AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS9/10
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FEATURES7/10
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POWER9/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL7/10
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FUEL ECONOMY9/10
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VALUE8/10
The 2024 BMW i4 has earned plenty of well-deserved hype since its launch.
Think of this as a trendier version of the 3 Series sedan that shares its front and rear-end design with the 4 Series – only this i designation indicates it’s all-electric. The i4 xDrive40 tested here joins existing rear-wheel-drive variants and opens the door to all-wheel traction without having to spring for the more expensive i4 M50.
Styling: 8/10
The i4’s design isn’t for everyone. BMW has been dragged through the mud for its oblong snout that polarized the entire planet. And while I might take a lot of flak for this take, I actually don’t mind the look. [Fear not: Kunal has been referred to a local optometrist. – Ed.]
The rest of the car is classic sport sedan with a coupe-like profile, taut body lines, a long hood and a short rear deck – staples of small-ish BMWs for years. The shape cleverly hides the fact that it’s a liftback sedan with a nice and big cargo space under its hatch.
BMW interiors have always been a bit more serious and businesslike than what you find in a Mercedes-Benz, for example, and the same is true for the i4’s cabin. Every version gets a large double-wide curved panel that houses two separate screens for the instrumentation and infotainment.
Power: 9/10
With dual electric motors producing a combined 396 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, the i4 xDrive40 packs a wallop. And while it’s not quite as much as the M50 version offers, it’s difficult to fathom a situation where you’d need more.
BMW’s factory estimated zero-to-100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds seems awfully conservative, especially since independent tests have clocked the single-motor eDrive40 at under five seconds when scampering to 60 mph (96 km/h). The forces applied to your torso under full acceleration also suggest that the xDrive40 gains speed at a pace which essentially puts BMW’s gasoline equivalents out to pasture.
It’s remarkably easy to move very quickly in the i4 with zero learning curve. Just stomp on the accelerator while the computers sort everything out, and you’ll be gone in the blink of an eye. The Hans Zimmer acceleration soundtrack playing through the speakers isn’t all that bad, either.
Driving Feel: 7/10
Electric vehicles (EVs) might be champions of acceleration, with handling and driving feel falling to the wayside There are a few exceptions, but those pesky laws of physics always seem to get in the way – mainly when it comes to how much they weigh. The dual-motor i4 M50 weighs in at 2,290 kg (5,048 lb), while the single-motor eDrive40 sits at 2,125 kg (4,684 lb). Without official weight figures for this version, it would be fair to surmise that it sits somewhere in between those two.
Regardless of numbers it’s a lot of weight, and that directly affects handling. But in this case, it isn’t as much as you might think. BMW has tuned the i4 to feel light and playful. The steering, while numb, is precise and the weighting is spot-on. Body motions are beautifully controlled, there’s a ton of grip (even with winter tires), and it feels rear-driven under power. The i4 xDrive40 can be hustled through bends and highways on ramps with the same level of confidence you get from its 3 Series sedan, which has always been a benchmark in its segment.
The brakes are another strong point, with a firm and linear pedal feel. There’s little indication of the transition from regenerative to mechanical brakes but it’s here that you really feel the weight of the i4 – especially under heavy pedal pressure. On a winding road, however, this EV is more fun than most.
Comfort: 8/10
Not as stiff as the i4 M50, the xDrive40 strikes a great balance between ride and handling. It has front struts and rear air suspension like every i4 but doesn’t get the adaptive dampers from the M50.
At highway speed the i4 is stable and planted, and the supportive seats with adjustable thigh cushions are some of the best in the business. Rear seating is comfortable for two – not so much for 3.
Fuel Economy: 9/10
For a heavy, luxury-focused EV, the i4 is remarkably efficient even in cold weather thanks to its standard heat pump and a low drag coefficient of just 0.24 allowing it to slice through the wind. During testing, this i4 averaged 20.0 kWh/100 km over a week with early winter ambient temperatures.
Factory range for the 2024 i4 xDrive40 is 494 km, but that’s under ideal conditions. It uses the same 81.1-kWh (usable) battery pack that’s in the i4 eDrive40 and M50.
Safety: 8/10
The i4 comes with a whole range of standard safety and driver-assistance technology that includes collision warning, traffic sign information, and lane departure warning. An optional advanced driver assistance package adds active cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, evasive steering assist, and much more.
Features: 7/10
Cold-weather drivers will be pleased to know that the i4 comes standard with a heat pump that works for both heating and cooling the cabin. The electric motors BMW uses for the i4 are rare-earth metal free, its battery cells are made using 100 per cent green energy, and many of its components are made with recycled and natural materials. The i4 also gets a standard rear-axle air suspension, and the curved twin displays look and feel high end.
Practicality: 9/10
The i4 is even more practical than a 3 Series sedan thanks to its liftback design hiding a large 470-L cargo area. There’s seating for as many as five occupants, although four will be more comfortable. There are quite a few places to stash the stuff in your pockets, like generous door pockets and lots of centre console storage.
The i4 can also charge at speeds as fast as 205 kW when plugged into a DC fast-charger, which means you can see a 10-to-80 per cent charge in just 31 minutes.
User-Friendliness: 9/10
iDrive, BMW’s infotainment software, has always been one of the best systems of its kind on the market. BMW was the first to introduce the rotary controller, and the brand still does it better than any other. The touchscreen system features gorgeous visuals, snappy response times, and an intuitive menu structure that negates the need to dive into a thick owner’s manual just to figure out the basics.
There are also no obvious clues inside the cabin that give away the fact the i4 is an EV. The start button is blue, and there’s a blue ring around the BMW symbol on the steering wheel, but that’s it. It couldn’t be simpler for someone new to EVs.
Value: 8/10
The rear-wheel-drive i4 eDrive40 is priced from $61,390, and this more powerful all-wheel-drive version starts at $69,900. Prices jump very quickly as options are added, but they also compare favourably to BMW’s gasoline equivalents. Relative to the 3 Series, this is a bit of a bargain and is a better choice when compared to the Tesla Model 3, whose quality and drive feel doesn’t come close to what BMW offers.
Verdict
It’s easy to say the 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 variant is another home run EV for the company; and while that might be true, it comes at a time when EV sales in general are in a bit of a slump. However, the i4 is so good – and so much better than its gasoline equivalent – that it should absolutely be put at the top of any shopping list for a fun new sedan. The fact that you can now get an all-wheel-drive i4 without having to spring for the ballistic and pricier M50 is just icing on the cake.
| Engine Displacement | 295 kW |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Dual electric motors, 81.1 kWh battery |
| Peak Horsepower | 396 hp |
| Peak Torque | 443 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | 2.2 / 2.1 / 2.2 Le/100 km, 19.5 / 18.9 / 19.2 kWh/100 km cty/hwy/cmb; 494 km est. range |
| Cargo Space | 470 L / 1,290 L seats down |
| Model Tested | 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 |
| Base Price | $69,900 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,480 |
| Price as Tested | $87,780 |
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Optional Equipment
$15,300 – Premium Enhanced Package, $9,250; M Sport Pro Package, $2,500; Advanced Driver Assistance Package, $2,000; Sunset Orange Metallic, $900; Aluminum Mesh Trim, $250; Black exterior contents, $400
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