2023 BMW i4

Overview

The all-electric BMW i4 sedan is an important piece of BMW’s expanding EV portfolio. It offers the style of the 4-series Grand Coupe with a battery powertrain and highly refined road manners. There are two distinct i4 flavors: The first, the single motor rear-drive eDrive40, produces 335 horsepower and is as mild as it gets. It delivers an EPA-rated 300 miles of range. That figure drops to 245 miles in the spicy, all-wheel-drive, 536-hp i4 M50. The latter drives like a better-riding M3, which is a mega compliment. The M50 reaches 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds than an M3 Competition, and it can jump from 50 to 70 mph in just 2.0 seconds—0.7 seconds quicker than the Bimmer. When not performing ab-exercising acceleration runs, the i4 is an admirable daily driver. Although it lacks the steering feedback we prefer in other M cars, it’s an exciting and refined sedan with a supple ride and deeply satisfying sports-sedan handling.

What’s New for 2023?

As the BMW i4 debuted just last year, the 2023 i4 receives only minor options changes. BMW’s M 50 Years special emblems are offered on the i4 M50. The 18-inch M Bi-color Midnight Grey wheels with all-season tires are no longer offered. The Iconic Sounds Electric option— which enables a variety of synthesized sounds played through the car’s speakers and coordinated with its acceleration—will be sold separately from the Premium package.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We prefer the higher-performance M50 over the less expensive–and less powerful–eDrive 40. The M-badged model comes standard with a more assertive appearance that includes 19-inch wheels. It also has a beautifully tuned suspension that revels in aggressive driving but is calm and comfortable around town. Upgraded brakes with blue calipers are also included on the M model. We like the look of the optional 20-inch rims and the improved performance of their wider, stickier tires, but they drop the M50’s estimated driving range from 270 to 227 miles. We’d enhance the interior with one of the vernasca leather options, the Premium package (ambient interior lighting, heated seats and steering wheel, lumbar support), and individual options such the adaptive LED headlights, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, and wireless charging.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The 2023 i4 feeds electrons to either one or two electric motors, depending on the model. The eDrive40 features a single motor on the rear axle that makes 335 horsepower. The M50 has an electric motor on both axles, which together provide all-wheel drive and produce 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet. The M50 we tested hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, which is quicker than a rear-drive M3 Competition. The rear-drive i4 rolls on a standard set of 18-inch rims; 19-inchers are optional. Conversely, the all-wheel-drive M50 is fitted with either 19s or 20s, and it has adaptive dampers and a variable-ratio steering system. The i4 M50 that we drove delivered immediate and forceful thrust, and even though it weighs considerably more than an M3, its lower center of gravity helps it move assuredly and gracefully.

More on the i4 Sedan

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

BMW says the single-motor, rear-drive i4 eDrive40 has the ability to travel up to around 300 miles on a full battery. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive M50 has the same 81.5-kWh battery, but its claimed range tops out at 245 miles. The i4 is also said to have a 200-kilowatt charging capacity that can add between 88 and 108 miles in just 10 minutes. Using the Level 2 (up to 11 kW) onboard charger, the i4 can recharge its battery from zero to 100 percent in less than 8 hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

According to the EPA, the most efficient i4 model is the eDrive40 with the standard 18-inch wheels. That model earned ratings of 109 MPGe city and 108 MPGe highway. Adding the larger 19-inch wheels drops those figures slightly, and the more powerful M50 model is rated lower too. Once we get an i4 for testing, we’ll take it on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and determine its real-world efficiency. For more information about the i4’s efficiency ratings, visit the EPA website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the i4’s cabin is richly appointed, including the availability of rose gold trim, white leather upholstery, and light wood trim. The general layout is similar to what’s seen in other BMW models, but the i4–along with the all-electric iX SUV–is the first to have a massive, seamless display that spans almost two-thirds of the dashboard. The four-door i4 has a dramatic rear roofline that imitates a coupe-like profile, but it has a traditional trunk in the back.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The i4 is one of the first BMWs to feature the company’s latest infotainment system and connectivity features. Called iDrive 8, it operates through a 14.9-inch touchscreen that’s integrated with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel on a huge curved display on the dashboard. Along with a rotary controller on the center console, the system offers advanced voice commands and myriad popular features. These include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2023 i4 offers a variety of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Bimmer’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW currently offers a competitive warranty that includes one of the better complimentary maintenance periods.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2022 BMW i4 M50

Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE

Base/As Tested: $66,895/$76,670

Options: High Performance package, $2500; Driver Assistance package, $1700; BMW Curved Display with head-up display, $1000; Adaptive LED headlights, $1000; Premium package, $950; Harman/Kardon sound, $875; Parking Assistance package, $700; Brooklyn Gray metallic paint, $550; Personal 5G eSim, $300; Wireless charging, $200

POWERTRAIN

Rear Motor: synchronous AC, 308, 295 lb-ft hp

Combined Power: 536 hp

Combined Torque: 586 lb-ft

Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81.5 kWh

Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW

Transmissions: direct-drives

CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink

Tires: Pirelli P Zero Elect PZ4

Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc

F: 255/35R-20 97Y ★

R: 285/30R-20 99Y ★

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 112.4 in

Length: 188.5 in

Width: 72.9 in

Height: 57.0 in

Passenger Volume: 90 ft3

Cargo Volume: 10 ft3

Curb Weight: 5063 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 3.3 sec

100 mph: 8.0 sec

1/4-Mile: 11.7 sec @ 120 mph

Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.

Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.5 sec

Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec

Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.0 sec

Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft

Braking, 100–0 mph: 308 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.97 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 83 MPGe

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/City/Highway: 80/79/80 MPGe

Range: 227 mi

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs