The 2023 BMW i4 is a comfortable and spacious EV with good real-world range and impressive in-car tech. However, it lacks standout design and features and has a relatively high base price with middling standard equipment. While it offers a premium feel and overall comfort, the lack of value may be a deterrent for some.
Part of the first i4 generation introduced for 2022
What is the i4?
Looking all the world like a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, the i4 offers the same comfortable interior and sporty driving dynamics but with an emissions-free electric powertrain. This all-electric four-door sedan is available in two trim levels. The entry-level eDrive40 uses a single rear-mounted electric motor to put out 335 horsepower and offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 301 miles. The high-performance M50 trim level packs two motors, one on each axle, to produce a stout 536 hp and offers a max range of 270 miles per the EPA. An M50 with an estimated range of 227 miles overachieved on our real-world EV test, going 268 miles.
Because the i4 was only just introduced last year, we don't expect BMW to change anything of consequence on its electric sedan. At most, we could see a new wheel design and maybe a regrouping of options, but by and large, the i4 should remain the same for 2023.
The elephant in the room, or in the EV segment, in Tesla. Offering healthy power and range and some of the latest technology, the Model 3 has set the pace for the segment. Other EVs similar to the i4 are the Polestar 2, the Kia EV6 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Kia and the Ford might resemble crossovers more than sedans, but they are similar to the BMW in capabilities and range, as well as price.
Edmunds says
The BMW i4 offers more mainstream styling than most EVs and maintains BMW's high standard for sport sedans. Whether you choose the more standard but still capable eDrive40 or want to experience the thrills offered by the M50, the i4 is as competitive as any EV in the segment, even if it is a little more expensive. Since we don't expect any major changes for 2023, now is as good a time as any to take one for a test drive.
246 milesThe range for a used 2023 BMW i4 is estimated to be 246 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 246 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Tempe, Arizona. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
8 hrs
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
Estimated battery warranty remaining is 6 years or 72,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
$100
Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.
Restrictions: Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Edmunds visitors receive a $100 discount when they contract with Treehouse for their home charger installation. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn moreEdmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
In 2020 we built a new net-zero house with a 15 kW solar array, so when the lease on our 2019 Honda CR-V ended, we shopped for an EV to replace it. We tested the Model Y, Mach-E, ID.4, EV6, Ioniq 5, BMW iX, and BMW i4, settling on an i4 eDrive 40 with the M-Sport package. This was a big step for us not only in the switch to an EV, but also because it replaced an AWD SUV (our other car is … a 2018 Audi S4). We chose the i4 based on driving dynamics, range, and build quality, figuring that the large hatchback would manage 99% of the hauling tasks of an SUV or wagon. We chose the RWD i4 based on better range and driving dynamics than the AWD i4 M50. Living on the south coast of MA, winters are mild so we anticipated that RWD and the OEM all-season (i.e., no season) tires would be sufficient all year round, particularly as we have the S4 with an 18" winter wheel and tire package for those few days when RWD might be dicey.
I love performance cars, which is the i4 emphatically not, but it is so rewarding to drive that I hardly use the S4 anymore. The dynamics are quite good. Steering unsurprisingly lacks feel but is accurate with crisp turn-in and good centering (we got the dynamic steering option). We got the M-Sport package as that was the only way to get adaptive dampers. The car corners fairly flat and comfort mode hits an excellent balance between absorbing bumps while limiting excess body motion. The car can hustle and has decent grip on the OEM Pirelli P Zeros, but the 4680-pound curb weight makes it more of a luxury cruiser than a sport sedan, despite the pretense. Given that weight, we opted for the uprated brakes, but they hardly ever get used since the regen works so well. At least the brake pedal feel is good and the transitions from regen to mechanical braking are imperceptible. The single motor i4 has more than adequate acceleration (high 4 to low 5 sec 0-60 according to reviews) and has the typical EV benefit of instant torque that makes merging on highways or passing bicycles on country roads easy.
The interior build quality and feel are great, and the car is very quiet on the road. We got the Harmon Kardon sound system and it's worth the money, particularly with the minimal background noise. This is the first car I've owned where listening to classical music is worthwhile. The interior downsides are the center tunnel (this is a dual-purpose ICE/EV platform) and limited rear passenger leg and headroom. Not a problem for us with no kids or dogs but could deter many. The hatch works well, and the car can easily haul a bicycle or all our trash & recycling for the dump run.
The iDrive 8 infotainment system is on par with better end of those in EVs we tested (ID.4 the worst) but the lack of physical buttons for some functions is irritating. My biggest gripe is with turning on the seat heaters (at least the steering wheel has a one-level physical button) and the lack of physical audio preset buttons. Voice control works well but is too laggy for flipping between Sirius XM channels. The graphic quality of the display is excellent, and we haven't had any issues with using it in bright sun or at night. The HUD works well and shows next turn instructions from Waze via Android Auto. Seeing Waze guidance on the HUD was intermittent at first, but now realizable. Maybe an OTA update fixed it? We initially optioned dynamic cruise control and 360-degree parking camera, but those became unavailable as the wiring harnesses were made in Ukraine. Damn Putin!
A downside of the M-Sport package is that it only comes with staggered width 19" wheels. Those large contact patches cost about 7% of range compared to the 18s on the base e40. Given the way we drive the car, I'd happily give up some grip for better range. Despite big wheels, the car has been more efficient than we expected. Our solar array makes more power than the house uses, and MA has net metering, so we have paid nothing for charging over the first 20,000 miles of use (October 2022 through December 2024). When the weather is good (no rain, temps in the high 40s to low 70s) we routinely see 3.8 to 4.2 mi/kWh or better in mixed driving that's about 80% highway. Average mi/kWh since factory now sits at 3.9. It loses 20-30% of range in cold weather. Still, there is enough capacity (81.5 kWh) that even in the worst conditions I can make my once a week 150-mile round trip commute while keeping the state of charge between 80-20%. I believe that it beats the EPA rated range 282-mile range in ideal conditions. Since we bought the car outright, I'm trying to keep the SOC in the 80-20 range. So far, I have avoided DC fast charging. For longer trips, particularly in foul weather, we use the S4.
When I started looking at EVs I never imagined buying one built on an ICE platform, but the test drive sealed the deal for the i4. Something about the low center of gravity, very quiet cabin, and nicely balanced suspension makes the i4 driving experience feel like a much more expensive luxury car. Despite being a petrol-head and former amateur motorcycle road racer, the peak i4 driving experience for me is serenely wafting along in that comfortable and quiet cabin, listening to music, and eking out the highest mi/kWh I can. It's fun to try and maximize coasting and then judge the regen invoked by moving the drive selector from D to B so the car stops at a light or intersection without touching the brake. Another benefit of being inside the car is not having to look at its godawful nose. At least it has a low coefficient of drag. The i4 might not appeal to a wide audience, but for us it's near perfect. I'd give it five stars if we could have got the dynamic cruise and parking assist features.
The first scheduled maintenance was at 36,000 miles based on 2-year interval (otherwise 40K). It was relatively trivial, except that the rear tires needed replacement. I doubt the brakes will need anything for the first 100,000 miles since I mostly slow with regen, and it's great not having to pay for oil & filter changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, or spark plugs & timing belts.
The negatives are minor so far. The M steering wheel is too thick and the metal trim on its spokes are cold in winter and take a long time to warm up despite the heated wheel. The outside doorhandles are oddly designed, making it easy for your hand to slide off when trying to open them. The blind spot warning lights in the side mirrors are too small and peripherally placed to be ideal. Our Audi S4 has big warning lights in the side mirror bezel that is much better, but the mirror placement in i4 wouldn't allow it. The back of the car is a dirt magnet. Not sure if that's got to do with aerodynamics, but it never stays clean the and the rear-facing camera lens requires frequent cleaning in winter. That's about all I have to complain about so far (2 years and 38,000 miles).
Ultimate EV Driving Machine
5 out of 5 stars
Razvan Simonica, 11/09/2022
2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
I have owned the BMW i4 now for 2 weeks and it has not disappointed. The comfort level is outstanding and battery distance is unbelievable 300+ miles. It rides so nice and have receive multiple compliment on the choice of color, the San Remo Green. If anyone is contemplating an EV and wants something other than the same old Tesla I would highly recoutaki g a look at this beauty.
I love my 2023 i4 eDrive40
5 out of 5 stars
Mick1969, 12/28/2022
2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
I got very lucky in that someone had backed out on their VERY well spec'd 2023 I4 eDrive40 in late Dec 22. It has everything I want and only missing what I don't want (such as parking assistance).
This car is fast, smooth, comfortable and relaxing to drive. The Harmon Kardon is the best I've heard in a car (I've owned many, many BMWs) and dare I compare the sound to the Bowers and … Wilkins? It sounds that good. And the hatchback is just awesome!
Two thumbs up on this well built, good looking EV. Some of the comments made by the two testers are wrong (such as the cons - they shouldn't compare the engagement to an ICE vehicle), but they're entitled to make those type of comments.
My 4th and Best BMW
5 out of 5 stars
Brian - Seattle, Washington , 12/09/2023
2023 BMW i4 M50 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
After owning 3 BMW M sport models starting in 1997, in 2022 I decided to order my first EV,. My 2023 Portimao Blue I4 M50 arrived in February 2023. After driving it for 10 months I rate this the BEST BMW I have owned. With 536 hp it out performs any of my previous BMW’s and has the best road manners. I love my I4 M50
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 BMW i4, so we've included reviews for other years of the i4 since its last redesign.
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