BMW i4 Review: The Electric BMW That Finally Feels Like a BMW

You know that moment on a late-night highway when your car feels like it’s working against you? The droning engine, the constant search for a charger on your phone, the creeping range anxiety because your EV’s real-world range never matches the brochure. Or worse: you finally tried an electric car, but it felt like an appliance, not something you actually want to drive.

Thats the tension a lot of drivers are stuck in right now: you want to go electric, but you dont want to give up the feeling of a proper drivers car, the kind that makes you take the long way home just for the joy of it.

The question isnt just, Which EV has the biggest screen or the longest range? Its: Which EV actually feels like a car youd buy with your heart, not just your spreadsheet?

Thats where the BMW i4 comes in.

The BMW i4 is BMWs fully electric Gran Coupé that aims to fix one of the biggest problems with many EVs today: theyre efficient, fast, and tech-laden, but they dont always feel soulful. The i4 takes the familiar silhouette and driving attitude of a BMW 4 Series and swaps the engine for a battery and electric motors  without ditching the brands hallmark driving dynamics.

On paper, it competes with cars like the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and Mercedes EQE. On the road, it has a very different personality: calmer, more refined, less shouty tech demo and more long-distance companion.

Why this specific model?

The BMW i4 isnt BMWs first EV, but its the first one that feels instantly familiar to anyone whos ever loved a 3 or 4 Series. Its built on a platform shared with BMWs combustion models, which might sound like a compromise, but in practice its a strength: the seating position, the proportions, and the way the car flows down the road all feel like a proper BMW, just quieter and quicker.

From current official BMW data and recent road tests, heres how that translates into the real world:

• Electric range that actually works for daily life: Depending on the exact variant and wheel/tire setup, the BMW i4 offers a WLTP range of up to roughly the mid-500 km bracket (about 340+ miles). In real-world mixed driving, owners on forums and Reddit often report highway ranges that feel far closer to the brochure than many early EVs, especially at moderate speeds.
• Fast charging that doesnt leave you stranded: With DC fast charging capability (BMW quotes up to well over 100 kW on compatible chargers for the higher-output variants), the i4 can recoup a significant chunk of range in the time it takes you to grab a coffee. For actual owners, that means road trips become practical rather than stressful  you plan around rest stops, not full afternoons stuck at a charger.
• Performance that feels natural, not gimmicky: The sportier i4 variants deliver power outputs well north of 200 kW, with 060 km/h and 0100 km/h figures solidly in sports sedan territory. What reviewers highlight is the quality of that power delivery: smooth, linear, and paired with BMWs well-known chassis tuning. Its quick, but its not trying to snap your neck for YouTube likes.
• Gran Coupé practicality: The i4s four-door Gran Coupé body with a large hatch-style trunk opening makes it more useful than a traditional sedan. Fold down the rear seats and it turns into a surprisingly capable weekend gear hauler.
• Tech that supports, not overwhelms: Inside, you get BMWs curved display layout with a large central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, plus BMW Operating System with navigation, connected services, and EV-specific features like route planning with charging stops. Owners frequently praise the mix of physical controls (for core functions) with modern touch and voice input.

In other words: this isnt just a battery shoved into a sedan. Its BMW AG (ISIN: DE0005190003) bringing its familiar premium-sports DNA into the EV age.

At a Glance: The Facts

Here are the headline features of the BMW i4, translated into what they mean for you day-to-day. (Exact figures can vary by model variant, options, and market; always confirm with the official BMW configurator in your region.)

Feature	User Benefit
Fully electric Gran Coupé drivetrain	Zero tailpipe emissions and silent operation without giving up the look and feel of a classic BMW four-door coupé.
WLTP range up to the mid-500 km region (model-dependent)	Comfortable daily commuting plus long highway journeys with fewer charging stops and less range anxiety.
High-output electric motor(s) with strong kW/PS ratings	Instant torque for quick overtakes and confident merging, with acceleration on par with traditional BMW performance sedans.
DC fast charging capability on compatible stations	Rapid top-ups on road trips; a short coffee break can add substantial range, keeping total journey times competitive with combustion cars.
BMW Curved Display and BMW Operating System	Modern, high-resolution digital cockpit with seamless navigation, media, and EV-specific tools, plus over-the-air update potential in many markets.
Gran Coupé body with large tailgate	Sporty silhouette plus practical cargo access for luggage, strollers, or sports equipment.
Available driver assistance and safety systems (model- and option-dependent)	Support on long drives and in traffic, with features designed to reduce stress and enhance safety when used correctly.

What Users Are Saying

Look at Reddit threads and owner forums and a consistent pattern emerges around the BMW i4:

The praise:

• Driving feel: Many owners say the i4 is one of the few EVs that truly retains a drivers car personality. Steering weight, chassis balance, and highway stability frequently earn positive comments.
• Refinement and comfort: Users highlight low cabin noise, solid build quality, and long-distance comfort as standout traits, especially compared with some more minimalistic EV cabins.
• Real-world efficiency: While exact numbers vary wildly by climate and speed, several owners report pleasantly efficient consumption for a premium EV, particularly on suburban and mixed routes.
• Interior quality: Coming from Tesla or some newer EV brands, many drivers mention the i4s materials, seating, and switchgear feel more premium and familiar.

The criticism:

• Rear space and access: The sloping roofline looks great but can make rear headroom and ingress a little tight for taller passengers. If you regularly carry adults in the back, this is worth a test sit.
• Trunk depth vs. height: The hatch-style opening is practical, but some users note that the loading area is not as cavernous as a dedicated SUV or crossover EV.
• Pricing and options: On Reddit and forums, US and European buyers often point out that the base price is competitive, but desirable options and higher-spec variants can climb quickly into serious money.
• Infotainment learning curve: While many like the systems capability, some report it takes time to fully learn BMWs software layout and customization compared with simpler, more app-like UIs.

Overall sentiment skews strongly positive: for drivers who care about how a car feels as much as what it costs to run, the i4 is widely regarded as one of the most satisfying EVs to actually live with.

Alternatives vs. BMW i4

You dont shop the BMW i4 in a vacuum. Heres how it stacks up conceptually against some key rivals mentioned often in reviews and forums:

• Tesla Model 3: The Model 3 typically wins on raw charging network convenience in markets with extensive Supercharger coverage and often edges ahead in outright efficiency. However, many buyers find the BMW i4 more refined inside, with better perceived build quality, a more traditional driving position, and physical controls for essential functions.
• Polestar 2: The Polestar 2 aims at the same stylish, premium EV buyer. It offers Scandinavian design and Android Automotive built in. The i4 counters with a more classic luxury feel, a lower, sportier seating position, and chassis tuning that enthusiasts frequently prefer.
• Mercedes EQE / EQE SUV: Mercedes leans heavily into comfort and futuristic design, often with very smooth rides and dramatic interiors. The BMW i4 balances comfort with sharper handling and a more conventional sedan/Gran Coupé stance, appealing to those who still like a sporty edge.
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 / Kia EV6: These tend to undercut premium German brands on price and can offer impressive fast-charging performance. The i4s advantages are brand cachet, interior feel, and a chassis/driving experience that many reviewers say feels more honed and mature.

Where the BMW i4 really differentiates itself is in identity: it doesnt try to be a tech gadget first and a car second. It feels, unapologetically, like a BMW that happens to be electric. For a lot of drivers, thats the deciding factor.

Final Verdict

If youve been waiting for the moment when going electric stops feeling like a compromise, the BMW i4 is one of the clearest signs that were there.

It wont be the right answer for everyone. If you absolutely need an SUV, carry adults in the back every day, or want the lowest possible purchase price, there are better fits. But if what youre craving is:

• the calm of an EV,
• the character of a classic sports sedan, and
• the everyday usability of a premium Gran Coupé,

then the BMW i4 deserves a hard look and a long test drive.

On quiet back roads or long autobahn stretches, it feels like the future BMW fans were hoping for: not a science project, not a gimmick, but a car you connect with. You get the instant electric torque, the low running costs, and the clean conscience  without giving up the simple joy of a well-sorted drivers car.

If thats the gap youve been feeling every time you scroll through EV listings and think, None of these really feel like me, the BMW i4 might be the first electric car that finally does.