2022 BMW i4

The 2022 BMW i4 is BMW’s first luxury sedan. From its sleek looks—aside from its controversial, size-XL double-kidney grille—to a plush and technically adept interior, the i4 is essentially an electric version of the existing 4-Series Gran Coupe. 

But instead of a trusty BMW six-cylinder engine, the i4 offers a choice of a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive eDrive 40 model with 335 horsepower or the barnstorming i4 M50, with 536 all-wheel-drive horsepower from a pair of powerful electric motors. 

The i4 delivers stiff new competition to the Tesla Model 3 with decisively more style, luxury and performance than the Tesla, albeit at a higher price. It matches it in interior space and cargo room, but the Tesla still beats it with longer range than the single-motor’s 301 miles. 

That i4 M50 is actually faster in a straight line than BMW’s renowned, gas-powered M3 and M4 models. The M50 starts from $66,895, or $59,395 after a tax credit—just $400 more than an unleaded-drinking M440i Gran Coupe with 154 fewer horsepower. The i4 M50’s adaptive suspension combines a supple ride with outstanding all-weather traction and control. Regenerative brakes are especially strong and sensitive, with a welcome range of driver-selectable settings. 

Buyers who prioritize value and range should consider the eDrive 40 that starts from $56,395, or $48,895 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. Driving range drops to 270 miles for the racy M50, and all the way to 227 miles with optional 20-inch summer tires. 

A rich cabin is highlighted by thickly bolstered sport seats, a full roster of BMW luxury and tech options, and BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system. That’s best explored via the optional Curved Display ($1,000) that joins a pair of generously sized screens. Rear seat space is modest, but acceptable for a pair of average-sized adults. Versus a conventional 4-Series Gran Coupe, all those batteries below the floor take a slight bite out of cargo space. Still, with rear seats folded, the i4 is notably roomier than any hatchback rival, including the electric Polestar 2. 

Performance: 14/15

Dial up automated launch control, or squeeze the accelerator, and the BMW accelerates more like a supercar than any conventional sedan. The AWD i4 M50 blitzes 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds, aided by a Sport Boost function that maximizes electric thrust for up to 10 seconds. It generates a shocking 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. The rear-wheel drive eDrive40 hits 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

With a curb weight of just over 5,000 pounds, the i4 M50 isn’t as agile as a gas-driven M3 or M4, yet it’s still a blast to drive, with remarkable levels of traction and confidence. That’s aided by a low center of gravity from the 83.9 kilowatt-hour battery below the floor. 

Acceleration is accompanied by a (surprisingly pleasing) digital backing track, courtesy of film composer Hans Zimmer, but owners are welcome to shut the sound off and drive in blissful silence. Powerful, progressive-feeling regenerative brakes are a highlight, including a “B” setting for one-pedal driving and an ingenious Adaptive mode that adjusts regen levels based on surrounding traffic and road conditions. 

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 13/15

The more economical eDrive 40 model is rated at a frugal 109 MGEe (109 city/108 highway) on standard 18-inch wheels. The zestier i4 M50 manages 99 MPGe (100 city/98 highway) on standard 19-inch alloy wheels. 

The single-motor eDrive 40 also ekes out more range, up to 301 miles. The i4 M50 is rated for 270 miles of range, but a more-challenging 227 miles with optional 20-inch, Pirelli high-performance tires. That said, the BMW has proven it can easily exceed EPA range ratings in real-world driving—by a good 20 to 30 miles when driven gently. So owners should find some extra wiggle room. 

The BMW can also charge at over 200 kW, adding from 88 to 108 miles of range in 10 minutes on the most-powerful DC fast chargers. During our test, on a 150 kW Electrify America charger, the i4 M50 stuffed its battery from 6% to 80% full in a swift 32 minutes. 

The i4’s range falls in between the Model 3 and Polestar 2 with the single-motor version besting the Polestar’s 280 miles of range.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

The BMW’s outstanding regenerative brakes provide a real assist in myriad driving situations, including a clever Adaptive setting that monitors traffic and road conditions and adjusts regenerative braking accordingly. 

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane keeping assist. An optional $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional package on the M50 brings BMW’s advanced driving assistance system, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, and active cruise control with stop-and-go function and active lane keeping. 

The i4 has not been crash tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which lost it points in our evaluation.

Comfort and Room: 13/15

Combine comfortable and supportive sport seats, luxurious materials and whisper-quiet electric propulsion, and the i4 becomes a terrific partner for daily commutes or long interstate drives. A $950 Premium Package adds heated front seats. Drivers are free to shut off the BMW’s “IconicSounds,” a digital powertrain tune created by movie composer Hans Zimmer, to maximize the peace-and-quiet. 

Because of its conventional car platform that’s shared with the 4-Series Gran Coupe, the i4’s vestigial transmission tunnel does steal some backseat space, making it a tough sell for three rear passengers. Still, a pair of 6-foot tall adults can settle in nicely. A roomy center console, glovebox and door pockets aid storage of smaller items. 

The i4’s backseat legroom is 34.2 inches, a hair more squished than the Tesla’s 35.2, but a touch roomier than the Polestar’s 33.9 inches.

Infotainment: 13/15

As the avatar of more-progressive electric BMWs, the i4 adopts the company’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system. It’s one of the smoothest and easiest-to-operate systems in the luxury ranks, especially for people already familiar with previous iDrive systems. It presents especially well on BMW’s Curved Display that merges a sharp new 12.3-inch driver’s instrument panel with a 14.9-inch center touchscreen. 

Users can also rely on the console rotary controller or a solid range of voice commands. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system also brings better sensor fusion for advanced driving functions and offers an optional color head-up display with an especially generous viewing area. 

One downside is the integration of climate controls along the screen’s lower edge, which are clumsier to use than the previous dashboard switches. 

Cargo Space & Storage: 10/15

BMW’s decision to build the i4 on the same vehicle architecture as the 4-Series Gran Coupe has pros and cons. The biggest con may be cargo space, with the i4 fitting 10 cubic-feet of gear behind its rear seats, compared to 16.6 in its 4-Series Gran Coupe cousin. That said, the i4 swallows more luggage in real-world use than the official figure might suggest. There’s also no front storage “frunk” below the hood, even in the rear-wheel drive model. The eDrive 40 has no electric drive motor up front. Oh, well.

That said, the i4 can be a surprisingly useful hauler. Drop the rear split-folding seats and there’s a sprawling 45.6 cubic-feet of hatch storage, virtually identical to the 4-Series Gran Coupe, 7 more cubic-feet than the electric Polestar 2.

Styling: 8/10

The critical and visual focus is on the i4’s overscaled, vertically oriented grille. That feature aside, the i4 is a handsomely wrought sedan with a swoopy roofline that attracts its share of curbside attention and compliments. 

In models with darker paint colors especially, the twin-kidney grille blends in surprisingly well, becoming largely a non-issue. Overall, the i4 largely mimics the styling of its 4-Series Gran Coupe sibling, but the more streamlined design makes it the most aerodynamic BMW yet. 

Performance options boost drama and price alike, from the i4 M50’s High Performance package ($2,500) that includes 20-inch M Wheels, to a $2,800 package that slathers carbon fiber trim on the body. 

Is the 2022 BMW i4 Worth it? Which i4 is the Best Value? 

Buyers who don’t favor the pedestrian looks or plain interior of a Model 3 may see the i4 as a worthy step up, with its marked edge in design, craftsmanship and luxury. 

If range and price are top priorities, the eDrive 40 version, with rear-wheel-drive and 335 horsepower is the way to go: It starts from $48,895 (after a $7,500 federal tax credit), just $3,000 more than a base-model, gasoline-powered 430i Gran Coupe. Yet the M50 is also a solid value by luxury standards, a 536-horsepower Autobahn rocket with zero tailpipe emissions, for a post-credit price of $59,395. 

Either way, keep a close eye on BMW options. A generously stuffed M50 can soar past $75,000 in post-credit pricing. 

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 BMW i4?

The i4 should cost as much to insure as most of its electric peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium around $2,199, though this averages all 50 states. The i4 is new, however, so based on our research it should align with other similar EVs. A Tesla Model 3 owner might pay $2,384 per year, while the Polestar 2 is around $2,500 and the Jaguar I-Pace is $2,522. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.