BMW is getting good at building polished, driver-centric cars that happen to be electric. Viewing the EV option as a choice instead of a must makes the electric Bimmers more appealing. At a Glance The BMW i4 is part of the 4 Series sedan lineup, which includes several gasoline- and electric-powered models.
Gasoline models come in both two-door (Coupe) and four-door (Gran Coupe) formats plus a two-door convertible. The i4 is similar to the Gran Coupe, and for those with a performance bent, the sport-tuned M4 models have an electric counterpart in the M50. For those wondering, the electric BMW i4 is actually lower priced than is the gasoline model 430i.
Starting price is US$53,195 plus destination for the eDrive35 entry-level i4 compared to the $59,095 of the 430i. For this review, I drove the more expensive all-wheel drive xDrive40 model i4 with some options added for a total price tag of about $65,000 with delivery. The most compelling part of the i4, though, is its drive quality.
It’s a true BMW with a responsive feel and poised presence. If your inclination is to try to counter that with claims that your preferred EV is just as good, you aren’t the audience here. There’s a particular nuance and road-ready feel to a Bimmer, especially in coupes and sedans, that isn’t replicated elsewhere.
It’s not the same as the opulence of a Mercedes or the prim of a Jaguar. Tesla does not have the refinement and Audi, while coming close sometimes, is still too pushy. A good BMW .