2026 BMW i4 eDrive40 Review

The BMW i4 has been around for a while and so it’s facelift time. There’s just one i4 variant offered now, the eDrive40, though it features more stuff, new ‘power electronics’ and a mild sprucing. The latter concerns a new finish for the faux grille, restyled peepers (with optional laser technology) and dark detailing. With ‘silicon carbide semiconductor components’ for the inverter, they say the i4 is a few percentage points better off in the efficiency stakes. This adds 22km to the range total, now at 542km. The other bits carry over, with an 80.5kWh NMC battery and rear-mounted 250kW/430Nm motor.

The BMW i4 isn’t going to appeal to the nerdy EV buyer after tech and gimmicks who will be asking where’s the 800V architecture, the self-driving widgets and the vehicle to load facility? Better to think of this as a conventional sedan with electric power. It’s for those that have come around to the idea of electric but want it delivered via a conventional approach.

Loves corners

With a single rear-mounted motor, the i4 is refined and effortless. But it’s not OTT with an overdose of power you’ll rarely use. Still it can hit motorway speeds in 5.6s. You’d buy the i4 because you like something that is dynamically sorted, because this certainly is. It’s a BMW through and through. It has a Sport mode, rather than those curious ‘moods’ more contemporary models have. And it’s accessed easily via a console-mounted button. This delivers more instant response, a slight firming of the standard-fit, adaptive M-sport dampers and a more resolute weighting at the wheel. Yet that doesn’t corrupt the response or feeling the steering has in the curves. The body control is well considered, taught though free of any harshness. And with its stern drive, you can rotate the rear end with a bit of throttle to help that cornering vibe. The brakes are reassuring too with a natural feel to the pedal. While not overtly sporty, it’s definitely a fine drive.

Easy going as well

As a commuter back in Comfort mode, it’s a refined executive mount. This has the usual effortless nature of a reasonably powerful EV. Adding convenience, there is an adaptive braking mode, slowing the BMW i4 autonomously in traffic, while there is also a B mode for a stronger regen effect, activated easily via the gear selector. 

As to economy, it’s rated at 17.8kWh/100km, though we were closer to the 21kWh mark. Still, that’s enough to get a week’s worth of commuting and weekend activities done without needing to charge. When you do plug in, it’ll suck back up to 205kW DC in ideal conditions, or 11kW via an AC wall box. 

The suspension is quite compliant, it even soaks up speed bumps quite well, and the turning circle’s okay. This has many of BMW’s usual convenience features; a good surround view camera and the reverse assistant to get you out of a tight spot. The active cruise with assisted drive makes light work of motorway travel, and when sat nav is engaged, the camera system projects the intersection ahead to the driver display, letting you know exactly where you should be. The head-up display on this machine is almost redundant.

BMW i4 – stylish and practical? 

You’ll buy the BMW i4 because it’s not an SUV, and be prepared to compromise a tad on ease of entry. You’ll appreciate the lower driving position, even if it feels a tad cramped in behind the wheel. You can’t have it both ways.

The layout is fairly traditional, everything where you’d expect it. The build quality is good, though the materials used feel ‘mass market’ these days, rather than premium. The seats are supportive, heated now too, as is the wheel. It’s not a big car, more of a four-seater as it’s tight with three across the back. There were many territorial disputes during the weekend between our kids. The fastback roof line also compromises entry. And the boot is a useful 470L with the facility to drop the seats to expand the space to 1290L. There’s no spare wheel, but it can tow, rated to 1600kg braked. EV aficionados will not like that it doesn’t have a froot.

This is easy to live with, and a good drive. The hard part is paying for it, listing at $124,900.  

BMW i4 eDrive40
$124,900  /  17.8kWh/100km  /  0g/km
0-100 km/h 5.6s
Motor  205kW / 430Nm
Battery / Range   80.5kWh / 542km
Drivetrain  1-speed auto / RWD
Weight  2125kg