The 2022 BMW i4 hasn't been a runaway success for the German automaker, even though it is a pretty decent car. Its drivetrain is unique in the electric car segment, the performance stands up to much more expensive competition, and it looks good, too. Then why hasn’t it been a bestseller in the segment? Here are all the reasons the BMW i4 warrants a closer look by EV shoppers looking for a more luxurious car, as well as the possible motives steering them away from what is perhaps the best value-for-money electric sedan on sale today.
The BMW i4 in Numbers
The 2023 BMW i4 is available in two trims: the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 and the more performance-oriented, all-wheel-drive M50 edition. The BMW i4 eDrive40 price starts at 55,900 dollars. This version comes with a single 335-horsepower, 318-pound-feet electric motor at the rear, which is good for a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 118 MPH. The 81-kWh battery pack offers up to 301 miles of range on the smaller 18-inch wheels, and can charge up to 109 miles in 10 minutes with DC fast charging.
Opt for the M50 and you’ll have to shell out at least $67,300, although this quickly increases with options. That extra cash gets you a more aggressive exterior and an extra motor powering the front wheels, resulting in a combined total of 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. BMW quotes a 3.7-second dash to 60 mph and a top speed of 130 mph. The same battery has to lug some extra weight around, and thus, the maximum range drops to 271 miles on the standard 19-inch wheels. The optional Cooling and High-Performance Tire Package gets your i4 wider rubber wrapped around 20-inch wheels to the rear, which reduces the range further to just 227 miles.
The interior is typically BMW, and screens take up most of the space in front of the driver. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central information display, and iDrive8 is available as standard.
Its Electric Motors Are More Ethically Sourced
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A big distinguishing factor between the BMW i4 and its competitors is the powertrain. Most EVs on the market today make use of brushless motors, which rely on permanent rare-earth magnets on their rotors. The big problems with sourcing these materials are that China controls most of the world’s reserves and there are difficulties exploring them ethically. This is, with effect, one of the major environmental issues affecting electric vehicles today. BMW, however, has opted to go a little more old-school with its approach, and selected AC synchronous technology for use with its drivetrains. These motors use electromagnets on both the rotor and stator. A set of brushes powers the rotor’s coils with electric current, which is what creates the necessary electromagnetic field. This configuration does away with rare-earth permanent magnets and all their associated problems, creating a more ethical product.
The i4 Has The Performance To Match Much Pricier Rivals
Those looking for performance should look no further than the i4. Even within BMW’s own range, the i4 M50 stands apart. Its acceleration challenges the M3, with Car and Driver clocking their M50’s dash to 60 in an incredible 3.3 seconds, which is two-tenths of a second faster than the same time for the M3 competition. And, that car starts at over $10,000 more than the M50.
But what about its main German sedan rivals? Well, the 516-horsepower Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC gets to 60 in 4.1 seconds. Then there are the 522-horsepower Audi e-tron GT and its Porsche Taycan 4S brother, which get to 60 in 3.9 seconds and 3.8 seconds, respectively. All those cars are slower than the M50 and start at upwards of $100,000, a considerable premium over BMW’s electric grand coupe. The eDrive40 model also makes a strong case for itself in the performance department, especially when it comes to bang-for-your-buck. It’s faster than a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+, which packs 329 horsepower and does the spring to 60 in 5.9 seconds, while, at 102,310 dollars, costs nearly twice as much. Of course, it doesn’t come with all the same bells and whistles, but those looking for an electric sedan with the most performance-per-dollar should strongly consider BMW’s offering.
Then Why Didn’t It Catch On?
But, if it’s so good, then why hasn’t the i4 been a huge success for BMW so far? A few issues spring to mind. Cannibalization between other models in the lineup might be part of it, with performance owners likely preferring the internal combustion-powered M3 sedan despite its higher price tag. Also, for a similar price customers can opt for the M440i Grand Coupe which is faster than the base eDrive40. Also, although its amazing electric drivetrain beats the M3 in a straight line, it’s a bit on the heavy side, with the M50 topping the scales at about 5,000 pounds. Maybe prospective owners worry about the handling of the i4, considering all that heft? Or perhaps there are concerns over the durability and maintainability of the electric motors and their brushes? Comfort might also be a factor. Although BMW explicitly calls this a five-seater, it’s unlikely that five grown adults will fit comfortably. Since it wasn’t built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, it still has to live with a space-sapping center transmission tunnel, which robs the rear users of some leg space.
Then there’s the fierce competition from the segment-leading Tesla Model 3. The rear-wheel-drive version of the Tesla 3 is a direct rival to the eDrive40, while the high-performance dual-motor setup is more of an M50 competitor. In both cases, the Tesla offerings come out much cheaper. At a base price of $46,990, the single-motor Tesla undercuts the eDrive40 by a whole 9,000 dollars. Meanwhile, at 3.1 seconds to 60 mph, its high-performance dual-motor setup is faster than the M50, while boasting considerably more range and being cheaper than the Bimmer. The i4 offers more luxury, considering the relatively bare-bones interior of the Tesla, which perhaps justifies its higher price tag.