Why Lease The i4?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
BMW i4 Review 2023
The BMW i4 is an all-electric Gran Coupe that's a good choice for those who want to go electric but don't want to sacrifice performance. Coming with exceptional on-the-road performance and a competitive electric range, the i4 provides a great electric driving experience.
Rivals to the BMW i4 include the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3.
BMW i4 Pros:
- Rapid performance
- Good range of technology
- Generous range
BMW i4 Cons:
- Rear passenger space is limited
- Steering could do with some improvement
- Rivals are less expensive
Our BMW i4 review covers:
BMW i4 Key Features:
- Large kidney front grille and swooping rear roofline
- High-quality interior with excellent technology
- 470-litre boot
- Two engines available: eDrive40 and M50
- Three trim levels: Sport, M Sport, and M
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The first thing you'll notice about the BMW i4 is its massive kidney front grille, which makes for quite a sight in your rear-view mirror. The grille is complemented by a swooping rear roofline and a well-sculpted rear end, making for an eye-catching appearance.
Those travelling in the front of the i4 shouldn't have any issues with interior space, there's plenty of leg and headroom for six-footers, and passengers are divided by a large centre console. However, those in the back are less fortunate, and anyone over six feet tall will find their head brushing against the roof.
For a sporty coupe, BMW has been generous with storage space. There's a large cubby under the centre console, generous door bins, and a big glove box.
Boot space comes in at 470 litres, which can be extended to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded 40/20/40. This configuration makes it easy to store long items and is also complemented by underfloor storage, perfect for its charging cables.
Interior and Trims
The interior of the i4 is seriously impressive; every single detail has been well thought out, and you can tell it's been built to last. All surfaces are pleasant to touch and have an upmarket feel, and the leather steering wheel is lovely to use when driving.
Technology is also excellent. You'll find a curved screen on the dashboard featuring the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The infotainment system is excellent to use and comes with exceptional graphics that are responsive and easy to use by using the rotary controller on the centre console. It features all the usual apps, such as sat-nav and smartphone mirroring.
Three trims are available in the BMW i4: Sport, M Sport, and M.
Entry-level Sport comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, Sports seats, a Sport leather steering wheel, Steptronic automatic transmission with shift paddles, automatic air conditioning, a reversing assist camera, and park distance control for the front and rear.
M Sport adds to this with aerodynamic wheels, a heat pump for increased efficiency and pre-temperature setting, a fast-charging cable for public charging, and cruise control with brake function.
M completes the range with 19-inch M light alloy wheels, an M aerodynamic package, BMW's IconicSounds electric, an xDrive all-wheel drive system, sport boost, adaptive M suspension, and variable sport steering.
Power and Performance
Two engine options are available for the i4: the eDrive40 and the M50. They both come with an 83.9kWh battery and, as expected, are paired with an automatic transmission.
The entry-level rear-wheel drive eDrive40 is our pick of the bunch. Coming with a power output of 335bhp, a top speed of 114mph, and an acceleration from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, it's powerful enough for most drivers. The eDrive 40 also produces the best range, having an official range of 367 miles, which is further than the Tesla Model 3.
If you're looking for more power, the M50 certainly provides it. Adding another motor to the front wheels, it has a power output of 536bhp and can achieve 0-62mph in a rapid 3.9 seconds! However, for the boost in performance official range decreases to 318 miles.
Although the i4 accelerates freakishly fast, it's adaptable when on the road. In normal traffic, driving is smooth and controlled, and when you up it to motorway speeds, performance kicks in, making for an exciting experience.
However, on twisty roads, a couple of chinks in the armour of the i4 are exposed. There's a noticeable amount of body lean, and it doesn't feel nimble when tackling a tight turn. This can be traced back to the i4's weight, which is why the single-motor eDrive40 provides better agility.
The i4 comes with standard automatic air conditioning, making tackling bumps and potholes an absolute breeze at around-town speed. If you choose the M50, the suspension gets upgraded to adaptive suspension, which is excellent and tackles most obstacles with ease.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new BMW i4 start from £49,090.00 OTR* or to lease from £521.64 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of a BMW i4? Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase thanks to a low initial deposit, fixed monthly payments, and a range of benefits included, such as breakdown cover and road tax.
Nationwide Vehicle Contacts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.