BMWBMW reviewsCar ReviewsElectricMedium carsVideos

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 review (video)

As an automotive journalist, one often has to keep in mind that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which is an increasingly difficult task with some of BMW’s recent, questionable design choices.

All of that was forgotten when we first laid eyes on the 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35, in Skyscraper Grey. Here we find traditional and elegant BMW proportions, a subtle yet robust beltline and superbly executed glasshouse area, terminating with a fresh spin on the fabled Hoffmeister kink. That it offers more versatility by virtue of being a liftback is just the custard on the pudding.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad angle, with subtly buxom rear haunches flanked by tasty LED taillamps. While the large front grille treatment – borrowed from M3 and M4 – has courted some controversy, it somehow looks right with the longer roofline and lower visual mass of the Gran Coupe. At least more so than on other models. Even standing still, it oozes sex appeal in a way that no other electric car in its price range could hope to.

Right. That’s enough gushing over its looks. Is it good value for money? Does it drive like a BMW?

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Specifications

Battery: 70.2kWh lithium-ion
Output: 210kW / 400Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
Wheels: F: 18×8.5, 245/45 R: 18×9.0, 255/45
ANCAP: Four stars
Tare weight: 1990kg
Power-to-weight: 9.47:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (NEDC): 430km
Max charging rate AC/DC: 11kW/205kW
0-60km/h: 2.97 seconds*
0-100km/h: 5.72 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.70 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.07 seconds at 164.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.796g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.75m in 2.99 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.173g*
Decibel at idle (IconicSounds): 26*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 73*
Starting price: $85,900

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: How much does it cost?

The entry level version of the i4 range is priced from $85,900 before on-road costs. Being an electric car, it is not subject to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and is under the Luxury Car Tax threshold of $89,332. The i4 is available exclusively in five-door Gran Coupe style, with flush door handles offering a cleaner look than its two-door brethren. Our car also had the $3000 Enhancement package, which added a sunroof and seat heating.

A BMW Service+ package costs $2450 for six years/unlimited kilometres worth of servicing – significantly less than the ICE version. There’s also a five-year/ unlimited km warranty and 8 years roadside assistance.

In Australia, 663 units have been sold to the end of April 2024 (VFACTS), which actually beats out the ICE-engined 4 Series Gran Coupe (97 units) – which ranges from $93,700 to $129,000 before on-road costs. The i4 is one of BMW’s most popular EVs, globally.

2024 BMW i4-interior

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Interior & packaging

It’s easy to forgive a car’s shortcomings when it looks so good, but the Gran Coupe’s hatchback form factor actually imbues it with plenty of usable space inside. It measures 4783mm long, 1852mm wide and 1448mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2586mm, and 125mm of ground clearance.

This means it is surprisingly space-efficient, with rear seat room cleverly unimpeded by the tumbling roofline. Leg and shoulder room are commendable, too. This is a comfortable grand tourer for all occupants, although not quite as spacious as one of its main competitors; the Tesla Model 3.

Opening the electrically-operated tailgate reveals a useful 470L boot, extending to 1290L with seats folded. Those hoping for a usable frunk will be left in the lurch, however. Impressively for an EV, towing capacity is rated at 1600kg braked, or 750kg unbraked.

2024 BMW i4-boot

It’s mostly a 3 Series affair inside, with seamlessly integrated infotainment and IP panel reminiscent of the iX, configurable HUD, lovely textures and materials throughout, including knurled aluminium trim pieces, supportive seats and superbly textured injection-moulded dash plastic.

The only things that betray its base model status are a manually adjustable steering column and seats, but you still get extendable thigh support and they are very comfortable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly with the operating system, operational via voice, intuitive rotary iDrive controller or touch-screen.

2024 BMW i4-seats

The ten-speaker stereo system punches hard with crisp and delicate fidelity. Other highlights include wireless phone charging and digital radio, and detailed vehicle settings and live status menus. Ergonomics are brilliant and the arrangement of buttons is a neat and sophisticated affair.

The way the frameless doors shut with an authoritative thud is a satisfying affair in and of itself. The operation of the controls, and even the way the sunroof shuts on the freeway is reminiscent of a space capsule shutting its hermetically-sealed airlock. All this adds up to a car that feels special and gives you an ego boost you simply cannot get with, say, a Tesla Model 3.

2024 BMW i4-rear seats

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Powertrain & handling

Developing 210kW and 400Nm and fed by a 70.2kWh battery pack, the eDrive35 claims a 6.0-second bolt from 0-100km/h, which we actually exceeded with a time of 5.72 seconds in the real world. Terminal velocity is 190km/h.

The official NEDC 430km range rating is achievable. The quoted consumption rating of 16kWh/100km is eminently achievable as well – especially in Eco Pro mode. An impressive drag coefficient of 0.24 means freeway driving does not cause a notable penalty in efficiency.

The maximum DC charge rate is 205kW, with charging able to take as little as 32 minutes, according to BMW. With Type 2 and CCS capability, it is handy for most public charging outlets – consult PlugShare to find your nearest one. BMW also offers a $1199 wallbox with three-phase capability and up to 22kW of charging for compatible home electrical systems.

2024 BMW i4-charging

If you want more, the $133,900 M50 with 400kW and a 3.9-second sprint from 0-100km/h might be more your style, with all the requisite M Sport additions to boot.

Selectable B mode provides decent amounts of re-gen – almost like one pedal driving – and the adaptive re-gen function which works in conjunction with the cruise control is very effective – we’re unsure if this uses the GPS to optimise the balance between energy recuperation and momentum, but it often feels like it as it usually provides strong re-gen when approaching intersections.

2024 BMW i4-wheels

To review any BMW without a deep dive into driving dynamics would be haram, so we made sure to explore the full breadth of the i4’s abilities. Wearing 18-inch wheels shod with staggered Pirelli PZeros (245/45R18 front, 255/45 R18 rear), all the ingredients are there in terms of a wide track, low stance and communicative and direct steering.

The additional weight of the battery pack hinders that very delicate and confidence-inspiring balance you get from an ICE-engined BMW 3 or 4 Series – bear in mind the mass of this car is 1990kg compared with 1608kg for the petrol-powered 430i M Sport Gran Coupe – but only up to 9/10ths.

It remains truly confidence-inspiring up to that point, with the sidewalls progressively telegraphing their end of adhesion when pushed hard in a progressive manner. The car sits flat and unperturbed even at very high cornering speeds, with mid-corner steering adjustments doing nothing to upset composure. The rear always stays planted, even with camber changes and mid-corner bumps.

2024 BMW i4-Australia

Compared with an ICE-engined version, however, it does cede some cornering balance and weight distribution, catching you off guard with slight hints of push understeer on blind crests which wouldn’t upset a non-EV version. Luckily the brakes are excellent at washing off speed and re-establishing composure.

Overall, this would be a negligible difference to most and it remains a true BMW at its core and able to put a Cheshire Cat smile on your face.

The Hans Zimmer composed sound effects in Performance mode add an interesting sense of drama, without the contrivance of trying to emulate a normal petrol motor. You can, fortunately, turn it off as well.

2024 BMW i4-touchscreen

How safe is the 2024 BMW i4? The BMW i4 only managed a four-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2022. While scoring respectively for adult occupant protection, child occupant protection and vulnerable road user, with 87, 89 and 71 per cent, a 62 per cent safety assist score let it down – a 70 per cent score is required.

Nevertheless, the i4 has a comprehensive array of ADAS features with AEB with junction assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear-cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control with a very intuitive speed limiter function – probably the best of any car we’ve tested recently, able to quickly adjust the cruise speed to the posted limit.

Six airbags seems slightly behind the eight ball, with other manufacturers offering knee and centre front airbags, too. You can read the full ANCAP report here.

2024 BMW i4-headlights

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Key attractions/reasons to buy

  • Looks awesome: Clean lines and classic BMW proportions and details mean make this one of the last sexy BMWs – if you can live with the walrus grille.
  • Superb dynamics: It drives like a BMW should, with precious little compromise from to the weight of the electric drivetrain.
  • Good value for money: For a car of this calibre, we think the price is reasonable, especially once running costs are brought into the equation.
  • Practical form factor: It took BMW a while to nail the Gran Coupe/ Grand Tourer aesthetic but it has undeniably pulled it off with this, but the wide-opening hatch and spacious interior are the surprising cherry on top.

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Key considerations before you buy

  • No frunk: A potentially wasted opportunity here to increase the practicality of the car further still.
  • Extra weight and distribution noticeable: To those of us used to the obsessive balance of a conventional, petrol-powered BMW, this doesn’t quite hit the mark, but is still a commendable effort against its rivals.
  • We’d rather the M440i: At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for an inline-six and the lighter chassis of the 4 Series Gran Coupe. We also wish BMW would offer an M4 version of that car too, as it is the best looker to our eyes.

2024 BMW i4 eDrive35: Video

How does it rate against its rivals?
  • Price
  • Quality look & feel
  • Interior tech
  • Powertrain performance
  • Ride & handling
  • X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
4.3

Final word

Thankfully, this does not feel like a compliance car despite sharing its CLAR platform with other, combustion-engined models. Careful thought has been put into maintaining the dynamic goodness of the platform and the cost savings associated with the i4 relative to the regular 4 Series. You do not feel shortchanged in any way having gone with the electric version, save for a smidgeon of dynamic balance and extra heft. You’d be crazy not to put it on your shopping list if you want a prestige electric, sporty yet practical car that represents surprisingly good value.

Mitchell Jones

Eccentric car nut and just as enthused by roasting an egg on the air cleaner of an old Hemi as he is hunting the horizon in a space-age electric supercar, Mitchell's passion for motoring started at a young age. He soon developed a meticulous automotive obsession for obscure facts. He joins Driving Enthusiast as a features writer and car reviewer, following a near 10-year stint at PerformanceDrive.

Related Articles

Back to top button