The 2022 BMW i4 is successfully a fully-electric 4 Sequence Gran Coupe. It’s simply essentially the most regular electrical automobile BMW has supplied up but, as each the outgoing i3 and incoming iX are hardly what anybody would contemplate “the norm.” In the meantime, the i4 may simply be mistaken for a gas-powered BMW for those who don’t discover the closed-off schnoz or the dearth of exhaust pipes burbling away on the again.
The brand new 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is an effective base to construct off for an EV. It gives the flexibility of a hatchback, has 4 full doorways, and as long as you possibly can settle for the tall kidney grille design, is a modern, properly proportioned luxurious automobile. BMW is totally updated in relation to EV specs and expertise, too. The battery pack is large enough to supply vary as much as 311 miles (relying on the mannequin/trim you select), and DC quick charging maxes out at a speedy 200 kW, sufficient to go from 10-80% in 31 minutes. These are a few of the higher charge- and range-related specs amongst EVs available for purchase at present.
This being a BMW, efficiency is obtainable in spades, too. Go for the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive i4 M50, and BMW guarantees a 0-60 mph dash of simply 3.7 seconds. It’s wicked-quick, and every stab of the accelerator will snap your neck again with anger. The rear-drive eDrive40 is not any slouch, both. On the draw back, you’ll need to cope with BMW’s new iDrive 8 infotainment system that provides complication versus iDrive 7. Taken as a complete, although, the i4 is among the most attractive electrical luxurious automobiles on sale at present, particularly for the worth. In comparison with well-optioned variations of the Tesla Mannequin 3 or Polestar 2, it’s extraordinarily aggressive and sure a superior alternative for a lot of.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Vary
What it’s wish to drive | Pricing & Options | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2022?
The 2022 BMW i4 is an all-new mannequin this yr.
What are the i4’s inside and in-car expertise like?
Because the BMW i4 takes after the gas-powered 4 Sequence Gran Coupe, its inside is analogous, however not fully the identical. The massive variations for the i4 come within the sprint design and expertise. The acquainted local weather management strip and radio controls are ditched in favor of touchscreen controls. The usual infotainment display measures a large 14.9 inches and resides within the modern curved panel together with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. There are nonetheless a number of bodily controls left under the display — together with a quantity knob, defrost controls and search/observe choices — however most all the things will be discovered within the automobile’s screens now, just like the BMW iX’s interface.
Frankly, we’re not followers of this new setup. In addition to stripping the inside of bodily controls, the infotainment system itself runs BMW’s newest software program known as iDrive 8, which throughout our testing in two completely different i4s, confirmed itself to to be worse than the outgoing iDrive 7 at most duties. The display is slower to reply with extra lag. Its radio controls and local weather controls are unnecessarily advanced and tough to make use of. Even primary features like turning on “Sport Traction” are made to be a trouble. On the plus aspect, BMW’s iDrive knob remains to be current, and the brief minimize buttons on all sides of the knob are nonetheless mighty helpful. We’ll additionally notice that BMW’s instrument cluster now permits you to cycle by means of quite a few completely different layouts (conventional gauge show, driver help view and extra), which is one thing sorely missing in earlier BMW digital gauge layouts.
How large is the i4?
The i4 is dimensionally just like the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe. The one distinction is peak, the place the i4 is 0.2 inch taller. Inside, the i4 gives sufficient house to be comfortable within the again, however we wouldn’t name it spacious given its 34.2 inches of rear legroom — that’s 0.7 inch lower than the gas-powered Gran Coupe. And whereas this can be a 4 Sequence with 4 doorways, the ingress/egress by means of the rear is tight, which makes it extra awkward than most sedans to get out and in of.
You are taking successful in rear cargo house once you go together with the i4 versus the gas-powered 4 Sequence Gran Coupe. The specs say 2 cubic-feet for a quite measly whole of 10 cubic ft, however in our testing, it definitely didn’t appear that small. Its hatchback trunk additionally makes it simpler to load than a conventional sedan just like the plug-in hybrid BMW 330e or Tesla Mannequin 3, and reducing the again seats yields even larger house and flexibility. On the flip aspect, it has much less house than the Polestar 2 (one other hatchback sedan) and crossover EVs just like the Kia EV6 and Mustang Mach-E.
What are the i4’s vary and efficiency specs?
The bottom i4 eDrive40 comes with a single rear motor that’s good for 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This propels the rear-drive-only mannequin from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Most vary is achievable with fashions fitted with the 18-inch wheels, and people are EPA-rated for 301 miles. Choice the 19-inch wheels, and vary sinks to 282 miles.
Improve to the i4 M50, and also you get a dual-motor setup with a mixed output of 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque — these figures are achievable for 10-second spurts in a Sport Increase mode. The rear motor is extra highly effective than the entrance with a person output of 308 horsepower versus the entrance’s 255 horsepower. BMW quotes a 3.7-second 0-60 mph time for the M50 mannequin. Vary suffers with the additional energy and weight of the M50, as the bottom mannequin with 19-inch wheels is rated for 270 miles on a full cost. Spec it with the 20-inch wheels which might be mounted to your most excessive summer time tire possibility, and vary plummets to 227 miles. We’d avoid that model if vary is a precedence.
Each the eDrive40 and M50 fashions are fitted with an 83.9 kWh battery pack, of which 81.5 kWh is usable. In addition they cost on the similar tempo, maxing out at 200 kW on a DC quick charger.
What is the i4 wish to drive?
In the event you’re aware of the BMW 3 Sequence, the i4 goes to drive rather a lot like that – simply with out the engine notice. The ride-handling stability is exemplary with properly tuned dampers expertly absorbing bumps, whereas the suspension generally retains the automobile degree and sure-footed. The steering, per latest BMW custom, may use extra suggestions, however it’s well-weighted and responsive no matter drive mode. And though acceleration is bound completely different than what you’d expertise in a gas-powered BMW (torque is instantaneous, there are not any gear modifications and all the things is whisper quiet), the top result’s awfully comparable: the rear-drive i4 eDrive40 is one fast automobile.
The i4 M50, in the meantime, is ridiculously fast. Stomp the accelerator in Sport mode to activate the “Sport Increase” perform, unlocking all 536 ponies and the total 586 pound-feet of twist, then maintain on, as a result of this EV sprints ahead faster than the official acceleration instances recommend. A Hans Zimmer-produced soundtrack provides a futuristic splash of auditory drama to the expertise. It feels a bit foolish and we frankly most popular Mr. Zimmer’s work in “Interstellar” and “No Time to Die,” however spaceship noises are a minimum of partially relevant to the best way this automobile strikes out.
Its sheer tempo would possibly recommend this M50 is extra like a full-M automobile than an M Sport mannequin, however its dealing with provides it away. Not like the razor-edged M3 and M4, the i4 M50 straddles the road between being a super-comfy day by day and all-out efficiency machine. There’s extra physique motion than you’d count on out of a full M automobile, and its responses aren’t fairly as sharp both. Pushing the M50 is rather more akin to pushing an M440i Gran Coupe than it’s to driving an M3 onerous, and that’s fully fantastic. This advantages the M50 in day by day driving, the place it’s pleased to take in freeway miles in each consolation and quiet.
What different BMW i4 critiques can I learn?
2022 BMW i4 M50 First Drive: Who wants the gasoline model?
We get our first likelihood on the BMW i4 in its most potent M50 efficiency trim.
BMW’s iDrive 8 infotainment system shouldn’t be superb
BMW’s iDrive 7 interface was nice. Sadly, iDrive 8 is a step backwards.
BMW i4 Baggage Take a look at
Take a deep dive into the not-especially deep i4 trunk. We present the way it compares with the three Sequence by way of becoming precise baggage.
How a lot is the 2022 i4’s worth and what options can be found?
The i4 eDrive40 begins at $56,395. This consists of 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, computerized opening/closing hatchback, sunroof, Sensatec (BMW’s vinyl) seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, multi-zone computerized local weather management, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display. Gadgets like heated seats, wi-fi telephone charging, a head-up show, ambient lighting and extra are all optionally available. A Dynamic Dealing with Package deal can also be accessible that tacks on M Sport brakes, an Adaptive M Suspension and a rear spoiler.
The M50 mannequin begins at $65,895, and has the same degree of ordinary gear. You get the 20-inch wheels within the Excessive Efficiency Tire Package deal. Plus, for BMW M’s fiftieth birthday this yr, you possibly can spec the particular BMW Motorsports roundel for an additional $200.
The $7,500 federal tax credit score does apply to the i4. Must you reside in California, nevertheless, the state’s $2,000 EV rebate doesn’t (the i4’s base worth is simply too excessive)
What are the i4’s security rankings and driver help options?
The i4 comes with quite a few driver help techniques as normal gear. This record consists of ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, computerized excessive beams and site visitors signal detection. Optionally, you possibly can spec BMW’s Driving Help Skilled Package deal that features emergency evasion steering help and an enhanced adaptive cruise management system with stop-and-go functionality, lane-centering steering help and auto-lane modifications. You may as well add a Parking Help Package deal that tacks on an auto parallel park function, 360-degree encompass view and parking sensors throughout.
No unbiased businesses have crash examined the i4 as of this text’s publishing.
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