• Two electric powertrains available
• Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
• Both options offer excellent performance

What power options are there?

BMW offers the i4 in two distinct flavours. The entry-level model is called the eDrive 40, while the powerhouse M50 offers more performance. The eDrive 40 is our pick of the range. It uses a single electric motor powering the rear wheels, producing a not-inconsiderable 340hp and making for a 0-62mph sprint of just 5.7 seconds.

Performance is effortless – the i4 accelerates quickly and smoothly, and it’s very easy to modulate the power so that even if you’re going fast, you never jerk your passengers around. The eDrive 40 makes for an excellent motorway cruiser, too, with more than enough power in reserve for overtaking.

Those who want a bit more speed will be well served by the M50 model. It has a second electric motor on the front axle, giving it all-wheel drive and a total power output of 544hp. Some of that’s unlocked in ‘boost’ mode, which brings the 0-62mph sprint down to an impressive 3.9 seconds. Sure, a Tesla will accelerate faster, but there’s not much in it.

BMW’s not pitching the M50 as an outright M car, like an electric rival to the M3 and M4, and it does lack a bit of drama and finesse to be considered as such. But in performance terms, it’s definitely got what it takes.

Both i4 models come with drive modes to tailor the way the car responds to your inputs. Switch to Sport mode and you’ll get an electronic soundtrack to accompany your acceleration, meant to inject some of the drama that’s missing from the lack of an engine under the bonnet.

There’s also a clever adaptive regenerative braking feature which uses data from the navigation system and safety sensors to adjust the level of regeneration you get on lifting off the throttle. You can of course switch this off, or bypass it by using ‘B’ mode – this ramps up the regeneration to max and allows you drive with the accelerator alone.

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What’s it like to drive?

• Superb handling
• Visibility makes urban driving more effort
• The best mainstream electric car to drive on the open road

The BMW i4 is among the very best electric cars to drive when it comes to handling and ride comfort. It strikes a near-perfect balance between the two, being huge fun to sling through corners but comfortable enough to make long journeys relaxing.

You do feel the i4’s weight when cornering fast, but BMW’s electronic nannies do a great job of keeping everything in shape while also providing a degree of playfulness. And the steering helps, too – it’s precise, direct and quick without being too heavy.

In terms of driver enjoyment, the i4 knocks the Tesla Model 3 into a cocked hat. The ultimate electric driving machine? We won’t go that far, but we’d definitely put the i4 up there with the Porsche Taycan. It’s that good.