Should you buy a BMW i4?

Absolutely. Those in the market for a premium electric car who don’t want an SUV should very carefully consider the BMW i4 – we think it’s one of the best EVs you can buy today.

It’s fantastic to drive, offers one of the longest electric ranges available in a vehicle this size and feels both futuristic yet reassuringly conventional where it counts.

Of course, there are caveats. The i4’s not catastrophically expensive but nor is it cheap, and it’s definitely a rival for higher-end Tesla Model 3s and Polestar 2s rather than the Nissan Leafs and VW ID.3s of the world. Then there’s the question of practicality – though the hatchback boot is useful, the i4’s rear seats are cramped and claustrophobic, and not the easiest to get into either.

If none of that matters to you, then fantastic – we heartily recommend the BMW i4.

What we like

The comfort levels are outstanding, yet the i4 M50 is still great fun whenever the roads get more interesting. It feels well put together, all the on-board technology works very well and it is certainly very fast. Being electric gives it some impressive advantages over petrol and diesel, too, notably the adaptive recuperation and the stiffness of the body structure.

Compared with the BMW iX it’s less of a show-stopper, but comes with a much more attractive price tag – and while the i4 is still quite the financial investment we feel it gives you excellent value in return.

What we don’t like

It’s almost too accomplished for its own good. If you’re expecting the M50 version to be like an electric BMW M4 you might be a little disappointed – this is a more rounded machine, which for many buyers is likely to be a good thing but does mean you don’t quite get the same razor’s edge.

Beyond this, the i4’s problems are all general electric car problems. Charging isn’t as easy as filling up with petrol. However, we think the advantages outweigh the inconvenience here, quite considerably.

143