2023 BMW i4 Gran Coupe

The BMW i4 is back for its second trip around the sun, and we're still into it. In a big way. When the all-electric i4 first showed its face last year, we were impressed by its looks, the way it drives, and in M50 form, its ludicrous performance. In M50 guise, this compact executive BMW produces an astounding 536 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to sprint to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. That's quicker than the base BMW M4 but not quite as quick as the Tesla Model 3 Performance. But the i4 has the edge in its high-quality cabin and it could be argued that it's the better car to drive. In this 2023 BMW i4 review, we find out why the i4 is not only a formidable choice alongside its electric rivals, but also why it may just be a better car than the more conventional 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2023 BMW i4's price starts at $51,400 for the eDrive35 that is arriving in the first quarter of 2023. To get behind the wheel of the eDrive40 model, you'll have to fork over at least $55,900, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995. Go for the more powerful M50, and the 2023 BMW i4's MSRP goes up to $67,300. Although the rules surrounding federal tax credits will be changing, the i4 currently qualifies for $7,500 off the price which adds to the value proposition of this EV.

Fully loaded with features and in M50 guise, the new BMW i4's price will exceed $85,000.

ICE or electric, BMW fans will always expect a new Bimmer to be a decent driver's car at the very least, and the i4's sporty looks beg for a chassis that can keep up. The good news is that BMW has crafted a machine that delivers an excellent driving balance. The M50 trim - with its adaptive M suspension - is the best driving of the lot, and offers flat and neutral handling thanks to a battery pack that's mounted low in the body. Steering isn't M4 sharp, but is decent enough to have a good time, and the rear-wheel bias of the AWD system makes it a hoot to drive in tight corners. Normal, Eco, and Sport modes affect the car's adaptive suspension and steering system, with Sport offering the sharpest throttle response, stiffest suspension, and sharpest steering. With a curb weight of over 5,000 lbs in the case of the M50, the i4 feels heavy when going all out, but at legal speeds, it feels just as nice to drive as any other sporty BMW on the roster.

The electric power steering is accurate and the wheel feels good to hold but it lacks feel, although this criticism is increasingly common in modern vehicles. As for the ride quality, the M50 is surprisingly compliant in Comfort mode.

Electrified BMWs like the i3 and i8 were niche products with concept-like styling and high prices, but times have changed. Today's electric BMW i4 is almost indistinguishable from the 4 Series Gran Coupe, and this is an example of how EVs no longer need to sell themselves with wacky styling. The new eDrive35 will be fast enough for most but all i4 models deliver punchy performance and crisp dynamics. In the M50, we have an electric BMW that will embarrass many full-fat M cars off the mark, although the simulated soundtrack and slightly artificial-feeling steering leave something to be desired. The BMW i4's competitors in the USA include the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. For now, the Tesla remains faster and retains a crucial lead in terms of its range, but the BMW is a newer product overall and has a luxurious polish to it that is missing from the Model 3. With incentives, the i4 is on par with the 4 Series Gran Coupe in terms of pricing, eliminating one of the major hurdles to purchasing an EV. For buyers who find a 3 Series too generic and who are ready to transition to an EV, the new BMW i4 sedan does an impressive job of blending electric vehicle strengths with many of the brand's traditional hallmarks.

This question will boil down to performance vs. range. If you're after the most range, the eDrive40 will manage up to 301 miles (as per 2022 EPA figures and with 18-inch wheels) and has a single 335-hp motor. If it's performance you're after, you'll have to sacrifice 30 miles of range, but you gain a ton of power and blistering performance in the M50. If we were the ones buying, we'd go for the M50. Not only is it quicker than the base M4 Coupe, but it's less expensive and offers significant value for money over the eDrive40 with only 30 miles less driving range as a penalty for over 530 hp.

The newer eDrive35 will save you $4,500 over the eDrive40, but it has less power and range so we'd rather choose the eDrive40 between these two.