ll-new, the 2022 BMW i4 joins the brand’s iX SUV as part of a new wave of fully electric vehicles (EV).
Roughly the size of BMW’s wildly popular 3 Series, the i4 comes as the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) eDrive40 and all-wheel-drive (AWD) M50.
BMW actually refers to the i4 as a “Gran Coupe.” This has more to do with its sloping roofline than the door count, which is four.
Calling it a Gran Coupe does comply with BMW’s established terminology.
Easily recognizable as a BMW, the i4 sports the typical familial styling cues, even if the kidney grille is overly exaggerated.
Inside, the uncluttered dashboard is dominated by a curved screen stretching across roughly 60-percent of its width.
You can pick the level of brake regeneration (recharging the battery with energy created by braking the vehicle). This translates into one-pedal driving. You can gradually slow the car by easing up on the accelerator pedal. Or, you can bring the car to a halt by lifting off the accelerator completely.
Power & Range
The EPA range of the single-motor eDrive40, which has 335 horsepower, is 301 miles (with 18-inch wheels) and 282 miles (with 19-inch wheels).
The dual-motor BMW i4 M50, which has 530 total horsepower, has a range of 270 miles (with 19-inch wheels) and 227 miles (with 20-inch wheels).
The RWD eDrive40’s motor is anchored to its rear axle. Each of the AWD M50’s axles supports a motor.
A floor-mounted 80.7-kWh battery feeds electrons to the motor or motors. Standing just 4.3-inches high, the battery contributes to the i4’s low center of gravity.
If you are an EV nerd, you’ll appreciate that the DC-fast-charging capacity is up to 200 kW while the AC Level 2 charging capacity is up to 11 kW. When fed by a Level 2 source, you can charge the battery from empty to 100 percent in eight hours. Using a DC fast charger, you can add 90-miles of range in 10 minutes.
According to the EPA, the i4 eDrive 40 is rated at 109 MPGe city/108 MPGe highway with 18-inch wheels, or 100 MPGe city/98 MPGe with 19-inch wheels. The i4 M50 is rated at 94 MPGe city/98 MPGe highway with 19-inch wheels, or 79 MPGe city/80 MPGe highway with 20-inch wheels.
We like the 2022 BMW i4 for the range of both models, spot-on handling, the array of technology, and overall performance.
The i4’s key rivals are the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3.
Model content is not thoroughly known as of this writing, but here’s what we know.
2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 (starting at $55,400)
Powering the eDrive40 is an electric motor capable of 335 horsepower. Its estimated range is 300 miles. By BMW’s stopwatch, it can get to 60 mph from a full stop in 5.5 seconds.
Standard are 18-inch wheels with run-flat tires, a self-leveling air suspension, rain-sensing auto-on-off LED headlights, and high-beam assist.
Also included are keyless entry with push-button start, a 12.3-inch driver information display, and a 14.9-inch touchscreen.
A power sunroof, auto-dimming rearview and outboard mirrors, a power trunk lid, and power-adjustable front seats are standard.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel, an anthracite headliner, over-the-air (OTA) data updates, and a 40/20/40 split rear seat are included.
Other standard features are dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, a Homelink transceiver, and adaptive cruise control.
The infotainment system is a 10-speaker audio system, navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Satellite-radio capability is also standard.
The driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, driver-alert warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist are also included. Front-rear park assist and automatic rear braking assist are standard, too.
BMW hasn’t announced option prices yet, but there are several packages. For example, the Premium Package includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, electric Iconic Sounds, and more.
The M Sport Package provides Variable Sport Steering, an M steering wheel, an aerodynamic kit, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the eDrive40 base price brings the total to $56,395. If you put no money down and financed for 60 months at 3% interest, it works out to $1,013 per month. See 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 models for sale
2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 includes:
- Auto on-off LED headlights – Photosensors detect a reduction in daylight, which automatically engages the headlights and taillights. The system extinguishes the lights when an appropriate amount of daylight returns. LEDs illuminate a wider and longer area than regular incandescent lights. That means they are also easier for other drivers to see.
- Intelligent Personal Assistant – A function of voice recognition, the Intelligent Personal Assistant functions with artificial intelligence (AI) to communicate with the driver. It responds to commands and learns and anticipates the driver’s needs.
- Auto-dimming mirrors – Using photosensors, they recognize bright headlights closing from behind. They then automatically dim the reflection of those lights. The rearview and both outboard mirrors share this function.
2022 BMW i4 M50 (starting at $65,900)
The AWD M50 sources its thrust from two electric motors – one on each axle. They deliver a combined 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. BMW estimates the M50’s range at 245 miles. According to BMW, sprinting to 60 mph from a standstill requires 3.7 seconds.
Building on the eDrive40’s content, the M50 adds 19-inch M wheels with non-run-flat tires and an Adaptive M Suspension.
A Sport Boost function and launch control are standard.
Also included are an M steering wheel, M Sport Brakes with blue calipers, Variable Sport Steering, and an aerodynamic kit.
Several option packages are available. For instance, the Parking Assistance Package includes Parking Assistance Plus, Active Park Distance Control, and a surround-view camera.
Adding the $995 destination fee to the M50 base price totals $66,895. With no money down for 60 months at 3% interest, financing works out to $1,202. See 2022 BMW i4 M50 models for sale
2022 BMW i4 M50 includes:
- Adaptive M Suspension – Employing multiple sensors around the car’s suspension, this adaptive system reacts in fractions of a second to changing surface conditions. It adjusts the dampers accordingly to maintain a smooth, stable ride.
- Sport Boost – Activated on demand and for short bursts, Sport Boost is available whenever you operate the car in Sport mode. It increases drive power by 67 hp to reach the maximum of 536 hp.
- Variable Sport Steering – This system automatically varies the required force to turn the wheels based on the vehicle’s speed and the turn angle.
