Skip to Content

2022 BMW i4

Starting at $56,395

9.5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2022 bmw i4 m50
BMW
9.5/10 C/D RATING

Select a year

  • Highs Supremely quiet cabin, dazzling dashboard-mounted display, M50 model is cheaper than an M3 and feels just as quick.
  • Lows Insufficient steering feedback, M50 model's unremarkable range, fake sound is overbearing in M50's Sport mode.
  • Verdict The i4 sedan combines traditional BMW traits with EV elements that culminate in an engaging and luxurious experience.
By Eric Stafford

Overview

BMW is no stranger to electrified models (see the funky little i3 for proof), and the 2022 i4 sedan further bolsters the brand's EV portfolio. Based on the Bavarian automaker's most famous model, the 3-series, the i4 is a low-slung four-door in the vein of the similarly sized 4-series Gran Coupe. It competes with the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3, among others. The eDrive40 model features a single rear-mounted electric motor making 335 horsepower, and the M50 adds a motor up front that helps generate 536 total horses. Both feature an 80.7-kWh battery pack, but while the rear-drive version boasts an estimated driving range of around 300 miles, the all-wheel-drive i4 offers 245 miles of range.

What's New for 2022?

The BMW i4 is an all-new electric sedan that competes against the Tesla Model 3 and other mid-size EV sedans when it finally hits showrooms in early to mid-2022.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We prefer the higher-performance M50 over the less expensive–and less powerful–eDrive 40. The M-badged model comes standard with a more assertive appearance that includes 19-inch wheels. It also has a sport-tuned suspension and upgraded brakes with blue calipers. We like the look of the optional 20-inch rims and the improved performance of their wider, stickier tires, but they drop the M50's estimated driving range from 270 to 227 miles. Instead, we'd enhance the interior with one of the vernasca leather options, the Premium package (ambient interior lighting, heated seats and steering wheel, lumbar support), and individual options such the adaptive LED headlights, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, and wireless charging.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The 2022 i4 feeds electrons to either one or two electric motors, depending on the model. The eDrive40 features a single motor on the rear axle that makes 335 horsepower. The M50 has an electric motor on both axles, which together provide all-wheel drive and produce 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet. The M50 we tested hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, which is quicker than a rear-drive M3 Competition. The rear-drive i4 rolls on a standard set of 18-inch rims; 19-inchers are optional. Conversely, the all-wheel-drive M50 is fitted with either 19s or 20s, and it has adaptive dampers and a variable-ratio steering system. The i4 M50 that we drove delivered immediate and forceful thrust, and even though it weighs considerably more than an M3, its lower center of gravity helps it move assuredly and gracefully.

2022 bmw i4 m50View Photos
BMW

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

BMW says the single-motor, rear-drive i4 eDrive40 has the ability to travel up to around 300 miles on a full battery. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive M50 has the same 80.7-kWh battery, but its claimed range tops out at 245 miles. The i4 is also said to have a 200-kilowatt charging capacity that can add between 88 and 108 miles in just 10 minutes. Using the Level 2 (up to 11 kW) onboard charger, the i4 can recharge its battery from zero to 100 percent in less than 8 hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

According to the EPA, the most efficient i4 model is the eDrive40 with the standard 18-inch wheels. That model earned ratings of 109 MPGe city and 108 MPGe highway. Adding the larger 19-inch wheels drops those figures slightly, and the more powerful M50 model is rated lower too. While we haven't put every i4 through our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, to determine its real-world efficiency, an i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe we tested scored 280 miles of range. Just two miles short of its EPA estimate. For more information about the i4's efficiency ratings, visit the EPA website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the i4's cabin is richly appointed, including the availability of rose gold trim, white leather upholstery, and light wood trim. The general layout is similar to what's seen in other BMW models, but the i4–along with the all-electric iX SUV–is the first to have a massive, seamless display that spans almost two-thirds of the dashboard. The four-door i4 has a dramatic rear roofline that imitates a coupe-like profile, but it has a traditional trunk in the back.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The i4 is one of the first BMWs to feature the company's latest infotainment system and connectivity features. Called iDrive 8, it operates through a 14.9-inch touchscreen that's integrated with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel on a huge curved display on the dashboard. Along with a rotary controller on the center console, the system offers advanced voice commands and myriad popular features. These include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2022 i4 offers a variety of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Bimmer's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

  • Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  • Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
  • Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW currently offers a competitive warranty that includes one of the better complimentary maintenance periods.

  • Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
  • Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Arrow pointing downArrow pointing down

Specifications

Specifications

2022 BMW i4 eDrive40
Vehicle Type: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $56,395/$64,820

POWERTRAIN
Motor: current-excited synchronous AC
Power: 335 hp @ 8000–17,000 rpm
Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 0–5000 rpm
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81.5 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Transmission: direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
Tires: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
F: 245/40R-19 98Y ⋆
R: 255/40R-19 100Y ⋆

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 72.9 in
Height: 57.0 in
Passenger Volume: 90 ft3
Trunk Volume: 10 ft3
Curb Weight: 4699 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.8 sec
100 mph: 11.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.4 sec @ 106 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 345 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 108 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 107 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 280 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 99/100/98 MPGe
Range: 282 mi

2022 BMW i4 M50
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,895/$76,670

POWERTRAIN
Rear Motor: synchronous AC, 308, 295 lb-ft hp
Combined Power: 536 hp
Combined Torque: 586 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81.5 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Transmissions: direct-drives

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Tires: Pirelli P Zero Elect PZ4
Brakes, F/R: 14.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
F: 255/35R-20 97Y ★
R: 285/30R-20 99Y ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 72.9 in
Height: 57.0 in
Passenger Volume: 90 ft3
Cargo Volume: 10 ft3
Curb Weight: 5063 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.3 sec
100 mph: 8.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.7 sec @ 120 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 127 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 308 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.97 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 83 MPGe

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 80/79/80 MPGe
Range: 227 mi

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs

Shopping Tools

What's My Car Worth?
Car and Driver values are calculated from the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.
Insurance Marketplace
See what you can save on car insurance.
Auto Loans & Financing
Our finance experts answer any questions you may have about financing a vehicle.

BMW

2023 bmw xm driving

2023 BMW XM

2023 bmw x7 xdrive40i

2023 BMW X7

2024 bmw x6

2024 BMW X6

2024 bmw x5

2024 BMW X5

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
youtube icon
facebook icon
instagram icon
Hearst Autos - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

©Hearst Autos, Inc. All Rights Reserved.