The Ultimate Driving Machine is moving to the future of all-electric vehicles with an i4 sedan carrying on the tradition BMW earned with its gas-powered compact coupes and sedans.
The new BMW i4 M50 carries over that sports sedan tradition with a big dose of power, over 530 instant horsepower. This fast sedan will give faster gas-powered sports cars a run for their money. I was surprised when I mashed the accelerator pedal. The brakes are just as impressive, so this quick car will stop just as fast. However, do not go in expecting an M3 level of handling.
The i4 M50 is heavier and you can feel it when you really push it in the corners. Expect a mostly smooth ride during the daily commute. The adaptive suspension helps out this heavy car ride nicely.
The i4 M50 shares much of its looks with the 4 Series Gran Coupe gas-powered sedan, so it already has a sportier look than most sedans on the road. If you are coming from a gas-powered car, the new i4 will be very comfortable. The larger grill also carries over to the i4 but it somehow fits this car better than the gas-powered version because the closed grill has no any openings.
The i4 M50 adds some sporty styling cues like 20-inch wheels and blue brake calipers. The Shadowline package brings special headlights and blacked-out trim, which gives this i4 more of a race car look.
The inside of the i4 M50 looks just like the 4 series gas-powered sedan, so there’s no big learning curve. Oyster-colored leather interior looks great. However, it will show dirt easier because of the lighter color. Front seat riders have plenty of space. Back seat riders up to 5 ft. 8” tall will fit without much hassle; taller riders will have issues due to the coupe-like styling. A modern live cockpit and even NAV can be part of the instrument panel. The iDrive controller is easier to use than in the past.
Cost: $65,900; as tested $78,520
MPG: 80 MPGe; in 201 miles of mixed driving
Safety: Active cruise control with braking function; dynamic stability control; active driving assistant pro with active blind spot detection; active park distance control & parking assistant plus; head-up display; Adaptive full LED lighting & auto high beams; surround view with 3D view; extended traffic jam assistant; drive recorder; front & rear head protection system; automatic high beams
Options: $550 Mineral White metallic; $1,450 Oyster Vernasca leather; $1,700 driving assistance package; $400 Shadowline package; $700 parking assistance package; $950 premium package; $2,500 high performance package; $1,000 Icon adaptive LED with laserlight; $200 wireless device charging; $300 personal Esim 5G; $1,000 BMW curved display with HUD; $875 Harman Kardon surround sound; $995 destination charge.
Things to know: The new i4 M50 is the sporty all-electric sedan that is fun to drive and offers a comfortable and very quiet ride.
Pros:
- All-electric sedan with tons of power offers sports car speeds
- Large touch screen and virtual instruments add to the modern look and feel
- The luxurious surroundings live up to the premium price tag
Cons:
- Taller riders will find the rear seat space lacking
- Gets pricey quickly when you add the options
- Range is lacking compared to some other EVs
