BMW i4 Review 2023 | NOW THIS is how you do an EV!

This is the Leasing.com review of the election BMW i4 with Howard Ritchie. The i4 40e stands as a robust competitor to the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, seamlessly combining BMW's renowned driving performance with its cutting-edge interior design.
Is this the EV we've been waiting for? An all-electric platform that can rival petrol-power for driving engagement? From the well-crafted interior to the understated looks, MW has produced a driving machine that is pretty much perfect to look at, as well as taking care of every detail of the interior.
Key moments:
00:00 - The question.
00:40 - Interior
00:58 - BMW i4 0-60mph
01:11 - i4 sounds
01:48 - Exterior features
02:31 - Control system interior features
03:00 - The cost of a BMW i4
05:58 - Boot space of the BMW i4
06:23 - i4 driving experience
Compare BMW i4 offers here: leasing.com/car-leasing/bmw/i...

[@victorfrombcn]

I’ve owned and driven hundreds of cars in my life due to my work. And I can say that the i4 is easily my favorite car outside of specific use cases (sport cars, off road). It drives great in all instances, assistance systems are top notch (miles ahead of Tesla!), the laser lights are amazing. And of course it looks great!

[@kennycasillas901]

From USA here and just picked up a fully loaded edrive40. You hit the nail on the head, "you either want one or you dont". This car is an absolute marvel. I love it.

[@big-g6]

Good stuff mate, ordered mine up yesterday 👍🏼👍🏼

[@kennycasillas901]

@@big-g6 enjoy! You will love it!

[@veroniqueoomen4287]

Got ours 4 months ago and still fighting every day who gets to drive it.

[@thecremeegg]

I have an i4, it was by far the best EV that I test drove. It's a great car, not flawless but with the right options it's unbeatable

[@craighermle7727]

Nonsense! Tesla has BMW beat hands down! BMW tech is remarkably inferior. If you think you want to listen to Zimmer for 100,000k, think again. BTW Tesla had nearly 485,000 new car registrations in the US in 2022 compared to BMW's ~330,000 Tesla "S". THe voice response is horribly slow, the and the driver distress system is virtually not usable. Perhaps in the UK, CCS is ok, in the US CCS is associated with Electrify America or EVGO,, which simply isn't in the same galaxy as Teslsa's charging system. I

[@thecremeegg]

@craighermle7727 I've driven a few Teslas, they're fine, they're just white goods, nothing special about them at all. They feel cheap, the screen is awful to use on the go, the wipers don't work, etc etc. BMW voice is a bit slow but you don't need to use it as you have pretty much everything on the wheel or stalks.

[@fleialex]

@@craighermle7727good that taste is subjective

[@ramseyganoush6515]

Tesla feels cheap and looks dated and ugly now ! It is better at mileage charging but just old ugly looking thing which still looks the same as it did when it was first launched

[@MarkSmith-lu7ly]

@@craighermle7727Tesla build quality is just horrible. Tesla Vision is useless for parking and lets not even talk about phantom braking, still not fixed! Teslas are noisy and plenty people complain of rattles. But on the plus side Tesla fast charge infrastructure is the best👍

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

The i4 has to be the best EV you can buy. And it doesn't shout out that you're driving an EV either. There's none of the weird looks and the , _"Oooooo! Look at me... I'm in an EV. Saving the planet (Which you're not!). I'm off to get a Frappuccino and a croissant now (Which you may do, but not in an i4!)."_ It has the power, the range, the styling and the interior is BMW all day long. Everything you need to hand with no tapping screens just to alter your seat. Great video again Mr. Howard. Succinct and stylish 8-))...

[@ramseyganoush6515]

You sound like someone who likes to eat burgers and full fat coke extra extra large !

[@stuartodell2828]

Yeah you pretty much summed the car up it’s really a great car

[@alisonpepper9575]

I've had this car for almost exactly a year now. I love it. Love the styling, love the performance, zero issues. I do wish BMW had Tesla's charging network, but since I really only charge at home, it doesn't matter that much to me.

[@taz5709]

A question Alison, I’m seriously considering purchasing this car. As you mentioned you charge at home. How long does this typically take and on average how many miles do you get out of a full charge?

[@alisonpepper9575]

@@taz5709 I think it can really vary on range based on conditions (i.e. temps outside, if the car's heavy, hills, etc.). I'd say on average I get 230-240 miles off an 80% charge. I don't charge it to 100% for the most part. But I live in a mild-ish climate where's it's mostly flat around me. On time, it just depends on where I'm starting from - I usually charge once I drop below 50%. From 50% to 80% seems to take an hour or two. It's hard to say how many "miles" per hour, that one seems variable.

[@zemarbates1030]

​@@taz5709may I ask do you do investing?

[@Assassinl53]

is it good for someone who has a family?

[@bodrulm1]

I had a 430d a few years back. Best car i owner - the new i4 is simply an electrified version. Sadly with child 3 arriving it was too small. We have the iX3 now which is another home run for bmw. Spacious and effortless. It's amazing

[@GryphonDigitalArt]

As an M50 owner I can safely say the i4 is a typical classy BMW with a huge sting in the tail……it is awesomely quick and does it with absolutely no fuss or drama.

[@londonhikeralmaty]

Short, informative with a touch of humour, great review! I have a BMW 318d on a lease, now i guess it’s time to swap D for I 😅

[@chrishext6889]

Really good review as always Howard

[@autochief]

Great work as always.Your presentation style is very natural

[@carllawrence3756]

Excellent car and engaging review…

[@big-g6]

Ordered mine yesterday, i4 grand coupe 40 m-sport sapphire black tech/pro package.. cannot wait 😎

[@emerel]

I’m using this now as my curtesy car from my local bmw dealer, I’m very impressed 👌

[@domaindave2422]

Great, entertaining review. Oh, and a superb car

[@thetopcat84]

Watching this now with a year of leasing my black i4 m-sport - the self-employed bit is exactly why I got it - get half the VAT back and deduct corporation tax for a great, great car 😉

[@joaofeiteira6309]

My favourite presenter doing a great job again. He's right. For this kind of money, you either want an i4 or you don't. Probably one of the best cars around regarding driving experience, quality of materials and design, which is sophisticated yet subtle inside and out. You can't say the same about a few of the latest BMW cars.

[@WinnerSingh]

Dream car

[@sadiamalik2204]

Someone help me- is a tech pack worth it for i4????

[@johnmorelli3775]

Great review, thank you! I see an i4 in my future.

[@Jasperroodog]

The BIK figure given is incorrect. It’s 2% of the purchase price

[@boscogong4242]

Nice looking and driving car, but poor rear seat headroom was the show stopper for me. Was shopping for the i4 xDrive40. Bought the Tesla MYLR instead.

[@hitek3943]

i4 is by far the best EV car you can find! You will realize it once you test drive and get the feeling of how good it actually is. By the way Howard, tell the owner of this i4 to do some leather cleaning of the steering wheel at least once xD Also, will you do an M2 G87 review soon?

[@craighermle7727]

Sorry, I4 is far from the best EV, at least in the states, and BMW's alignment with Eliectrify America wasn't BMW's brighest stragetic alignment in recent years.. Telsa have better range, more advantced tech than BMW, and BTW BMW doesn't get a $7,500 tax credit. The i4 is just a 4 series with an electric motor. BMW needed to get something to market and that's all they had.

[@kennycasillas901]

​@@craighermle7727I leased my i4 and was able to get the credit right into the lease. Both federal and state. EA may not have been the best strategy however most people buying this car in the States typically charge at home. For long haul travel which is most likely next to none for most, some planning needed. Also you mention range however have you seen the range tests? They are on par with Model 3 with comparable tires and equipment. BMW is a much classier interior vs that single screen in the model 3 which many owners dislike. The quality and build is light years ahead on the BMW than the cheap put together model 3.

[@SubQuark]

@@craighermle7727 Sure, some Tesla models might have better range, but maybe the range of the i4 is enough for those who buy it? Getting a tax credit does not necessarily make a car better, just cheaper. Tesla having better tech? In what regard? I love the ergonomics of the i4 and hate the fact that Tesla lacks almost all physical controls. BMW has a superior luxury feeling with lots of options and interior materials to choose from, better sound proofing and a smoother riding chassis. We are lucky to have multiple products to choose from. Some people like Tesla, some like BMW. I am sure those buying a Tesla think it is better FOR THEM. There is no basis for saying that one is better for everyone.

[@craighermle7727]

@@SubQuarkBuy what you like. Owning a BMW ICE car for years and driven hundreds of miles in Telas, and ex[eroemcomg the reliability of Tesla's charging network I'd buy a Tesla. model "S" over any BMW EV in the 4 series. . If the range of an I korks for you great. Buy what works for you. CCS EVGO and Electrify America in my area have a pretty poor reputation. If you change mostly and home and go on short trips, it's certainly less of a problem.

[@AR-ym5qx]

I always thought charging an EV would be a pain the ass but now I see that every journey will be an adventure where I’ll make new friends and be a pioneer.

[@NoName-zx2fs]

Excellent review. Imagine turning up with this hell of a thing you've just reviewed, to an EV charging courtyard full of similar looking fridges charging up (mostly white fridges with their own charging stations). Well, the only thing these fridges will be trying to figure out is what they are doing there in the first place, and my advice will be to recycle them all, get back to the drawing board to try come up with anything other than a fridge. Straight to the point: BMW i4 is a very well made premium EV especially considering that it's platform is not purely electric from the ground up. The exterior, interior, the tech, the various extras you could opt for, the whole design of this thing is in another level. Yes it can be expensive, but at the end of the day, anything that stands out in terms of quality and design, from a well established brand, will always have a hefty price. And it really does come down to what Mr Howard said.. It's either you want one, or you do not. And if you do pick up one of these, just know that you will be embarking on an amazing experience, and I am dead sure this experience does not relate to anything close to a fridge😉

[@aks9815]

What colour is this vehicle?

[@Nick_Smith1970]

I think it's Davit Grey.

[@edwinungerer7989]

I want to get this or the new volvo. What a hard choice

[@edwinungerer7989]

Volvo is way cheaper but this is more premium

[@naiart82]

Robert Downey Jr. likes the i4 👍 Neat

[@CarFinanceSimplified]

Can’t decide between this and iX. Any thoughts?

[@KDR816]

depends how you are going to use it. Small family, city parking or large family, and an own house, rare city visits...spare 20-30k :)

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

vastly different prices and completely different segments. :/

[@CarFinanceSimplified]

@@Dreadpirateflappy not on a lease though.

[@radidoc4832]

​@@CarFinanceSimplifiedare they giving away iX on the lease? My lease on 530e is ending in a couple of months and I was considering between i4 or i5

[@CarFinanceSimplified]

@@radidoc4832 Business lease. 1+35. 10000 miles, around £600 per month + VAT.

[@derekl190]

Its a already good car - you dont need to try so hard to sell it

[@graemeglass7566]

Just a tad expensive at £47k for base model, but yes a nice car

[@patmullen9978]

It’s not just trolls that find the grill absurd. And it’s definitely not the reason BMW is making money.

[@user-os9db1ch5b]

one of the world best composers not sound engineer so that means nothing

[@teslapower18]

4 star safety rating…German quality😂

[@Shaggy12321]

I'm kind of tempted by this, but I'll still be going with the M440i (coupe), You get all the refinement and comfort, with a far better feel, sound, and fun factor

[@SubQuark]

Give the eDrive40, or perhaps the M50 a try. Who knows, you might like the electrics better. I am so used to only driving electrics now, that when I get into an ICE car it feels strangely ancient and unrefined, but that is just me. I simply love my M50. In sport boost mode it outruns an M3 Competition in a straight line. If you like to go racing on a track, then the ICE cars are still superior, of course.

[@stuartodell2828]

My previous car which was an Audi s5 which was a great car but the i4 m50 performance is on another level

[@freakybeast5068]

The Han Zimmer gimmick actually seems cheap and lame to me. Dont get me wrong, great, ev, just dont think it's worth the price tag in Australia of 100k for a single motor Rwd. Especially when the Tesla LR is $75k

[@DrumminDoc]

Will sell 1/100, if not less, than the Tesla Model Y.....Are you hanging your hat on the tech? So you gloss over the tech package, another 4500 with tax, which is already 6 years old. You carefully, and gingerly bring up the Model 3 as viable competition, but it is not the competition. The competition is the Model Y. The Model X competes against the ix4. You say no one cares about the MPGe or the range? Every person cares about the range, which is so low in the i4 what you GLOSSED over that too. Look, BMW will not be close to a world-leading car company in 2035.

[@sebastiantevel898]

I will never buy a Tesla and so most people. There is that.

[@DrumminDoc]

Bmw is already dropping in sales. Everything is about the tech and charging network. But yea, have fun with your 200 mi range, limited charging network and 6 yr old tech. Sure sure, the car looks MARVELOUS tho! lol

[@richb326]

Thinking of cancelling my Tesla order and getting one of these instead

[@KDR816]

that's another level, this is a great one. If you have questions about options and specs, I can help :)

[@lozzamanuk]

I currently have a Model 3 performance and have an i4 e drive 40 m sport on order. It's very different. M3P is in another league performance wise, better visibility, a lot more standard kit (even fairly basic stuff like the power seats) but the i4 does feel more solid, less fidgety on the road etc. Tesla has a way better charging network. To be fair I was going to order a new M3P but the company car scheme doesn't allow it. They're both great cars.

[@lozzamanuk]

@@KDR816 Nope. UK. Don't get me wrong, the i4 e40 is still quite sprightly. Got all the performance you realistically could ever need.

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

for me the Tesla model 3 is vastly better EV, (frunk, better range supercharger network etc) but overall this is just the better car in every other way. I have an I4 on order in sunset orange.

[@BogeyTheBear]

If you want an Electric Mobility Solution, you get a Tesla. If you want a _car_ that happens to be electric, you get a BMW. After spending years and money on econobox beaters, I wasn't going to settle on making my first EV another sparse, unindulgent daily driver. That's why I went with the i4.

[@LNasterio]

I have trouble believing this video was made 2023? it felt like 2013, what an outdated piece of junk.

[@leasingdotcom]

Go ahead - a list would be useful, thanks.

[@kingprone7846]

its an ICE car retrofit so definetly not a how to do an EV

[@glenj61]

What a biased review - obviously doesn’t want to lose access to BMW launch events!

[@ramseyganoush6515]

Probably the worse review video I have seen on i4 so far. No mention of all the annoying things ? Rear space, mileage not great, petroleum drive shaft chassis which they couldn’t be bothered to get rid of from the 4 series petrol version ? How much sucking up did you need to do ? People can see through it

[@dannywhitley8928]

Thought I was the only one picking this up. I thought it was a BMW ad

[@TheMaGe-]

rear space is decent. mileage is good. what the hell are u talking about ?

[@SmileyMatrix]

This car is junk. Doesn't hold any type of future value

[@verityledner3927]

I have just got a i4 40 and it's supposed to get 363 miles. I picked it up and it had 302 miles on a full charge. Since then every time I change it at home, it's showing 250 miles 😢😢😢😢 I was lied to. Oh, and I'm driving it like a old lady. What's the point of it 😂😂😂