First Look Review: The 2024 BMW i4 is the luxe alternative to the Model 3

The 2024 BMW i4, BMW’s entry-level zero-emission offering in the U.S., targets consumers seeking a premium alternative to the Tesla Model 3. I recently had the opportunity to examine the top-end ‘M50’ variant up close, exploring its full range of features, comfort and space. Here are my first impressions:

Design

I’d describe the design of the 2024 BMW i4 M50 as both lean and mean, with sporty lines, elegant proportions, and its sophisticated style. In addition to the sleek glasshouse and frameless windows, I like the aggressive headlamps, which provide it with a focused and ready-to-attack impression. I think the slim mirrors and recessed door handles enhance the dynamic character of the car and the muscular bumpers, curvy passenger cell, and powerful shoulder lend it an athletic styling.

I also like how the i4’s door handles sit flush with the bodywork, the window line flows cleanly into the Hofmeister kink, and the roof slopes gently into the back in a coupe-like fashion.

For almost every BMW released since the X7 in 2018, the kidney grille has been notoriously the talk of the town, and no other model has sparked as much controversy as the second-gen 4 Series, which led to the i4 in 2021. Much to my surprise, after repeatedly seeing the i4 in person, this feature has started to grow on me!

Interior

The 2024 BMW i4 has a curvy and slim dashboard that’s set low, in line with the sporty exterior. I think the outer-end AC vents and the steering wheel need to go on a diet. However, overall, it’s a classy interior that looks adequately upscale.

After spending some time in the 2024 BMW i4, I felt that it offers more convenience than the facelifted Tesla Model 3, as it has many physical controls, including buttons, switches, knobs, and scrollers, which are easy to operate and be quickly located without distraction while driving. Additionally, the convenience of not having to navigate a touchscreen to access the glovebox was a relief!

The 12.3-inch driver information display and the 14.9-inch central display’s minimalist UI seemed to be easy to operate. Initially, I explored its customizable layouts to understand the details each provides. I found it to be easily accessible and customizable with the scroller and buttons on the steering wheel.

The central display supports touch inputs, but it can also be used with a knurled rotary controller located in the center console. Its menu structure was simple, and it required only a few inputs to reach the desired functions. Its software showed little lag when I tested it with consistent quick swipes and selections.

I’m six feet tall, and when I entered the 2024 i4 to sit in the driver seat, I felt that ingress was a bit uncomfortable as the seat is set quite low, but that’s the general trade-off for any sedan of this segment. The steering wheel offered ample grip, and the heating function is in a button on the lower spoke, which is a win for ergonomics.

The seats are designed to offer ample lumbar support, and the side bolsters are also just the right thickness. However, I had just adequate leg space, and I felt that under-thigh support was not all that great. As for headroom, it was a bit tight for my height.

Entering the rear part of the cabin was a bit easier than the front. When I sat behind the driver seat, I felt that legroom was tight for my size 11 boots, but my knees didn’t brush up against the seat back. The angle of the backrest was fine, but I am not sure how comfortable I’d be here on long journeys. I expected headroom to be tight, and that was indeed the case. I think three adults like me in the back of the 2024 i4 would be impossible to fit due to the transmission tunnel.

Driving impressions

The 2024 BMW i4 is available in single-motor RWD and twin-motor AWD configurations, with up to 536 horsepower and up to 586 lb.-ft. of torque. It can complete a 0-60 mph sprint as quickly as 3.7 seconds and achieve a top speed of up to 140 mph. It consumes as low as 28 kWh per 100 miles (EPA-est.) and delivers a range of up to 307 miles.

From what we know of MY2023, which had the same powertrains, batteries, and other core components, the i4 is quite an impressive machine even though BMW didn’t engineer it on an EV-specific platform. Expert automotive journalists would also tell you that the i4 speeds up vigorously and provides the feeling of driving the critically acclaimed M3 Competition at launch.

The i4 keeps accelerating, maintaining its vigor well into freeway speeds. It is quite nimble, too, so it does feel like a driver’s car and a proper Bimmer. The electric sedan’s handling is quite impressive for a car weighing 5,000+ lbs. The steering is quick and accurate, although it could offer a little more feedback. The cabin is a tranquil place, as no wind noise creeps in, not even at highway speeds.

Price

Prices for the 2024 BMW i4 range from USD 52,200 to USD 69,700 before options and excluding a flat USD 995 destination and handling fee. Production of the i4 takes place at the brand’s 102-year-old facility in Munich, Germany, since October 2021.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 BMW i4 offers superb style, high quality, advanced and intuitive in-cabin electronics, excellent driving dynamics, and a decent range. All that surely has to come at a premium over the 2024 Polestar 2 and the 2024 Tesla Model 3. While there is compromise in space and comfort, in my opinion, it’s still a highly recommendable option in the mid-size segment for customers who prioritize driving pleasure and luxury.

2024 BMW i4 FAQs