BMW i4 facelift (2024 launch): What we expect

Update: All sections revised.

Introduced globally in March 2021, the BMW i4 went on sale in the U.S. in March 2022. The brand’s Tesla Model 3 rival isn’t all that old, but preparations for its facelift commenced last year, with reports claiming the mid-cycle refresh is penciled in for 2024. The new BMW i4 (facelift) could be just months from reaching dealers, and here’s our expectations from the renewed electric sedan that we expect to launch as the MY2025 series in the United States.

Design

As BMW’s first EV focused squarely on driving dynamics and positioned in the globally popular mid-size segment, the i4 is a pivotal model for the German automaker in its transition to electric vehicles. First spy shots from Europe have revealed that the four-door Gran Coupe will receive subtle cosmetic changes with the facelift.

Lightly camouflaged prototypes spotted in Europe show the new BMW i4 featuring revised slim headlights that have a familiar shape but new internals. The new daytime running lights seem to feature an inverted, L-shape, a design cue that remind us of Peugeot’s fang-like DRLs. These changes present the new i4 with a more aggressive appearance. The kidney grille appears completely sealed and is expected to showcase a fresh design, while the functional grille in the lower section will receive subtle updates as well.

To spruce up the side profile, BMW may offer the restyled i4 with new wheels in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch size options. Our rendering (pictured above) previews the various expected changes at the front and on the sides of the new electric sedan.

At the rear, spy shots have indicated the use of new lights on the updated model, though the exact design remains under wraps. There’s speculation that the rear lights will employ laser light technology, mirroring that of the headlamps. Additionally, the color palette is expected to expand with new choices.

Interior

The interior of the facelifted BMW i4 may not have drastic changes. It should continue featuring the BMW Curved Display (including a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch control display) running on the current model’s BMW Operating System 8.5.

The OS 8.5 has recently begun appearing on the i4, and we don’t see the facelift receiving the new BMW iDrive operating system 9.0 which is based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software. iDrive 9 has only been announced for the compact class, starting with the X1, and we don’t see the i4 gaining the new infotainment system in the immediate future.

That said, we’re expecting the new BMW i4 to have minor trim, upholstery, and material revisions. Like in the current M50 variant, heated seats and wireless phone charger should be standard in the 2025 M50 variant.

Specifications

The restyled BMW i4 should continue in eDrive35, eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50 variants, just like the outgoing model.

The eDrive35 and eDrive40 are single-motor RWD variants with 282 hp/295 lb.-ft. and 335 hp/317 lb.-ft. powertrains, respectively. The xDrive40 and M50 variants are dual-motor AWD variants sporting 396 hp/443 lb.-ft. and 536 hp/586 lb.-ft. powertrains, respectively. It’s likely that some of these would come with improved performance in the new i4 range.

The eDrive35 variant should have the familiar 67 kWh battery pack that can accept charging at up to 180 kW and the remaining variants should retain the 81.1 kWh battery pack that supports charging at up to 200 kW. Both units may have a 10-80% DC fast-charging time of approximately 30 minutes. As for AC charging, the peak input could be double that of the outgoing model – 22 kW, leading to a reduced time of around 4 hours. While the current i4 can travel up to 307 miles on a full charge, the new model may have a maximum range of around 315 miles.

BMW Group, like many other global automakers, has decided to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) in the U.S. and Canada. The company will implement the switch from CCS to NACS in early 2025. It will allow customers to charge their BMW EVs at Tesla Supercharger stations. There are more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada. BMW can change the i4’s charging port to NACS type with the mid-cycle refresh or start out by bundling an adapter.

Production

No surprise here: The BMW Group will manufacture the facelifted BMW i4 at its factory in Munich, Germany. According to a report BMW Blog published on August 1, 2023, the company will commence production of the refreshed electric coupe in July 2024, ending it in Summer 2028. We expect that the German automaker will place a high priority on the U.S. market for the i4, ensuring it’s among the first export destinations outside Europe.

Price & Release Date

For the U.S. market, we’re anticipating that the restyled electric sedan will be released as the 2025 BMW i4 during the second half of this year. It will compete with the updated versions of the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3 as well as the upcoming Mercedes CLA Electric, which is expected to debut in late 2024. Prices could start at around USD 53,000.

BMW does not publish model-wise sales statistics, but in its annual sales performance release for 2023, it mentions that 45,417 EVs were sold in the U.S., which includes the i4, i5, i7, and the iX carlines.

TopElectricSUV says

With a refreshed design, new colors and materials, and minor enhancements in performance and efficiency, the 2025 BMW i4 should be a decent overall update over the outgoing car. Although the individual changes may not be drastic, when combined, they are expected to result in an appealing high-quality, true luxury option as an alternative to the Tesla Model 3.

New BMW i4 FAQs

Featured Image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the new BMW i4 (2024 release)