Update (November 19, 2024): ‘Price & Release Date’ updated.
Until the global BMW 3 Series Electric arrives in 2026, the BMW i4 is the closest luxury alternative to the popular Tesla Model 3 in the U.S. The mid-size four-door coupe debuted globally in March 2021 and reached stateside a year later. Now, it has received a facelift which brings an updated design and new features for the 2025 model year.
Last month, I saw the 2025 BMW i4 at the Paris Motor Show, exploring the changes in detail. Here’s what I think about the new electric car:
Design
The 2025 BMW i4 levels up aggression with more striking headlights that feature arrow-shaped light guides instead of the previous model’s U-shape signatures. The revised headlights produce a Welcome Light animation when the car recognizes its key within a 10 ft. distance.
The vertical kidney grille features a new three-dimensional pyramid structure as seen on the BMW iX for a more upmarket appearance. On the M50 variant that I reviewed, though, it has a notably different look, with simple horizontal slats.
On the sides, the 2025 BMW i4 sports new alloy wheels in 18-20 inch sizes. At the back, the refreshed model leaves a lasting impression with new combination lamps that feature intricate light threads illuminated using laser technology. The laser rear lights are standard on the M50 variant in the U.S.
Interior
The 2025 BMW i4 has subtle interior revisions for a classier appearance. It retains the conventional design and enhances it with tweaks like CraftedClarity glass applications on the gear selector, BMW iDrive Controller, and Start/Stop button on the center console, and a new, flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Unfortunately, the glass applications don’t seem to be available in the 2025 BMW i4 in the U.S. Another let-down is the exclusion of physical controls for seat and steering wheel heating, both of which have been integrated into the infotainment system, which runs on the BMW Operating System 8.5. Additionally, BMW has introduced new, rotate and tilt adjustment controls for the AC vents.
BMW offers 2025 i4 customers three new trim choices as well – M Fine Brushed Aluminum, Fineline Light Open-pore Fine Wood, and Ash Grey Blue Open-pored Fine Wood. Additionally, the company uses a smoother, more refined Sensatec upholstery for the dashboard features.
My experience with the 2025 BMW i4
As a six-foot-tall person, I felt stepping into the 2025 BMW i4’s driver’s seat isn’t as comfortable as I’d like, because the seat is low. That said, it’s just a trade-off for most cars of this class and nothing out of the norm and specific to this model.
I noticed that the front seats of the 2025 i4 have impressive lumbar support and I liked their thick side bolsters as well. The legroom wasn’t generous but not inadequate either. However, I think the headroom and the under-thigh support could have been much better.
In the rear, ingress was comparatively easier with the front seat adjusted according to my preferences. The leg space was limited but my knees weren’t touching the backrest of the front seat. The headroom was tight and it seemed the shoulder room wasn’t sufficient for three adults like me to sit abreast. I couldn’t help but notice the big hump in the center of the floor because of the transmission tunnel.
Specifications
The 2025 BMW i4 is available in the U.S. in eDrive40 RWD, xDrive40 AWD, and M50 AWD variants, with the same powertrains and 84.3 kWh battery pack as in the previous model.
The 2025 i4 eDrive40’s rear motor produces 335 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 118 mph. It delivers an EPA-estimated range of up to 318 miles.
The 2025 i4 xDrive40’s dual motors develop 396 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque, reducing the 0-60 mph sprint time to 4.9 seconds and increasing the top speed to 124 mph. Its EPA-estimated range is as high as 287 miles.
The 2025 i4 M60’s twin-motor powertrain generates 536 horsepower and 586 lb.-ft. of torque, further lowering the 0-60 mph acceleration time to 3.7 seconds and bumping the top speed to 140 mph. On a full charge, EPA estimates it can cover a distance of up to 267 miles.
The most basic eDrive35 RWD variant with the 68.7 kWh battery pack, although not yet announced, might be returning to our market. EPA has certified it, estimating a maximum range of 266 miles. This variant still uses the rear motor that produces 281 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, which should result in the same 0-60 mph acceleration time (5.8 seconds) and top speed (118 mph) as in the previous model.
Also See: U.S.-bound next-gen BMW iX3 to be the first Neue Klasse EV
Price & Release Date
In the U.S, the 2025 BMW i4 starts at USD 59,075 (incl. USD 1,175 destination fee). This new electric car has begun arriving at dealerships and is currently BMW’s best-selling electric vehicle both globally and in America. Between January and September 2024, BMW sold 17,666 units of the i4 in the U.S. Compared to the same period in 2023, YTD sales were up 2.8%.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
