The BMW i4 is a small but powerful electric luxury sedan based on BMW’s 4 Series. In base form, it’s efficient and fun, while more expensive trims add all-wheel drive and more power. Competitors include the Lucid Air, the Teslas Model 3 and Model S, and the Mercedes-Benz EQE.
2026 BMW i4 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 BMW i4
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 BMW i4
The BMW i4 lineup is updated for 2026 with a new trim level and better performance, including more power, improved efficiency, and a longer range. BMW has incorporated new inverter technology that improves the efficiency of the battery and the motors, which in turn increases both power and range. In accordance with this power hike, the M50 high-performance trim has been renamed the M60.
Design
The BMW i4 is a small sedan with fastback styling. It doesn’t stray far either from the brand’s aesthetics or the conventions of luxury EVs, such as big faux grilles and LED lighting. In high-performance M form, the i4 is more eye-catching courtesy of typical sporty touches such as bigger wheels framing bigger brakes.
Powertrain
The BMW i4 is available with three powertrains. The base eDrive40 model features a single motor and rear-wheel drive, and produces 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This year, BMW estimates range of 333 miles with 18-inch wheels and 307 miles with 19-inch wheels, an increase of 15 and 12 miles, respectively. The xDrive40 adds a second motor, which increases power to 396 hp and 443 lb-ft and adds all-wheel drive. This model’s maximum range of 287 miles carries over. Finally, the M60 (which used to be called the M50 but was renamed this year) gets two electric motors, with 586 lb-ft and 510 horsepower (41 hp more than the M50) which can rise to 593 hp in Sport mode. The M60 is rated for 278 miles of range on 19-inch wheels and 232 miles on 20-inchers—a increases of 11 and five miles, respectively.
Interior
The i4 accommodates five passengers across its two rows, though it’s not quite as warm and welcoming as a BMW should be. It has narrow door openings, scant leg- and headroom in both rows, and firm seat bolsters that can make it difficult to scoot in and out. Once seated, it’s comfortable, but getting there is more difficult than it should be. The i4 comes standard with synthetic leather, which is high enough in quality, but doesn’t add much to the environment. Consider budgeting for cabin upgrades, such as genuine leather in a softer color and perhaps some genuine wood trim. The i4 can accommodate 10 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk.
Technology
The i4 lineup features an elegant infotainment setup that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument display with a 14.9-inch touchscreen, housed behind a single curved piece of glass. Features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a user-friendly voice recognition system, and an augmented-reality navigation system. This BMW also includes Plug & Charge, which authorizes automatic payment when using compatible public chargers.
Safety
The i4 features BMW’s Active Driving Assistant package, comprising forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, with other standard features such as a rearview camera, automatic collision detection and notification and driver-alertness monitoring. BMW charges extra for adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, emergency stop assist, and a semi-automated limited hands-free highway driving system called Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The BMW i4 lineup has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is typical for a luxury electric vehicle.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 BMW i4 began production in November of 2025 and is available now. As of this writing, BMW lists pricing as starting at $57,900 for the eDrive40 and $62,300 for the xDrive40. The i4 M60 has a starting price of $70,700. These prices do not include the destination fee of $1,175.
