BMW is taking a clever path to electrification, opting to lean on familiar model formats and naming conventions rather than break the mold and go for new variants. The i4 follows that plan, with electric vehicles (EVs) similar in size and appearance to the 4 Series cars. It features two high-performing configurations aligned with what luxury buyers have come to expect from the brand.

What’s New for the 2024 BMW i4

The i4 gained a new xDrive40 model for 2024, bringing 396 horsepower to the table. The automaker didn’t make any other changes to the lineup, but the car remains competitive, with up to 307 miles of range in some variants.

Design

BMW modeled the i4 after its four-door coupes, giving it a sloping roof and sleek exterior lines. While the car still features the brand’s signature kidney grille, it is mostly closed off, because there is no need to cool a gas engine under the hood. In the back, BMW installed an active diffuser system to improve aerodynamics, since there are no tailpipes to get in the way of design.

Powertrain

Four electric powertrain options are available for 2024. The eDrive35 gets a single electric motor making 282 horsepower; stepping up to the eDrive40 model brings a more powerful electric motor with 335 hp. Both are rear-wheel-drive (RWD), but two all-wheel-drive (AWD) options are available as well: The xDrive40 variant gets two motors making a combined 396 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, while the range-topping M50 model produces 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque from its two electric motors. Range estimates start at 301 miles for the eDrive 40, while the xDrive40 delivers up to 307 miles, depending on wheel selection. The M50’s hotter electric motors drain more electricity, pushing the range down to 245 miles.

##Interior BMW equips an upscale cabin with luxury materials and a pleasing, minimalist design. Synthetic leather is standard, while a range of genuine leathers and colors are available. A power sunroof, folding rear seats, sound insulation, dual-zone climate controls, and more are also standard. Available features include a heated steering wheel and front seats, ambient interior lighting, lumbar support, a sport steering wheel, ventilated seats, open-pore wood trim, and carbon fiber are available.

Technology

The i4 comes with BMW's iDrive 8 infotainment software running on a 14.9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board, and users can interact with the system through voice, touchscreen, or the rotary controller in the center console.

Safety

Forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, and a rearview camera are standard on the 2024 i4. The Active Driving Assistant Package is also standard, which includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and rear cross-traffic alert. The car also gets pedestrian detection and a city collision-mitigation system in some configurations.

Pricing

As of this writing, the 2024 BMW i4 starts at $53,195 after a $995 destination charge. The eDrive40 model starts at $58,295, and the xDrive40 at $62,595. Moving up to the i4 M50 pushes the starting price to $70,695.