2022 BMW i4 vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an affordable entry-level option for those aspiring to own a BMW, featuring the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to specific packages, and new driving-assistance safety features.

The test vehicle, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, M double-spoke alloy wheels, extra-cost paint, leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone charging, bringing the MSRP to $48,595. The car's design faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to improve proportions. The interior adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when well-equipped, did not feel like a basic BMW.

The 2022 BMW i4's styling closely resembled the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe, featuring an oversized grille and a four-door sedan design with a rear hatch. The i4 was more aerodynamic, with a base eDrive40 model boasting a drag coefficient of 0.24, compared to 0.28 for the 430i Gran Coupe. The i4 M50 had a 0.25 Cd, compared to 0.30 for the M440i xDrive Gran Coupe. BMW achieved this with design tweaks like a smooth underbody, front spoiler, rear diffuser, and an active flap for airflow control. The i4 also featured lighter alloy wheels, with 18-inch wheels standard on the eDrive40 and 19-inch wheels on the M50.

The battery pack was mounted below the floor, enhancing structural rigidity and handling. Despite the added weight from the battery, BMW used aluminum for the hood and front fenders to offset it. The interior balanced Tesla-style minimalism with traditional BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and familiar controls. The material quality met BMW's standards, though leather upholstery was not standard. The i4's interior design was efficient, with a low seating position and a center console that maximized space. However, the seats felt flat and hard, and the wireless charging pad was limited in size. The i4 offered folding rear seats, but cargo space was less than competitors, and it lacked a front trunk.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed the question of whether a front-drive platform could uphold BMW's "ultimate driving machine" reputation. While some critics, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, the 228i Gran Coupe's 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and optional AWD made it comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds, with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology like brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The M Sport Package added fantastic M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience. The suspension was firm but provided a glued-to-the-road feel, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate.

The 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 delivered 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, quicker than a base RWD Tesla Model 3. The M50 model's two-motor powertrain produced 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. The i4's battery pack lowered its center of gravity, enhancing handling despite its weight. Both i4 models featured rear air suspension and lift-related shocks, with the M50 also getting adaptive M suspension and M Sport brakes. The Dynamic Handling Package further improved the ride and handling. The i4's steering was precise, and the integrated braking system provided natural pedal feel. However, the adaptive recuperation system's variable regenerative braking was less predictable.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two people, with sport-bolstered front seats and adequate storage. Entry and exit were challenging due to its low-slung design. The rear seat was cramped, with limited headroom and legroom, and the hard plastic front seatbacks could be uncomfortable. The Gran Coupe's trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2022 BMW i4's seating position was low, but visibility was good. The fastback roof limited headroom, and the interior felt open despite limited side glass. The center console was efficiently designed, but the seats were flat and hard. The i4 offered 10 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors, and lacked a front trunk. The hatchback design provided a wider opening for cargo.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured Live Cockpit Plus with a 5.1-inch display and an optional Live Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system used iDrive 7.0 technology, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with multiple control options and responsive software. The test car had a premium sound system and a head-up display, though the latter was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 BMW i4 showcased the latest iDrive8 infotainment system and BMW Curved Display, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, OTA updates, and SiriusXM. The user experience was similar to previous iDrive versions, with a rotary controller, menu shortcut buttons, and effective voice recognition. Optional features included a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, and wireless charging.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and parking assistance. The test car had Active Driving Assistant features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The IIHS rated the car highly for crash protection but noted issues with headlights and pedestrian safety.

The 2022 BMW i4's crash-test ratings were unavailable, but it included standard driver-assist features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The Parking Assistant Package offered a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and Back-Up Assistant.