In 2011, BMW took a big leap into the EV space with its BMW i sub-brand. It attracted a new type of customer with the i3 and i8, two innovative vehicles that made mw, extensive use of carbon fibre, sustainable and recycled materials, and styling that was unique from the rest of BMW’s lineup. This avant-garde approach worked, but the existing, core customer base felt alienated as these new EVs were just too different from what they were accustomed to. The 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 rectifies that by not being weird or intimidating; it’s surprisingly normal and familiar feeling to the BMW faithful. We spent a week with it to see what this electric entry-level BMW has to offer.
Launched back in 2022, the i4 is the spiritual successor to the i3. As brilliant as it was from an engineering and technological standpoint, the i3’s range wasn’t great and it ultimately did not resonate with a lot of BMW’s established customer base. They wanted something evoking sheer driving pleasure in a more traditional sense. This is where the i4 eDrive40 steps in, minimizing the culture shock from internal combustion to electric propulsion while eliminating the need to overtly show everyone that you drive something different.
Admittedly, I was not a fan of BMW’s new kidney grille—or buck teeth as some people call it—though I quickly got over it by seeing how nicely proportioned and handsome the i4 really is, especially finished in our tester’s Cape York Green colour. To my surprise, not a single onlooker commented about the grille, but instead complemented the colour, followed by a remark along the lines of, “I didn’t know it was electric until you told me.” Considering this is a coupe first and foremost, the frameless doors are a nice touch.
If you have spent any time inside a newer 3 or 4 Series, the i4 looks and feels immediately familiar. Build quality is excellent, with little to no squeaks and rattles along with quality materials throughout the cabin. Our tester’s open-pore wood trim has a nice matte finish, minimizing glare while adding some contrast to the black interior. Despite the sloping profile, visibility is quite good and there’s a decent amount of space for the front occupants. If you’re over six feet tall, you’ll feel pinched in the back with headroom due to the sloping profile, but it is far from a penalty box considering heated rear seats come equipped. In terms of cargo capacity, the i4’s trunk can swallow 470 litres, or 1,290 L total with the seats folded down. The liftback opening makes loading and unloading a breeze, though a “frunk” would have been nice to carry a few more items.
The familiarity continues with the i4’s tech. As with many new BMW models, the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen live under one glass panel for an integrated and minimalist aesthetic. Though a lot of us miss the old look with the separate gauge cluster, the new iDrive 8.5 infotainment is very easy to use and among the best industry-wide. The layout is very easy to understand and you can use the touchscreen or the rotary knob on the centre console. A lot of the physical switchgear has unfortunately been deleted, thankfully the climate control stays on-screen all the time.
Compared to the xDrive40 from last year, this one is rear-wheel-drive, hence the eDrive40 designation. Despite not having the four-wheel traction, our tester demonstrated during absolutely frigid temps that it is still more than capable in maintaining its composure through snow and—gulp—black ice. With an 84.3 kWh battery pack, the i4’s single rear-mounted electric motor puts out a respectable 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. A zero-to-100 km/h sprint happens in 5.7 seconds in a smoother, progressive manner, rather than EVs like the i4 M50 and its 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of instantaneous, neck-snapping torque. This i4 eDrive40 is more than enough car for most people, even with our Canadian climate.
At 4,778 pounds, the i4 is heavy, but that is a common theme for any electric vehicle. Despite the mass, the i4 is surprisingly engaging to drive. With the floor-mounted battery pack along with the electric motor in the rear, it feels hunkered down on long sweepers and offers a lot of grip on tighter turns thanks to the inherent lower centre of gravity. If you want to geek out even more, the i4 eDrive40 has a weight distribution of 46/54 front/rear—similar to a Porsche Cayman GT4, at 45/55 front/rear. Fanboys [Like you. —Ed.] lament BMW’s bygone bygone days of driver engagement with hydraulic power steering, the i4’s steering feels surprisingly communicative and well-weighted for an electric power-steering unit. The i4 eDrive40 doesn’t just look the part of a sports sedan, but actually does a great job at being one. If electric propulsion still isn’t your thing, BMW offers the gas-powered M440i Gran Coupe for the petrolheads.
Keeping you safe is a nice host of safety systems. Equipped with the pricey $9,900 Premium Enhanced Package, our i4 tester had key safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and forward collision mitigation, to name just a few, in a quite comprehensive package. What’s neat is the ability to change the sensitivity of the systems, a nice touch for people who do not want too much interference while they are operating the vehicle.
When it comes to range, BMW quotes up to 484 kilometres on a full charge. During our week in temperatures hovering around -10 degrees Celsius, our estimated range dropped to 350 kilometres from a full charge. I was able to squeeze around 280 kilometres, with 20 per cent of juice before my range anxiety kicked in. On an Electrify Canada Level 3 fast-charger that could only manage 34.6 kWh, we got a full charge in about 3 hours. On a less powerful Level 2 charger—the kind you would install at home, or find at the office—expect a full charge in under 10 hours. Not terrible, but not great either. But much better than the i3.
The i4 eDrive40 starts at $63,990, but quickly adds up. Ticking line items such as the $9,900 Premium Enhanced Package and $2,500 M-Sport Package brought this i4’s as-tested price to $80,040, before taxes and destination. For such a high price tag, features such as a 360-degree camera, memory seats, and perhaps semi-autonomous driving should come standard, considering more mainstream brands offer these accoutrements at a lower price point.
The i4 is of the hidden gems in BMW’s electric lineup They listened to their core customer base in offering an EV that retains the core tenets of a competent sport sedan—comfortable, practical, and more importantly, engaging to drive—as a BMW should be. With this eDrive40 model specifically, people getting behind the wheel of one for the first time will be surprised that you can have Porsche sports car balance in a car that can do all the daily mundane tasks not just comfortably, but with a smile on your face if you do decide to have some fun.
If you’re a person that wants to fly under the radar but still enjoy the little moments in-between Point A to B, the 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 may just fit the bill.
