BMW i4

It’s no surprise that EV power is smooth and immediate, but the i4’s power delivery is particularly satisfying. The acceleration is rapid, without being jarring. And the power continues to build and speeds soar, unlike some EVs that tend to plateau. This makes the i4 pleasant around town and invigorating whenever you want or need it to be.

The i4 is taut and agile in true BMW fashion. But thanks to the absence of an engine over the front axle and the low placement of the battery, the i4’s body stays especially flat in corners when pushed, bolstering driver confidence. The steering is quick to respond even if it’s not the most communicative in terms of feedback. Upping the ante on our track, this i4 exhibited tenacious cornering grip, no doubt thanks to the optional 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero ultra-high-performance tires. But if you don’t frequent a track every weekend, we would rather not compromise the range.

The i4 strikes an impressive balance of ride comfort and a tied-down feeling that greatly contributes to high-speed stability. The compliant suspension manages to wrap most bumps with a layer of absorbency, and the body remains composed barring an occasional quick pitch. We attribute this balancing act to the M Adaptive suspension that’s part of the High Performance package.

With the optional Driver Assist Pro, the i4’s adaptive cruise control was spot on, slowing down for traffic piling up ahead and resuming progress once traffic cleared, all on its own. Its lane centering feature worked in the background and felt unobtrusive. The i4 even changes lanes by itself if you activate the directionals and the car deems that the coast is clear, and it performs this feat smoothly.

The front seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, and their resilience more than matches the car’s driving range. Note that the four-way lumbar support is part of the optional Premium package.

The cabin exudes quality, the cognac colored synthetic leather seats, brushed aluminum trim, and detailed stitches. Almost every surface is soft to the touch, and all switchgear works with satisfying precision.

Without breaking the sleek coupe silhouette, the i4 is actually a hatchback because the rear glass opens with the trunk. The cargo space is generous and augmented by a sturdy two-part cargo cover.

Of course, EVs don’t have an engine that hums and vibrates, but even by EV standards this BMW is super quiet with barely any wind or road noise. Other than some low-level tire noise from those big Pirellis, the i4 feels tight as a drum. But if you’re not ready for so much quiet, BMW has a party trick up its sleeve: You can choose the Iconic Sounds (part of the optional High Performance package) from the on-screen menu, and turn on artificially simulated engine sounds to accompany the various driving modes. We liked the baritone effect in Comfort mode, but thought that the louder throaty effect in Sport mode was over the top. We wonder if customers will enjoy the sounds for five minutes and then turn them off or keep them on.

Giving up 30 miles of range (301 to 270) to gain dual motors and thus all-wheel-drive capability is par-for-the-course for EVs these days. But with the optional 20-inch tires buyers should note that in addition to the $2,500 High Performance option, there comes another range penalty to the tune of 43 miles (270 to 227). This configuration puts the i4 at a disadvantage next to lower-priced EVs, and the trade-off requires more frequent charging. Getting bigger tires, 19 inches instead of 18 inches, also cuts down the range from 301 to 282 miles on the RWD eDrive40.