I’ve once more had the pleasure of spending a week with the BMW i4 – a car that reminds me why I love this job every time I drive it. This is the third time in almost as many years that I’ve been behind the wheel of an i4, and every single time, it strikes me how well BMW nailed this car. Layout, styling, technology, performance. It really checks every box.
If you’re in the market for a midsize premium EV and have the budget for it, forget the Tesla Model 3. Forget the Kia EV6, though I do like it. Just get the BMW i4. Go online or visit a dealership. It’s that good. And yes, it was also named the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s Electric Car of the Year, deservedly so.
The version I drove is the i4 eDrive40, finished in Cape York Green. The i4 is a Gran Coupe, so it has that sloping, elegant roofline that’s somehow practical and gorgeous. Pricing in Canada starts at $54,900 for the entry-level eDrive35, a version we’re lucky to have here but unavailable in the US. Even that base model pumps out 282 horsepower and can sprint to 100 km/h in about six seconds. It’s quick, it charges fast (up to 180 kW), and the 70.3-kWh battery is good for real-world commuting and then some.
Move up to the eDrive40, the one I drove, and things get even better. Starting at $63,900, it delivers 335 horsepower and a bump in battery size to 83.1 kWh, suitable for a theoretical 512 km of range (on 18-inch wheels). Step up to the xDrive version for about $70,000, and you get all-wheel drive, 396 horsepower, and even more usable performance. The M50, starting at $80,500, is an absolute rocket if that’s your style.
My test car, equipped with several packages, including Premium Essentials (heated seats and steering wheel, a must-have in Quebec) and M Sport bits, cost about $75,000. Pricey, yes, but once you drive it, the math makes sense.
Inside, the i4 is pure BMW. The fit and finish are exceptional. The materials are properly premium, and the overall atmosphere is luxurious without looking overdone, as it is in the X3. The massive, curved display works well once you get familiar with the menus, and the optional textured wood trim adds a level of just-right sophistication. Minor quibble: the HVAC controls can be fiddly with gloves on. And yes, I miss proper lumbar adjustment. After 45 minutes, my cranky old back begged for more support.
The rear-seat space is decent for two adults, though squeezing three across would be challenging. The hatchback trunk, though, is a huge win—it is practical, spacious (470 litres), and easy to load.
On the road, the i4 comes alive. The single rear-mounted electric motor in the eDrive40 provides sharp, immediate torque. Despite weighing around 4,700 pounds, it’s agile, balanced, and genuinely rewarding to drive. While not hyper-communicative, the steering has just enough feedback to remind you you’re piloting something built by BMW. The brakes – both regen and mechanical – are excellent, and standard rear air suspension smooths out the worst of our Montreal potholes.
This isn’t just a good EV. It’s a great car. It drives better than the 330i I tested recently – more playful, more planted, and somehow more BMW despite being heavier and electric. Even compared to a Tesla Model 3, the i4 belongs in an entirely different league. It’s refined, whereas Tesla is rough. It’s rewarding when the Tesla is just quick.
Charging is equally impressive. With a proper fast charger, you can go from 10 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes. The range is also usable in the real world. Even in less-than-ideal conditions, I still saw well over 450 km on a full charge.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that intelligent door handles are optional when they should be standard at this price point. Also, the rearview camera placement means it’s constantly dirty when the roads are wet. But these are tiny complaints when you look at the whole picture.
The 2025 BMW i4 isn’t just good for an EV. It’s good, full stop. It preserves the magic that made BMW special in the first place, if for an EV, and maybe even adds more.
Just 252 examples of the 2027 Escalade-V Collector Series will be offered across Canada and…
A fuel line connection could separate on certain 2024–2027 Land Cruisers, potentially causing a fuel…
This model features slightly more rugged design elements and a raised suspension. The steering rack,…
The Cybercab is a two-seater driverless vehicle that doesn’t feature pedals or a steering wheel.…
BRABUS will build 10 P 900 Rocket Edition pickups worldwide. The G 63-based conversion rockets…
Two Mercedes-Benz CLA models, each weighing more than two tonnes, were involved in a side-impact…