eDrive35

eDrive40

xDrive40

The BMW i4 is a battery-electric gran coupe that competes directly with the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 in the premium EV segment. Built on a modified version of BMW's G26 platform, it retains the driving dynamics and interior refinement the brand is known for while offering four distinct trims from the entry-level eDrive35 to the 536-hp M50. Reviewers at Car and Driver and MotorTrend consistently single out its steering feel and chassis balance as rare strengths in the EV class, and its interior quality is widely considered a cut above most rivals at similar price points.

Steering and chassis tuning earn repeated praise from Car and Driver and MotorTrend as among the most engaging of any electric sedan, with rear-wheel-drive trims particularly rewarding

The eDrive40 delivers 318 miles of EPA-rated range, outpacing rivals like the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD on a single-motor setup

Interior material quality, fit and finish, and the curved iDrive 8 display are consistently rated above segment average by Edmunds and InsideEVs

The M50's 536 hp and 3.7-second 0-60 time offer legitimate performance-car credentials while retaining everyday usability

DC fast charging at up to 205 kW on compatible hardware allows reasonably competitive charge stops for a non-Tesla platform

iDrive 8 moves climate and vehicle controls into touch menus, a change Car and Driver and many buyers find reduces usability compared to physical controls

The M50 and xDrive40 AWD variants carry a range penalty, dropping to 269 and 287 miles respectively versus the 318-mile eDrive40

Starting at $53,400 for the eDrive35, the i4 is priced at a premium over functionally comparable rivals, and desirable options push real-world transaction prices significantly higher

Rear headroom is tight for taller passengers, a known limitation of the sloping gran coupe roofline noted in multiple long-term reviews

M60 xDrive

The BMW i5 is a fully electric executive sedan slotting into the 5 Series lineup alongside its combustion siblings, targeting buyers who want German luxury-sport character without compromise. Built on BMW's CLAR platform and available in three trims spanning $67,100 to $86,100, it competes directly with the Mercedes EQE and Audi e-tron GT. Reviewers consistently highlight its driving dynamics as class-leading for the segment, and its interior quality and refinement have drawn favorable comparisons to the combustion 5 Series it shares a platform with.

Driving dynamics rank among the best in the electric executive sedan segment, with Car and Driver and MotorTrend both noting sharp steering and well-controlled body motion uncommon for a vehicle of this size

The M60 xDrive delivers 593 hp and a 3.7-second 0–60 time, making it genuinely competitive with dedicated performance EVs at its price point

Interior materials and build quality are on par with the combustion 5 Series, with a high-resolution curved display and available Merino leather that reviewers describe as among the best in class

The eDrive40 achieves 295 miles of EPA-rated range on a single charge, ranking competitively against the Mercedes EQE 350 and outpacing several rivals in real-world range tests conducted by InsideEVs

DC fast charging at up to 205 kW allows the battery to recover significant range in under 30 minutes, a meaningful improvement over earlier BMW EV platforms

The iDrive 8 infotainment system, while visually impressive, draws consistent criticism for burying frequently used controls in deeply nested menus, a point raised by both Edmunds and Car and Driver

Range drops noticeably across trims as performance increases, with the M60 xDrive rated at only 256 miles versus 295 miles for the base eDrive40, a 39-mile penalty for choosing the top trim

At $67,100 to start, the i5 is priced above key rivals including the base Tesla Model S and carries a cost-of-entry that limits its audience despite being positioned as a volume executive sedan

Rear passenger headroom is tighter than expected for the class, a trade-off from the sloped roofline, and multiple reviewers note it is noticeably less spacious than the i5 Touring wagon variant offered in Europe

	BMW i4	BMW i5
Body type	sedan	sedan
Trims	4	3
Starting price	$53,400	$67,100
Max EPA range	318 mi	295 mi
Max power	536 hp	593 hp
Quickest 0–60	3.7 s	3.7 s
Federal tax credit	Not eligible	Not eligible
Drive options	Single-Motor RWD Dual-Motor AWD	Single-Motor RWD Dual-Motor AWD
	Full BMW i4 specs →	Full BMW i5 specs →

BMW i4 vs. BMW i5