What is an i4? The i4 is an all electric compact sport sedan with a hatchback style rear trunk lid, built in Munich, Germany and sold worldwide by BMW. For 2023, there are 3 versions: the eDrive 35, the eDrive 40 and the M50. The eDrive 35 is equipped with a single rear mounted electric motor that produces 281 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The eDrive 40 increases output to 335 HP and 317 lb-ft of torque, and that’s more than enough power to get you to the grocery store, and then on to Costco for the big stuff.
The M50 has an electric motor on both axles, which together provide AWD all wheel drive, with 536 HP horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. The M50 hits 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds and is quicker than a RWD rear wheel drive BMW M3 Competition Edition. The rear drive i4 has a set of 18″ rims and 19″ rims are optional on all models.
The fuel economy in combined driving is 99 MPGe, the greenhouse gas rating is a 10, the smog rating is a 10, which is the best you can get, as this is an all electric vehicle that burns zero fossil fuel and is 100% driven by battery power. The charging time on a 240 volt level II charger is 10 hours and the total driving range on a full charge is 282 miles. These are all nice numbers for an EV that can make it more than half way to LA on a full charge.
This week BMW sent me a 2023 i4 eDrive 40 with 19″ wheels to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model is $55,400. The options on the press car are: the metallic paint for $1,500, the dynamic handling package for $1,750, the driver assistance pro package for $1,700, the shadowline package for $400, the M Sport package for $2,400, the parking assistance package for $700, the premium package for $950, the iconic electric sound package for $100, the wireless charging pad for $200, the 5G network upgrade for $300, the curved dash with HUD for $1,000 and the Harman Kardon premium surround sound system for $875. The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $995 delivery fee, is: $68,270.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $76,804. At near $77 Grand this i4 eDrive 40 checks off all the right boxes to be a nice buy for an all electric vehicle with the power, style, comfort and luxury of a BMW, with top shelf German engineering.
This i4 has several M Sport options that add significant performance, value and comfort to the base car. The M Sport additions are: variable M Sport steering, a set of 19″ M Sport Aero aluminum alloy wheels, aluminum mesh M Sport trim, a M Sport steering wheel, shadowline exterior trim, M Sport disc brakes with Red painted brake calipers, active driving assistance, and M Sport shadowline lights with extended shadowline trim.
The Premium Package includes: a heated steering wheel, lumbar seat supports, heated front seats, ambient lighting, an active driving recorder, active parking distance assist, a rear view camera with 360 degree surround view, Apply CarPlay, wireless charging, dual zone climate control, the curved dashboard with HUD head up display, a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers, an acoustic anthracite headliner, auto dimming side view mirrors and an active extended traffic jam driving assistance package.
Loyal current and former BMW owners and lessees can receive up to $7,500 in total federal tax credits when they get behind the wheel of a new 2023 BMW i4, with financing thru BMW Financial Services. Lease agreements and retail contracts are subject to credit approval. See your BMW dealer for current terms and conditions.
When you’re ready for a new all electric sport sedan, and you want a great running and driving EV, then the 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 40 should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the nicest and sport oriented electric EV’s in the entire all electric compact class.
Call, click or visit your local BMW dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 40 sport sedan. And remember that the base price for a new i4 starts at only $52,000. BMW – The Ultimate Driving Machine.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, take care, and enjoy the ride – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to [email protected] and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
