2026 BMW i4

The 2026 BMW i4 Gran Coupe aims to offer a premium EV experience that feels unmistakably BMW—confident, composed, and intuitively engineered. Think of the four-door hatchback as essentially the all-electric variant of the 4 Series lineup.

Luxury compact competitors include the Polestar 2 hatchback and Tesla Model 3 sedan.

What’s New

Improved range and power output for European i4 versions will apply to the 2026 model-year car for the U.S. market. New for 2022, the electric luxury car was refreshed last year.

This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.

What We Think

We dig the BMW i4’s balanced approach to electrification, blending innovation with a sense of familiarity. Recent updates give this electric luxury sedan a better chance to compete with rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

BMW doesn’t rely on futuristic design for the 2026 i4 like competitors do, with styling that fits seamlessly into the brand’s existing lineup. Brands like Tesla and Polestar have a tech head start, but BMW narrows that gap with last year's updates. The refreshed infotainment system now offers a simpler, more intuitive interface, eliminating the need to dig through multiple menus to find key functions.

On the road, the 2025 eDrive40 Gran Coupe we tested offered smooth, linear acceleration, a well-controlled ride, and confident handling. Equipped with the M Sport package, our test car also addressed a previous criticism with improved steering directness. We’re curious whether the base setup is as satisfying without the added enhancements, however.

As for range, the high-performance i4 M50 still lags top competitors, remaining average at best. That improves this year with small increase for certain other models.

Top-Ranked Competitors:

• Tesla Model S
• Polestar 2

MotorTrend Tested

The 2025 BMW i4 lineup starts with the eDrive35, producing 282 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from a single rear-mounted motor, good for a claimed 0–60-mph time of 5.8 seconds.

Moving up to the eDrive40 boosts output to 335 hp and 317 lb-ft, and in our testing, a pre-refresh version sprinted to 60 mph in an impressive 4.7 seconds. The post-refresh model was a tiny bit slower at 4.9 seconds.

For those seeking more grip and power, the dual-motor i4 xDrive40 adds all-wheel drive and delivers a combined 396 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque—enough to beat BMW’s conservative 4.9-second estimate, likely landing closer to 4.5 seconds.

At the top of the range, the i4 M50 now produces 601 hp (up 57 from last year), while torque holds steady at 586 lb-ft. With the previous model already hitting 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, expect the upgraded version to be even quicker.

EV Range and Charging

Again, RWD and AWD models are on offer. The i4 RWD variants pick up some range this year thanks to improved semiconductors. The eDrive35 on 18-inch wheels gains 13 miles of range while the eDrive40 on 18s adds 16 miles.

BMW i4 eDrive35

• Drivetrain: RWD
• Battery: 70.2 kWh (gross); 66.0 kWh (usable)
• Efficiency (comb): 116 mpg-e (with 18-inch wheels)
• Range: 279 miles (with 18-inch wheels)*
• Max Charge Rate: 180 kW

BMW i4 eDrive40

• Drivetrain: RWD
• Battery: 83.9 kWh (gross); 81.5 kWh (usable)
• Efficiency (comb): 112 mpg-e (with 18-inch wheels)
• Range: 334 miles (with 18-inch wheels)
• Max Charge Rate: 200 kW

BMW i4 xDrive40

• Drivetrain: AWD
• Battery: 80.7 kWh (usable)
• Efficiency (comb): 101 mpg-e (with 18-inch wheels)
• Range: 287 (with 18-inch wheels)
• Max Charge Rate: 205 kW

BMW i4 M50

• Drivetrain: AWD
• Battery: 83.9 kWh (gross); 81.5 kWh (usable)
• Efficiency (comb): 94 mpg-e (with 19-inch wheels)
• Range: 267 miles (with 19-inch wheels)
• Max Charge Rate: 200 kW

Safety Features

• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane keeping
• Traffic sign recognition
• Automatic high-beams
• Parking sensors

Cargo Space and Interior Room

Against its closest competitors, the i4 is about the same exterior width (approximately 73 inches), but at 188.5 inches long, it’s 7 inches longer than the Polestar 2. As such, the i4 provides both more cargo capacity and more rear legroom.

Legroom (front/rear)

• 2026 BMW i4: 41.5/34.2 inches

• 2025 Polestar 2: 42.2/33.9 inches

Cargo Space (seats up/down)

• 2026 BMW i4: 16.6/45.6 cubic feet

• 2025 Polestar 2: 14.4/38.7 cubic feet

Technology

Infotainment

All 2026 i4s feature a 12.3-inch driver display and 14.9-ibnch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Four USB ports are also standard.

Sound System

The base setup boasts 10 speakers. A 16-speaker Harman Kardon arrangement is also available.

Available Upgrades

A wireless phone charger, head-up display, and heated seats and steering wheel are also available.

Value

Standard Features

Driving range for this electric vehicle may not be class-leading but every i4 is engaging to drive and features solid tech and plenty of interior space. Since it looks so much like non-electric BMWs, it might be a little easier to adapt to for the EV anxious.

Recommended Trim

The BMW i4 eDrive40 continues to be the most value-oriented model in the lineup, balancing performance, range, and price.