2023 BMW i4: Why It’s The Best EV Of The Year

As the only electric vehicle on Car and Driver’s 10Best list, the new BMW i4 pulls out all the stops, making it a genuine enthusiast EV.

Today we’re talking about the BMW i4 (again), the first full battery-electric car on BMW’s roster since the i3 was discontinued (RIP). Even as a pseudo replacement to the controversial, love-it-or-hate-it BMW i3, the new i4 EV puts any concerns of it being an i3 replica to rest. It’s an all-new, all-electric Gran Coupe with nary a strand of i3 DNA. It also stands alone as the only EV on Car and Driver‘s 2023 10Best list, which is a feat in and of itself.

What makes the 2023 BMW i4 such a stellar, Best EV of the Year Award contender according to the C/D panel of 10Best judges? It all boils down to performance.

Performance for the Ages

Flying a bit under the radar—it doesn’t necessarily scream “I’m an EV” just by appearance—the 2023 BMW i4 is the automotive industry’s version of a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Subtle on the outside, beastly when put in gear, the i4 gobbles up asphalt like it’s the last of Mom’s Christmas cookies.

The single-motor i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 models are built for everyday use. They can pound out 0-to-60-mph bursts in 5.8 and 5.5 seconds, respectively. That zippiness comes from i4’s all-electric motors: a standard 281-hp engine that makes 295 lb-ft of torque sits inside the eDrive35, while a buffer 335-hp/317 lb-ft torque motor powers the eDrive40.

How’s i4’s range? The base eDrive35 gets up to 256 miles on a charge, while the eDrive40 can push pash 300 miles. That should cure any local driver’s range anxiety. (Read more about EV charging.)

Then there’s the dual-motor BMW i4 M50, a performance Bimmer without the need for fuel. It gets up to 270 miles on a charge—it can also gain up to 97 miles in just 10 minutes of DC Fast Charging—and is equipped with a pair of all-electric motors that make 536 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque.

“When we first tested the dual-motor BMW i4 M50, we were shocked (pun fully intended) by how quick it was—M3 Competition quick, in fact… Several staffers quietly remarked that they’d rank it above any of the 2-/3-/4-series gassers coming out of Bavaria.” – Car and Driver

Car and Driver‘s i4 M50 test results speak for themselves:

Those numbers are even better than BMW’s official AWD i4 figures—the 2023 i4 M50 hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, for instance—which certainly makes it one of the most surprising electric cars of the year.

“Even against 10Best’s more expansive array of mostly internal-combustion vehicles, be they competitors or corporate twins, the BMW i4 stands out. As for EV rivals, it makes the Tesla Model 3 and Model S, in particular, look shockingly crude.” – Car and Driver

Of course, zipping through traffic like a whisper is only part of i4’s appeal. It’s also packed with futuristic, industry-defining tech like iDrive 8 infotainment, a 14.9″ touchscreen and BMW’s patented 12.3″ Curved Display, Icon Adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight, and a rotary controller at the bottom of the stack.

That may not sound impressive, but we assure you it is. You’ve just got to see the i4 for yourself, we suppose.

Buy or Lease a BMW i4 in South Florida

BMW’s electric vehicle sales last year totaled nearly 400,000—approximately 20% of their overall worldwide sales—representing a ~36% increase over the prior year. (To break it down, one in every five BMW vehicles sold in 2022 were BEVs.) It’s an exciting trend that coincides with BMW’s timeline of having at least 6 fully electric vehicles in their U.S. portfolio by 2030. The EV momentum is building. Can’t you feel it?

“The battery-electric BMW i4…gives us hope for the brand’s return to form. [i4] reminds us of the entry-level Bimmers we always loved—albeit with an EV twist. With plenty of driving range, multiple powertrains, and a cohesive driving experience, the i4 combines the best qualities of the automotive past, present, and future.” – Car and Driver

Get in on the rEVolution by requesting a quote on a new i4 at our Miami EV dealership. Call us at (786) 235-9765  to speak with a salesperson at our BMW dealership near Aventura. You’re also welcome to ask us about finding a good used electric car for sale in Miami – we’re all about switching to EVs, whether it’s a new or pre-owned one!