2026 BMW i4 Specs, Redesign, Changes
2026 BMW i4 Specs, Redesign, Changes – BMW has a long history of making cars that are really fun. Whether it’s an executive saloon, a quirky supermini, a massive SUV, or a two-seater roadster, the Bavarian automaker nearly always produces a car that makes you want to get behind the wheel and go. This feature is included in both its combustion-engine and electric vehicles.
BMW has been able to expand its range of electric vehicles faster than many other manufacturers thanks to models under the “i” sub-brand, including the larger and more luxurious BMW iX SUV, the BMW i7 luxury limousine (which was also our 2023 Luxury Car of the Year), and the BMW iX1 and iX3 family SUVs. The BMW i5, the zero-emission version of the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series, will be available in saloon and practical Touring estate models.
A small executive saloon, the BMW 3 Series, is the car that most people think of when they think of BMW. Despite the lack of an electric 3 Series, the i4 is a more than adequate substitute. Many BMW owners will immediately recognize it since it is essentially a five-door, battery-powered BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe with a handy hatchback tailgate. 2026 BMW i4 Specs
Table of Contents
2026 BMW i4 Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The 2026 BMW i4 is a smoother vehicle in traffic than the more conspicuous BMW iX SUV and BMW i7 limousine. Actually, there are a lot of similarities between the i4 and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe that it is built on. The closed kidney grille and the faint blue highlights are the clearest indicators that there isn’t a combustion engine under the hood. The big grille design, which has received some criticism, may be concealed by the extended Shadowline black exterior trim of the M Sport Pro pack, which offers you a black grille that blends in better than the normal chrome shadow option. All things considered, the i4’s exterior is still suitably sophisticated and stylish, and its five-door body style ensures that it will always be seen on the road.
The inside of the i4, which is largely faultless and has a variety of soft-touch materials, brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber accents, shows that BMW has not skimped on construction quality. The i4’s two digital panels, which create a curved display, are one of its noteworthy features. It is using the latest version of BMW’s iDrive operating system.
The basic eDrive35 Sport model comes with a reversing camera, sports seats, LED lighting, a heat pump that boosts the efficiency of the electric motor, and a choice of 17- or 18-inch wheels. The stylish M Sport trim, which costs an extra £1,500, comes with primarily visual improvements that are hard to ignore.
Among the various optional options offered to i4 buyers are a 17-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, a retractable tow bar, and an automated sliding sunroof. Alternatively, you might add one of the many available option packs, such as the Visibility Pack, which includes BMW’s Laserlight LED lighting technology and high beam assistance, or the Comfort Pack, which includes keyless entry and a heated steering wheel.
The i4 incorporates a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen into a single, delicately curved display, utilizing infotainment technologies from the iX electric SUV. It skillfully blends the iDrive clickwheel and shortcut buttons with contemporary touchscreen capabilities and is aesthetically beautiful. They are so simple that using them nearly always requires a second glance.
Drivers used to BMW’s simple analog clocks may find the semi-hexagonal speedometer design a little puzzling, but the displays are also quite appealing. The pictures are clear, though. With the latest version of iDrive, you can fully utilize the computing power of your smartphone by integrating the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps into the main screen. As a result, both apps function and look fantastic. 2026 BMW i4 Specs
2026 BMW i4 Specs
Engine & Performance
The 2026 i4 is equipped with BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive electric motors, which integrate the transmission, electronics, and motor into a single unit for enhanced efficiency. But the i4’s driving power could be the manufacturer’s greatest achievement. The five-door Gran Coupe can handle bends well despite weighing over two tons because to its precise handling, enough traction, and absence of understeer. Apart from the lack of combustion noises, we think it would be hard to tell an i4 from a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe that runs on fossil fuels when driving.
The weight of the i4 should make the ride more difficult, but if you go for the M Sport model with the M Sport Pro pack, you can modify the ride with variable suspension. Whether you’re on a meandering B-road or longer interstate excursions, the i4 is a great long-distance cruiser in Comfort mode since the dampers make the ride agreeable and absorb most of the road bumps.
The center of gravity of the i4 is 53 mm lower than that of a BMW 3 Series saloon due to BMW’s deliberate placement of the battery low in the floor. This somewhat counteracts the weight gain of the electric i4.
The i4 has excellent fineness. This electric BMW was the quietest car in our business car group test, even when compared to the Tesla Model 3, which has been significantly improved to eliminate unwanted noise. The rear-wheel drive, single engine i4 eDrive35 produces 282 horsepower, which enables it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in precisely six seconds, while the eDrive40 produces a more generous 335 horsepower, which speeds up the same race to 5.7 seconds. The top speed of both versions is 118 mph.
The quickest i4 is the twin-motor, four-wheel drive M50. It can produce 537 horsepower for 10 seconds in “Boost” mode, which allows you to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. On average, it generates 469 horsepower. The M50 also boasts the fastest top speed, at 139 mph.
Even though the standard i4 eDrive35 version of the 2026 BMW i4 only generates a powerful 400 Nm of torque, it feels tremendously quick straight out of the start. The enhanced power and torque (430Nm) of our favorite eDrive40 efficiently lowers the weight of its larger battery pack. Even if the next Tesla Model 3 Performance is expected to accelerate in less than 3.0 seconds, the M50 appears to be more than swift enough. 2026 BMW i4 Specs
2026 BMW i4 Fuel Economy
The four-wheel drive M50 can travel 324 miles, the eDrive40 can travel 373 miles, and the upgraded eDrive35 can travel 311 miles. Officially, all 2026 BMW i4 models achieved the 300-mile electric range benchmark. The more than enough range for everyday driving allows you to manage the odd longer trip without continuously alternating between rapid charges.
The efficiency of the i4 allows for such a wide range. During our workplace vehicle group test, a pre-facelifted eDrive35 achieved 3.6 miles per kWh, which was higher than the Polestar 2 Single Motor Long Range’s 3.3 miles per kWh and the Hyundai Ioniq 6’s 3.1 miles per kWh, but lower than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range’s 3.8 miles per kWh.
With an 83.9kWh (80.2kWh usable) battery, the eDrive40 and M50 have a greater range than the eDrive35, which has a 70.2kWh (70.2kWh usable) battery. All versions have a basic heat pump, which provides a more efficient means to heat the inside in cold weather without drastically lowering the electric range, so you should still be able to go far in colder climates. Please be advised that the M50’s range is greatly reduced by its added weight, four-wheel drive system, and some of the larger wheel options.
If you utilize an ultra-rapid charger capable of reaching such rates, the maximum charging speed of the i4 may vary depending on the model you select, ranging from 180kW for the base eDrive35 to 207kW for the eDrive40 and M50. In any event, charging from 10 to 80 percent will take a little more than 30 minutes for all variations. Buyers receive a free 12-month membership to the BP Pulse and Ionity Plus charging networks, which reduces operating costs, particularly if you travel longer and use rapid chargers more frequently. A BMW Charging card, which offers consumers fixed rates per kWh for both AC (slow charging) and DC (rapid charging), is then available for purchase.
If you can install a standard 7.4kW home wallbox charger, the eDrive35 will take around 11 hours to completely charge, whilst the eDrive40 and M50 require 13 hours.
2026 BMW i4 Safety Features
In 2022, industry safety regulators Euro NCAP gave the 2026 BMW i4 a four-star rating out of five in a crash test. The lack of a brake application mechanism following a collision and a preventative measure to protect the driver and front passenger from harm in the event of a side impact were stressed by the experts. Furthermore, it did a poor job of lowering pelvic injuries in pedestrian incidents. Regretfully, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6 were given the highest possible rating of five stars in 2022 after being assessed using the same criteria as the i4.
However, the i4’s robust baseline safety package includes BMW’s Driving Assistant package, which employs radar and camera-based driving assistance technologies to help prevent crashes. With the additional Tech Plus bundle, you may upgrade to the Driving Assistant Professional system, which includes a head-up display and other semi-autonomous safety features.
BMW has always done badly in our annual Driver Power owner satisfaction surveys. In fact, in our 2023 top carmaker rankings, it fell from 16th position in 2022 to 21st place (out of 32). The recently deceased BMW i3, which ranked 13th in the 2023 research, was the best-performing individual BMW car; three other BMW vehicles also reached the top 75 list.
2026 BMW i4 Release Date & Price
Starting at around £51,000, the entry-level i4 eDrive35 is thousands of pounds more expensive than the equivalent Tesla version 3 or Polestar 2. The eDrive40 begins at over £59,000, while the M50 model costs nearly £72,000 to enjoy its performance. However, BMW’s structure is unrivaled and its handling is better than that of its closest rivals.
Conclusion
The 2026 BMW i4 is an excellent creation of engineers in Munich. The German company’s renowned engineering skill has only been highlighted by the move to battery power. It is the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s all-electric version. Customers may feel more at ease since the company’s driver-focused DNA has not been lost in translation.
Despite the Gran Coupe’s sophistication and state-of-the-art technology, the i4 will appeal to more than just professional drivers. Its useful rapid charging feature and decent range further contribute to its outstanding all-around performance. The i4 has earned our Premium Electric Car of the Year title twice in a row in 2022 and 2023 because, in our opinion, it is well worth the extra money, despite being somewhat more costly than its close rivals.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
