Sunday Drive: Electrifying performance meets BMW’s signature luxury
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- The great lines of BMW come front and center in the new i4 M50 Gran Coupe.
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- Inside the 2024 BMW i4 M50.
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- Charging the BMW after a trip up to Ogden and back to Provo took about 25 minutes to get to 80%.
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- Inside the 2024 BMW i4 M50.
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- We enjoy every experience we have in a BMW; getting into the new i4 was just a whole new electric world.
Our first leap into the electrified world of BMW turned out to be an awesome week with the all new i4 M50 Gran Coupe. With its sleek design, powerful electric motors and all the refinement we would have expected from BMW, this all-electric sedan managed to fuse luxury with exhilarating performance in a way that certainly challenged our conventional perceptions of EVs.
Exterior design: Sporty and elegant – All BMW
At first glance, the 2024 BMW i4 M50 maintained the hallmark design language BMW has become known for, combining sportiness with an elegant, modern design. It shared the classic long-hood, short-deck proportions of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, with only subtle details distinguishing it as an EV. We loved the fact that you knew it was all BMW, but it didn’t scream ‘I’m electric’ at the same time.
The signature kidney grille, while mostly sealed off for aerodynamic purposes, was one of the design cues that reminded us of its gasoline-powered siblings. LED headlights, a muscular rear stance and sculpted body lines all combined to give the i4 M50 an aggressive look.
Driving it through areas like Springville and Mapleton, the car drew attention not only for its total BMW silhouette but also for its quiet operation — a telltale sign of its electric heritage. Be it parked in our driveway or just getting to work and back, it turned heads and had many asking us questions about the new BMW.
Interior: High-end luxury with advanced tech
We have always found that BMW has excelled in creating luxurious and driver-focused cabins, and the i4 M50 was no exception. The interior was a blend of high-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The cabin felt luxurious, with leather upholstery, soft-touch materials and brushed metal accents, giving us a sense of sophistication.
The first thing we noticed was the curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that blended seamlessly into the 14.9-inch infotainment display. This massive screen was powered by BMW’s latest iDrive 8 operating system, which offered intuitive controls for navigation, media and vehicle settings. It was incredibly responsive and allowed for voice and gesture controls.
Comfort is always paramount with BMW, and the i4 M50 did not disappoint us. The front seats were heated and ventilated, offering excellent support no matter where our week took us. Even on a longer drive to Ogden, the adjustable lumbar support ensured a fatigue-free journey. The rear seats offered ample legroom, making the i4 M50 a practical option for families or passengers in the back, although taller passengers may find the sloping roofline cuts into headspace.
Performance: Electrifying power at your fingertips
The heart of the 2024 BMW i4 M50 was its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, delivering a staggering 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. This power translated to a 0-60 mph time of just 3.7 seconds, making it one of the fastest EVs in its class.
From the first moment we pressed the accelerator, it was clear the i4 M50 was more than just a luxury sedan; it, of course, was a performance machine, as we would have expected nothing less from the M division.
Immediate torque delivery became addictive, especially when overtaking slower traffic on Intestate 15 or navigating the winding roads of a local canyon. BMW has done an excellent job of tuning the throttle response, making it easy to modulate whether during in city driving or out on the open highway.
One thing that stood out during our drives was the adaptive M suspension. It allowed the i4 to tackle Utah’s varied road conditions with ease. From the smooth highways to the occasional rough patch in more rural areas, the car remained composed and comfortable. The suspension adapted to the chosen driving mode, whether it was Comfort for a smooth ride around town or Sport mode for tighter handling when we really wanted to enjoy a curvy road.
BMW’s attention to detail extended to the regenerative braking system, which can be adjusted to suit the driver’s preferences. We found the one-pedal driving mode especially useful in stop-and-go traffic around town, where the car’s deceleration can bring it to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal.
Range and charging: Practical for daily use
One of the biggest concerns we have heard with electric vehicles is range, but the i4 eased those worries with a 270-mile EPA-estimated range. During our week of driving, which included a mix of highway cruising and city commuting, we found the estimate to be accurate. We have found, however, that it is paramount to have a home 220-volt Level 2 charger if you are going to be an all-electric owner.
Technology and safety features: Loaded with innovations
BMW has packed the i4 with a host of advanced safety features and driver aids. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring made highway driving a breeze, particularly on longer trips.
The i4 also included parking assist, which used cameras and sensors to help guide the vehicle into tight spaces — a particularly useful feature when navigating busy parking lots.
BMW also offered fast-charging capabilities, allowing the i4 to charge from 10% to 80% in around 31 minutes with a DC fast charger. We found this to be accurate after a trip to Ogden took the BMW to 25% and we charged at the Starbucks charger in Provo to 84% in just 24 minutes.
At the end of the week
With a base price starting around $69,000, the i4 M50 offered tremendous value considering its performance capabilities, high-tech features and premium build quality. While rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Audi e-tron GT also offer strong competition, the i4 M50 stands out for its driving dynamics, luxury and the sense of precision engineering that BMW is known for, and for staying true to the BMW brand.
Base price: $69,700
Destination charge: $995.00
Price as driven: $87,845
