Conventional wisdom says this EV will be a hit

Familiar looks and feel hide an impressive all-electric rival to the Tesla Model 3, writes Matt Allan

BMW’s first electric car – the i3 – was a wild and unique creation with weird bodywork and an unconventional interior.

Which makes it about as far removed from BMW’s latest EV as it’s possible to get.

If the i3 was all about standing out, the i4 is all about blending in.

In fact, if it wasn’t for the blue flashes and blanked off “grille” you could believe you were looking at just another 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Yet, despite its shrinking violet appearance this is an important car for BMW. It’s here to take on the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 in the world of electric exec saloons.

And so, in a way, it makes sense that it doesn’t look out of the ordinary. It’s the electric saloon/hatchback for people who want a 3 or 4 Series but feel they need to move to an EV.

Compared with a Tesla Model 3 it looks incredibly conventional but for many buyers that’s exactly what they want.

Like the exterior, the interior is clearly related to BMW’s existing combustionpowered range.

The cabin isn’t a straight lift from the 3 or 4 Series but the i4 does have a lot in common with them. Most of the controls and interior parts are shared with the ICE models and, predictably, the fit and finish is first class.

As well as looks, the i4 shares its whole platform with the 3 and 4 Series and that, unfortunately, means compromises. While groundup EVs can have flat floors and wide open spaces, the i4 still has a huge transmission tunnel that leaves it feeling cramped, particularly in the rear seats.

While the basic platform is the same, the i4’s drivetrain is all new. At its centre is a 80kWh battery pack powering either a single rear-mounted motor in the eDrive40 or a pair of motors in the M50.

As the name suggests, the M50 is the performance model. Its two motors drive all four wheels and put out a combined 537bhp compared to the 335bhp of the eDrive40.

The M50 will cover the 0-62mph run in 3.9 seconds. A Model 3 Performance will do 0-60mph in 3.1 but that’s

only a fraction of the story. The M50 feels fast enough in a straight line and once you get to some corners, BMW’s experience shines through with better steering, grip and control.

The 40 might lack the extra motor, adaptive suspension and additional bracing of the M50 but that doesn’t mean it’s a slouch. Even it will cover 0-62mph in less than six seconds and is better to drive than the Model 3 or Polestar 2.

The 40 also offers a better range. Its 365-mile maximum compares with 318 for the M50 but less than the Tesla’s 374.

While the Tesla has the edge on the i4 on range, the BMW feels like a better allrounder. It’s better to look at, vastly better to drive and has the user-friendly controls and premium materials you expect. If you want to switch to an EV with the minimum fuss, the i4 could be the way to go.