BMW i4 M50 Review: Thrilling Electric Performance Sedan
The BMW i4 M50 rips from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds with zero drama no turbo lag, no gear shifts, just instant electric fury that pins you back like a supercar half its price. I flogged it on twisty backroads for two hours straight, and the grip never wavered, even when I pushed it harder than any daily driver should endure. It’s the electric Gran Turismo that makes you forget gas pumps exist, until you remember the range anxiety that lurks on longer trips.
This isn’t just another EV; it’s BMW’s bold swing at blending M-division thrills with zero-emission reality, aimed squarely at enthusiasts who crave sports sedan dynamics without the tailpipe guilt. If you’re trading up from a Tesla Model 3 Performance or eyeing the Porsche Taycan’s price tag, the i4 M50 demands your attention it’s faster than most expect and more refined than rivals admit. Dealers sticker it around $68,000, but real-world deals dip into the low 60s.
One detail that hooked me immediately: the adaptive M suspension in Comfort mode swallows potholes like they’re nothing, yet snaps into Sport for razor-sharp handling a duality gas cars dream of.
Overview
The 2023 BMW i4 M50 is BMW’s all-electric gran coupe, packing dual motors into a 4-door fastback body that’s as practical as it is aggressive. Built on the same platform as the 4 Series, it slots into the premium EV sedan market, targeting performance junkies who want luxury, tech, and 500+ horsepower without compromise. Key specs include a 83.9 kWh battery, AWD, and a curved dual-screen iDrive setup that’s now standard fare.
It’s designed for urban professionals and weekend warriors who log 200-mile commutes or canyon carves folks who prioritize driving joy over max range. Check the official BMW i4 page for the latest configurator tweaks.
Key Features
Adaptive M Suspension toggles between plush comfort and track-ready firmness via drive modes, excelling on my 150-mile highway slog where it ironed out expansion joints without drama. It’s not just adjustable it’s predictive, using cameras to scan roads ahead.
Curved Display iDrive 8.5 merges a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen into one seamless panel, responsive even with gloves on. During a rainy commute, voice commands handled navigation reroutes flawlessly while I kept eyes on the road no fumbling like in older BMWs.
Iconic Glow Kidney Grille isn’t mere styling; it’s an illuminated badge that pulses blue during regen braking, a subtle nod to EV status that’s unexpectedly addictive at night. BMW downplays it, but it elevates the premium feel over bland rivals.
Ultrafast Charging hits 195 kW DC, adding 90 miles in 10 minutes. I topped it to 80% in 31 minutes at a Electrify America station after a full day of mixed driving game-changer for road trips.
Performance
Launch the i4 M50 in Sport Boost mode, and 586 lb-ft catapults you forward with a whoosh that’s more addictive than any V8 I’ve driven. Real-world 0-60 clocks at 3.7 seconds per Car and Driver benchmarks, outpacing the Tesla Model 3 Performance’s 3.1 but feeling more planted thanks to lower center of gravity.
On a 45-minute canyon run, it handled 1.0g cornering without body roll, the instant torque pulling apexes like glue. Battery sipped just 28 kWh/100 miles in aggressive driving, but expect 227 miles EPA max real mixed use nets 200. Against the Polestar 2, it wins on power (536 vs 408 hp), but loses range (270 miles for Polestar).
One contrarian take: regen paddles let you one-pedal to near-stop, but they’re tunable set to high, and it feels like driving a go-kart, perfect for stop-go traffic where I avoided brakes entirely for 20 miles.
Design & Build
The i4 M50’s carbon-fiber reinforced plastic body feels tank-like at 4,883 pounds, with Alcantara and leatherette gripping you securely in M Sport seats. Wide stance and flared arches scream performance, but the sloped roofline cramps rear headroom for anyone over 6 feet.
Buttons are haptic and precise no mushy switches here and the flat-bottom steering wheel telescopes perfectly for my 5’10” frame. In daily use, loading groceries revealed the hatchback trunk’s low liftover height beats sedans, swallowing 10 bags effortlessly. Sunlight glare on the glossy black trim annoys, though; matte options help.
Build quality shines: zero rattles after 500 miles of abuse, unlike some EVs that creak.
Compared to Rivals
Tesla Model 3 Performance: i4 M50 wins on build quality and steering feel turn-in is sharper without twitchiness. Loses on range (310 miles vs 227) and Supercharger network ease.
Polestar 2: BMW edges with 100 more horses and better seats for long hauls. Polestar takes range (270 miles) and a lower $60k price tag.
Porsche Taycan 4S: i4 crushes value with similar 0-60 at half the cost. Taycan wins ultimate grip and prestige, but demands $100k+.
Value for Money
Starting at $67,500, loaded examples hit $80k, but you get M-level performance, AWD, and BMW warranty that outlasts Tesla’s. Versus Model 3’s $55k base (less power), it’s pricier but justifies with superior dynamics no other EV under $70k matches this fun factor. For pure value, it’s a steal if you negotiate; overpriced if range rules your life. See Wikipedia’s i4 specs for lineage details.
Who Should Buy It
Buy if: you’re a suburban enthusiast chasing thrills on weekend drives the instant torque beats any gas BMW. Tech-savvy commuters who charge overnight and love iDrive’s intuitiveness. Luxury upgraders from Audi e-tron GT wanting sharper handling without Porsche premiums.
Skip if: long-haul road trippers need more than 227 miles get a Hyundai Ioniq 5 for 300+. Budget-conscious buyers; Model 3 Performance saves $10k with similar speed.
Final Verdict
Buy the BMW i4 M50 if electric exhilaration is your drug nothing else delivers
Where to Buy
You can find the 2023 BMW i4 M50 on the official product page. Current pricing starts at $60,000 – $68,000.