BMW i4 2025 Review

With the rapid expansion of Malaysia's new energy market, competition in the luxury mid-size pure electric sedan segment is becoming increasingly intense. Among the many models, the BMW i4 eDrive 35 M Sport, launched in January 2025, has become a key focus for many consumers due to its brand appeal, sporty tuning, and balanced configuration. The core purpose of our test drive is to evaluate whether its actual performance lives up to its positioning as a "luxury pure electric sports sedan" and to assess its competitiveness compared to similar models.

In terms of appearance, the i4 eDrive 35 M Sport continues BMW's classic coupe silhouette, with smooth overall lines that exude a strong sense of sportiness. The front adopts BMW's signature kidney grille, but as an electric vehicle, the interior of the grille has a closed design, paired with a blacked-out treatment, making it highly recognizable. The front headlights consist of LED sources with sharp shapes and standard automatic lighting functionality, offering clear visuals when lit. On the side of the body, sleek fastback lines extend from the B-pillar to the rear, complemented by 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels (front tires 245/45 R18, rear tires 255/45 R18), further enhancing its sporty posture. At the rear, the LED taillights feature a continuous upper light strip design, combined with a minimalist rear bumper and concealed exhausts (a characteristic of electric vehicles), creating an overall simple yet refined style.

Stepping inside, the interior exudes both luxury and a sense of technology. The dashboard has a driver-oriented design, equipped with a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touch control center screen, seamlessly connected as one unit, offering smooth operation and clear displays. The center screen features BMW's iDrive system, supporting multimedia, navigation, and vehicle settings, making daily use convenient. In terms of interior materials, most areas are covered with soft-touch materials, complemented by silver trims and M Sport-specific sports seats, providing an overall high-quality feel. For seat configurations, the front seats support electric adjustment, while the rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 ratio, allowing for a flexible expansion of trunk space. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 470L, which is sufficient for daily family use. Regarding space performance, the vehicle has a wheelbase of 2856mm, providing spacious seating in the front; passengers with a height of 175cm have ample head and legroom. Rear passengers have about two fists of legroom, though the headroom is slightly limited due to the fastback design, but it is still sufficient for comfortable seating for adults. Additionally, both the front and rear seats are equipped with air conditioning vents and USB ports, adding to the overall practicality.

In terms of power, the i4 eDrive 35 M Sport is equipped with a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 210kW (286PS) and a peak torque of 400N·m, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6 seconds. During actual driving, the power response is quick at the start, providing noticeable thrust with a light press of the accelerator. When switched to sport mode, the power output becomes more direct, and with a firm press of the accelerator, the vehicle quickly accelerates, demonstrating the characteristics of a sports sedan. In terms of handling, as a rear-wheel-drive model, the steering is precise with minimal slack, offering moderate feedback and agile maneuvering. The suspension system features independent MacPherson struts at the front and independent multi-link suspension at the rear, tuned towards sportiness while ensuring comfort. When driving over bumpy roads, the suspension effectively absorbs most of the shocks, maintaining good body stability. In cornering scenarios, the vehicle's body roll is well-controlled, providing drivers with ample confidence.

In terms of range and charging, the vehicle is equipped with a 70.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with an official pure electric range of 500km. Under the scenario of approximately equal driving on urban roads and highways, the actual range achievement rate is about 85%, with a power consumption of approximately 19.2kWh per 100km, which is fairly standard. As for charging speed, in fast-charging mode, it takes 0.53 hours (about 32 minutes) to charge up to 80%, while slow charging requires 7 hours, which is sufficient for daily charging needs. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with an energy recovery system with adjustable levels, providing moderate recovery force that does not compromise driving comfort.

In terms of driving comfort, the vehicle offers excellent noise control; the motor noise is virtually inaudible at low speeds, and both wind noise and tire noise remain within acceptable limits at high speeds. The seats provide good cushioning and support, making long drives comfortable without causing fatigue. Regarding safety features, the vehicle comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, lane change assist, lane departure warning, and active braking. Features such as ACC adaptive cruise control and automatic parking increase the convenience of daily driving.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2025 BMW i4 eDrive 35 M Sport lie in its sporty driving experience, balanced space usage, and comprehensive configurations. Compared to the Tesla Model 3 Performance version in the same class, it has a stronger sense of luxury and brand appeal; compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350, its price (RM 294,800) offers better value for money. This car is suitable for consumers who value driving enjoyment, favor luxury brands, and seek an electric driving experience, especially young families or professionals, as it can meet daily commuting needs while accommodating short weekend trips.

Overall, the BMW i4 eDrive 35 M Sport is a pure electric mid-size sedan that balances sportiness, luxury, and practicality, offering strong competitiveness among vehicles in its class. If you're looking for an electric car with reliable branding, excellent driving experience, and rich configurations, it is worth considering.