The 2023 BMW i4 is the electric BMW sedan you’ve been waiting for

Enlarge / The BMW i4 M50 is the first BMW EV to benefit from the attention of the company’s M division. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

MUNICH—For all of my existence, the BMW 3 Series has been the default choice for an upmarket compact sedan with good driving dynamics. Or it was until a few years ago, when the Tesla Model 3 arrived and started to eat the 3 Series’ lunch. But now there is a battery electric vehicle that may turn things around for BMW, in the shape of a five-door fastback sedan called the i4.

After an early lead and then a bit of a stumble, BMW has recharged its electrification efforts. Last month, we went to Germany and drove the automaker’s newest flagship, a technology-laden sporty SUV called the iX. But the iX isn’t the only new BEV that BMW has been working on, and we got to spend a day with the range-topping $65,900 i4 M50 as well. The i4 is the first of BMW’s electric cars to be blessed by its legendary M division, and it comes with a pair of electric motors wrapped up in a sleek 4 Series Gran Coupe body. At the risk of spoiling the rest of this review, it’s really rather good.

The i4 M50 may not be a Nürburgring monster like the M3, but it’s a fast and powerful electric sedan that rides well and features some clever technology. (credit: BMW)

Our first clue about the i4 came back in 2017, when BMW showed off an electric four-door concept called the i Vision Dynamics. Last year, the company followed up with something much closer to the production car, the Concept i4. In June, I got face time with—but didn’t drive—the entry-level car, the $55,400 i4 eDrive40. That version makes do with a single motor driving the rear wheels, giving it 300 miles (483 km) of range.