BMW i4 vs. BMW i5 – why bigger isn’t necessarily more attractive

The magical letter M remains with examples of electricity BMW implemented. The 5.06 meter long BMW i5 M60 xDrive is the most powerful variant and is on the same platform as the combustion engine versions. The BMW i4 also has a petrol and diesel counterpart. Once again we choose the top version, the BMW i4 M50 xDrive4.

The biggest difference between the two cars is the height difference. It makes a difference of not less than 27 centimeters. But surprisingly, you don’t see much inside. The BMW i4 offers less freedom of movement than the BMW i5. Although the doors are large and you don’t have to bend as deeply to get in as in the i4, you don’t have much legroom in the back. However, you sit more comfortably in the back seat, which is wider and higher.

The BMW i5 is an excellent rice car

The BMW i5 is also a better passenger car in other respects, offering distinctly more comfort than the BMW i4. The adjustable M suspension tuning is balanced and thanks to the standard air suspension on the rear axle, the body remains stoic even on bumpy roads.

The BMW i4 is also available with an adaptive M chassis and air suspension, but you still get more body roll than the BMW i5. What’s more, the i4 is no featherweight either, just 90kg lighter than the 2.3-tonne i5.

Use more or less the same

In acceleration tests, all-electric BMWs offer nothing. They need less than 4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h and the top speed is more than 200 km/h. Usage is also on par, as are range and fast charging times. The i5 battery provides energy for 371 test kilometers, and the i4 can go over 11 kilometers. The BMW i4 and BMW i5 can be charged with a maximum of 205 kW, so that the battery is 80 percent full in half an hour.

You can find more BMWs and other premium EVs in our free weekly newsletter.

Good infotainment

Finally, praise for easy operation (the menus in the i5 are more logically laid out), many connectivity options and a good infotainment system. But not for the price. Fear not: the i5 costs around 110,000 euros. The price difference with the i4, which costs 76,789 euros, is huge. The monthly costs are also higher, if you include depreciation.

BMW i5 vs. BMW i4 test Conclusion

If money is no object, the comfortable and luxurious BMW i5 will be a winner. But the additional price compared to the BMW i4 is high: more than 30,000 euros. Additionally, the utility costs are higher. The BMW i4 has another big advantage: it is not big and therefore easy to handle in the city.