2022 BMW i4: Specifications, Variants and Buying Guide
2022 BMW i4 — this record documents the US formal model-year configuration of the liftback. It does not assume a single worldwide drivetrain, certified range or equipment list.
What changed and why it matters
The 2022 BMW i4 takes a different path from a tall, dedicated electric SUV. Based around BMW's fastback executive-car formula, it keeps familiar road-car ergonomics while exchanging the combustion drivetrain for battery propulsion. Its rear liftgate adds utility compared with a traditional sedan trunk, and its comparatively low silhouette will suit people who do not want a crossover. Yet eDrive40 and M50 are fundamentally different propositions in power, traction and rolling equipment.
Powertrains, batteries and 2022 market specifications
- US · i4 eDrive40 with 18-inch wheels — single-motor battery electric; RWD; single-speed. battery usable kWh: 81.1; motor output kW: 250; epa range miles: 301. Cycle: EPA.
- US · i4 M50 with 19-inch wheels — dual-motor battery electric; AWD; single-speed. battery usable kWh: 81.1; system output kW: up to 400 kW; conditional manufacturer figure; epa range miles: 270. Cycle: EPA.
Who should consider it?
The rear-drive i4 eDrive40 is the range-conscious version, with BMW quoting a 301-mile U.S. EPA result on its specified 18-inch-wheel configuration. The M50 uses two motors and all-wheel drive, emphasizing acceleration and traction at the expense of range; the referenced 19-inch example is rated at 270 miles EPA. Wheel and tire choices affect both certified energy efficiency and ride feel, so buyers should not attach one number to an entire nameplate.
Ownership trade-offs and limitations
The 81.1 kWh figure is usable battery energy in the source, not permission to interchange gross battery specifications from other websites. Driver-assistance options, seat packages, charging equipment and wheel diameters require build-sheet checks on individual cars. Winter performance and high-speed consumption vary beyond a laboratory cycle. Owners should assess home or workplace charging and understand that repair costs for luxury-brand wheels, electronics and collision panels may matter more than a monthly electricity estimate.
Worthwhile alternatives
The Tesla Model 3 is a natural lower-profile electric alternative but offers another control philosophy. A Polestar 2 also competes with its liftback proportions; the Mercedes EQE sedan offers a larger and more comfort-oriented layout. An i4 suits someone who wants an EV that still feels like a conventional BMW sport-sedan family member, while those needing maximum cargo height should look beyond the liftback silhouette.
2022 identity and data caveats
The broader European 2021 launch history is acknowledged, but all numerical certified driving range values in these variants are U.S. MY2022 EPA values only.
Sources and Further Reading
- BMW Group PressClub USA: The New 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50 (2021)
- BMW Group PressClub Global: The First-Ever BMW i4 (2021-06-02)