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BMW iX and BMW i4 compared – Which is the right EV for you?

(Updated: 16 May 2023)

Going fully electric.

Drivers aiming for a more sustainable drive can look to BMW with for its first battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the BMW iX and BMW i4. With design elements that are distinctively BMW, these BEVs are luxurious, filled with tech, and drive superbly.

But which one is better for you?

We compare the BMW iX and BMW i4 in terms of pricing, range, technology, space and more, to help you decide which you’d want to drive home in.

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Blanked off kidney grille

The fully electric BMW iX and BMW i4

The new BMW iX is a fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with a distinctive design – it is well-proportioned, minimalist with sharp lines and edges, and lovely sporty wheels. As a bespoke flagship EV model, it was built from the outset with electric mobility in mind.

The BMW i4 is a four-door gran coupé that comes in a low-slung sporty design. Unique touches are the blue accents on the kidney grille, around the BMW emblem and a few interior elements, depending on how you spec yours – which hints at the battery technology. There is also the BMW i4 M50, the first fully electric vehicle to carry the M badge.

For both EVs, while they have kept the typical BMW face with the iconic kidney grille, this has now been closed off to make it more aerodynamically efficient. Instead of performing its classic cooling function, the blanked off kidney grille now integrates a camera depending on the options equipped with the car, as well as ultrasonic and radar sensors.

BMW iX vs BMW i4: Price and Range

Let’s go with the most asked questions – how much do these BMW EVs cost and what is the range?

The BMW iX starts from $497,888 for the xDrive40 model. With the BMW iX, you get a range of up to 425km (WLTP estimate) and an impressive 326 horsepower from its powerful electric motors, which drives both the front and rear wheels.’

>>DOWNLOAD: BMW iX spec card

The BMW i4 Grand Coupe starts from $366,888, and for that you get a more powerful 340 horsepower driving the rear wheels, and an estimated WLTP range of up to 590km.

>>DOWNLOAD: BMW i4 spec card

BMW iX vs BMW i4: Charging Time

The BMW i4 has the larger capacity at 83.9kWh. It also has the quickest rapid charging capacity at 200kW. With its specially-designed slim high-voltage battery, charging from 0-100% takes less than 9 hours from a wall box from BMW. With a compatible rapid charging station that is capable of supplying 200kW, the BMW i4 can add 100km range in just 4 minutes.

The BMW iX on the other hand has 76.6kWh. It takes around 8 hours to fully charge with the wall box. It takes 8 minutes to add 100km range with a rapid charging station that can supply up to 150kW.

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Rapid charging makes short work of getting you on the road again

BMW iX vs BMW i4: Performance

Both the BMW iX and BMW i4 deliver impressive performance.

The BMW iX xDrive40 goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds with 326 hp and a maximum torque of 630Nm. It includes two electric motors that deliver an electric all-wheel drive experience.

The BMW i4, on the other hand, is the brand’s first fully electric vehicle focused directly on driving dynamics. A striking feature is its wheel rims – its appearance has been radically changed with futuristic aluminium parts. These rims are designed to carry large, robust tyres that suit the dynamic of the BMW i4 and handles sharp bends well.

The BMW i4 eDrive40 takes you from rest to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, with 340 hp and a maximum torque of 430Nm. But if you are looking to shave even more seconds off, then the powerful BMW i4 M50 (pictured below), with two electric motors, delivers 544 hp and 795Nm of torque, and it accelerates from 0-100km/h in as little as 3.9 seconds.

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BMW iX vs BMW i4: Interior Design

These BMW BEVs have deleted physical door handles in favour of flush handles that recess into the door panel. But this is where the similarities end between the two models. The interior of the EVs is where you’d see a marked difference – and why the BMW iX warrants a higher price tag.

Purpose-built for fully-electric driving pleasure from the start, the BMW iX offers a completely new architecture in its elevated interior. It boasts a luxurious mix of soft-touch yet solid materials, with newly-developed seats in beautiful leather, a full-length “Sky Lounge” panoramic glass roof*, and a Harmon Kardon surround sound system. Together, it all creates a relaxing and lounge-like ambience. (* Standard for the launch editions of BMW iX xDrive40)

The BMW iX further stands out with its new fully-digital displays and smart controls. It has many features that are seen for the first time in a BMW, such as a hexagonal steering wheel and similar diamond-shaped knobs everywhere. The BMW Curved display is mounted on an invisible support, making it look like it is floating.

On the inside of the BMW i4, the switch from combustion to electric has been made seamless. With a familiar shift lever, sedan drivers will be instantly accustomed to the i4. Like the BMW iX, the cockpit of the BMW i4 also comes with the Curved Display that seamlessly incorporates a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen.

BMW iX vs BMW i4: Technology

Both the BMW iX and BMW i4 run the intelligent BMW Operating System 8, with remote software upgrade so it is always up to date. Head-Up-Display in both also projects important driving information in the direct field of vision of the driver, so that you can continue keeping your eyes on the road.

But there is another reason for the higher starting price of the BMW iX; it is equipped with the most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems seen in a BMW.

The Driving Assistant Professional in the BMW iX offers features such as steering and lane control assistant, lane keeping assistant with side collision warning, and Active cruise control with Stop&Go Function. The front collision warning system now detects oncoming traffic when turning left (in countries like Singapore where we drive on the right).

The Parking Assistant Plus also comes as standard for the BMW iX. It helps in parking and manoeuvring and uses surround view cameras to give you a full display of objects around your vehicle – in 3D as well.

The BMW i4 comes with the basic Driving Assistant package. This includes Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Collision & Pedestrian Warning with city braking function. There is also Rear Collision Prevention, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, as well as Speed Limit Information.

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Extensive set of driver assistance systems in the BMW iX

BMW iX vs BMW i4: Space

Overall, the BMW iX is the larger of the two vehicles. Sitting at 1695mm over the i4’s 1448mm height, the BMW iX is longer by almost 200mm and wider by over 100mm.

The cabin is very roomy, and with a flat floor, it seats three persons at the back very comfortably.

With its impressive 500l boot space, the BMW iX boasts 30 more litres than the BMW i4. Folding the seats down is where you get the real difference. The BMW iX has an outstanding 1750l of cargo space over the BMW i4’s 1290l.

Conclusion: Should you go for BMW iX or BMW i4?

Which of these EVs is better for you really comes down to your lifestyle needs.

Straight away, for those looking for a longer range (or are always in a hurry), the BMW i4 is the perfect solution to power you down the road. The BMW i4 would appeal to sporty car enthusiasts who are more environmentally conscious. This fully-electric gran coupe offers impressive speed and handling, and it is great for taking off on road trips.

If you are looking for more practicality or have a family who needs to transport more luggage or bulky essentials, then you would be better off choosing the BMW iX. Its high rising position also makes accessing and loading or unloading all that gear much easier. The BMW iX also comes with all that extra safety features, which is a priority for a family car.

Both full electric BMWs are impressive on paper. But what better way to help you really decide than to head on down to Performance Motors for that important test drive.

Update: BMW announced on 16 May 2023 that it has expanded its EV portfolio in Singapore with the new BMW i4 eDrive35.   The new BMW i4 eDrive35 comes with all the latest technology – from the efficient electric powertrain found in models such as the BMW iX and its BMW i4 sibling, to the BMW Curved Display with Operating System 8. The BMW i4 eDrive35 starts from $333,888 and can be viewed at the Performance Motors showroom.

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