BMW iX vs BMW i4 Electric Sedan vs Electric SUV The Ultimate Bavarian Choice

BMW i4 Electric Sedan Launched In India, Priced At Rs. 69.90 Lakh

The BMW i4 electric sedan today officially went on sale in India at an introductory price of Rs. 69.90 lakh for its one fully loaded variant - i4 eDrive40. It is the third electric vehicle from BMW Group India, which launched the iX electric SUV in December 2021, and the MINI Electric in March 2022. With the launch of the BMW i4, the company now has one of the widest line-ups of electric cars in the luxury vehicle space. The BMW i4 will also be India's longest-range electric vehicle with a claimed driving range of up to 590 km on a single charge. Online bookings for the i4 begin from today, while deliveries will commence by early July 2022.

Talking about the launch, Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, "With the launch of the BMW i4, I am excited to introduce the first electric mid-size sedan in the country. BMW i4 effortlessly combines sheer driving pleasure with sustainability as never experienced before. Thanks to its unique combination of BMW eDrive technology, extremely slim and high-voltage lithium-ion battery, rear-wheel drive and advanced suspension kinematics, the BMW i4 gets an outstanding sporty feel. It is India's longest-range electric vehicle. Absolute luxury with class-leading ambience, generous space, and rear axle air suspension ensures maximum comfort even for longer trips."

The BMW i4 will also be India's longest-range electric vehicle with a claimed driving range of up to 590 km on a single charge

BMW i4: Electric Powertrain

The i4 comes with the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, featuring an integrated drive unit within a single housing that is powered by an electric motor, single-speed transmission and power electronics. The electric motor can produce 335 bhp and 430 Nm of peak torque and propel the car from 0 to 100 kmph in mere 5.7 seconds.

Also Read: BMW Teases All-Electric iX1 SUV Ahead Of Debut

BMW i4: Battery and Charge Time

The BMW i4 is equipped with a slim 110 mm high-voltage, floor-mounted Lithium-Ion battery pack that comes with a capacity of 80.7 kWh. The battery can offer a range of up to 590 km on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle, which means it has the longest range compared to any other EV in India.

India gets the BMW i4 in the eDrive40 variant with the 80.7 kWh battery pack offering a range of up to 590 km

As an introductory offer, BMW is offering the i4 with a complimentary 11 kW wallbox charger with installation. The AC charger can charge the battery from 0 to 100 per cent in 8.25 hours. The i4's battery also supports DC fast charging of both 50 kW and 205 kW. The former can charge the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 83 minutes, while a mere 18 minutes of charge time will offer a range of up to 100 km. As for the 205 kW DC charger, it can top up the battery from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 31 minutes, while charging for a mere 10 minutes can offer a range of 164 km.

BMW aims to build a strong charging network in the luxury segment and plans to fast chargers at its dealer network in 34 cities across India.

BMW also offers an optional M Aerodynamic Kit with embellishments like sportier bumpers, exclusive 18- or 19-inch M Light Aerodynamic alloy wheels

BMW i4: Design and Styling

The i4 is sharp, sporty and comes with all the signature visual traits seen on BMW's electric vehicles. The car is based on the new-generation 4 Series, but the styling has been tweaked with the EV-specific kidney grille, LED headlamps, and blue accents around the BMW badge. It retains the signature coupe roofline of the 4 Series that gives the model its sharp look. The car also comes with L shaped LED taillights. BMW also offers an optional M Aerodynamic Kit with embellishments like sportier bumpers, exclusive 18- or 19-inch M Light Aerodynamic alloy wheels, and other M elements in high gloss shade. The car is offered in three colour options - Mineral White, Black Sapphire, and Skyscraper Grey.

There will be a 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch control screen that share a frameless bezel and appear as a single unit.

BMW i4: Cabin, Features and Tech

Inside, the BMW i4 comes with Perforated Sensatec upholstery offered in Canberra Beige and Cognac colour schemes. While upfront you get sporty seats the rear bench seat with a 40/20/40 split. The highlight of course is the driver-focused cockpit with the BMW curved display, featuring two screens - a 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch control screen - which share a frameless bezel and appear as a single unit. The infotainment system runs the iDrive 8 software and supports over-the-air updates. Other features include - a wireless charger, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and BMW's virtual assistant that allows you to perform several in-car functions with voice commands. It also gets a 17-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system and a parking assistant with a reverse camera.

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2025 BMW iX

Overview

When the BMW iX EV SUV debuted for the 2022 model year it looked like the future, and going into 2025 this crossover still smacks of modernity and tech. Roughly the same size as the mid-size BMW X5 SUV, the iX features a spacious, chic cabin with seating for five. A dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain makes 516 horsepower in the xDrive50 model and up to 610 in the performance-oriented M60. Both lit up our test track with quick acceleration times and also managed a noteworthy 290-mile result in our real-world highway range testing. That number beats chief EV rivals such as the Audi Q8 e-tron and the Rivian R1S, making the BMW more road-trip friendly than those SUVs. The iX's cross-country capability is further enhanced with an optional hands-free driving feature intended to reduce driver fatigue on long journeys. While the iX's exterior styling is divisive, there's no arguing that its stylish cabin is comfortable and well-connected, its performance is strong, and its over-the-road behavior refined. That is as it should be for an EV in this upscale price class.

What's New for 2025?

BMW's electric crossover is largely unchanged for 2025. The iX's Highway Assist hands-free driving feature gains a new element this year in the form of an eye-tracking technology that allows the driver to command a lane change merely by glancing in the direction of one of the SUV's rear-view mirrors. Elsewhere, the My BMW smartphone app gains a digital key feature that can lock and unlock the iX without the need to open and interact with the app itself. The iX enters the new year without any other changes.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2025 BMW iX starts at $88,425 and goes up to $112,675 depending on the trim and options.

The powerful M60 model commands a significant premium over the xDrive50 trim. While the M60 offers a similar driving range with quicker performance, we'd still stick with the xDrive50 because it offers the same amount of range for far less money and is plenty quick itself.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

Two different variants of the iX are on offer, the first being the xDrive50, which is powered by a pair of electric motors that combine to make 516 hp; all-wheel drive is standard. The high-performance variant, called M60, offers a whopping 610 hp. An adjustable air suspension and a rear-wheel-steering system are both optional on the entry-level xDrive 50 and standard on the M60. During our initial test drive of an xDrive50 model, we noted plentiful power, surprising energy efficiency, agile handling, and a smooth ride. Very little road noise upsets the cabin's quietude, even in the M60 model. The performance model also comes with stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars which keep body roll in better check, but its ride isn't as creamy as the xDrive50's.

060-MPH Times

In our testing, the iX xDrive50 scooted to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. The more powerful M60 model rocketed to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, only 0.1 seconds behind the significantly more powerful, 835-hp Rivian R1S.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The iX sports a large 105.2-kWh battery pack that the EPA estimates will offer up to 324 miles of driving range per charge. When we tested the iX on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test we were surprised by its range. Normally, highway driving takes a big bite out of the EPA's overall driving range estimate, but the iX recorded an impressive 290 miles of range in our test. The 610-hp M60 we drove for the same test also achieved 290 miles of range. DC fast charging capability is standard and the iX can recharge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 35 minutes when hooked up to a 200-kW connection. BMW has partnered with EVgo to provide a network of public charging stations for iX drivers, but the SUV can charge on other popular networks, as well as through a Level 2 home charging station.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The EPA estimates that the most efficient iX model is the one equipped with the standard 20-inch wheels, which earned ratings of 86 MPGe city and 87 MPGe highway. Going with one of the iX's larger sets of wheels reduces those numbers, but only slightly. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route the iX managed only an 81 MPGe result but provided an excellent 290 miles of range. For more information about the iX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Bimmer SUV EV is about the same size as the company's mid-size X5 and X6 crossovers, and its passenger and cargo space is similar to those models as well. The iX's interior design is both simple and modern with a host of high-tech elements including a large, curved touchscreen instrument panel and a hexagonal-shaped steering wheel. BMW offers a large panoramic sunroof featuring electrochromic shading as an optiona trick feature found on only a few vehicles. Power front seats are also heated and feature integrated speakers for the iX's stereo system. Both faux-leather and genuine leather upholsteries are offered, but BMW also offers a textile seat fabric optiondubbed Loftwhich uses microfiber cloth.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The iX features BMW's latest iDrive 8.5 infotainment interface. The software allows for the customization of menus and graphics, as well as a voice-activated assistant. A large 14.9-inch infotainment display combines with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to create the iX's tech-forward dashboard design. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board, and BMW also offers a Wi-Fi hotspot with a 5G cellular connection. An 18-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo system is standard; a 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup is an option.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

BMW offers a comprehensive set of standard driver-assistance features in the iX, including parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlamps, and lane-keeping assist systems. For more information about the iX's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The iX comes standard with the same warranty coverage as BMW's other electrified models, the i4, i5, and i7 sedans, which means basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and more generous protection for the electric-vehicle components. All new BMWs also come with a three-year complimentary maintenance plan.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• EV components warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2022 BMW iX xDrive50 Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICEBase/As Tested: $84,195/$104,020

POWERTRAINFront Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 268 hp, 260 lb-ft Rear Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 335 hp, 295 lb-ft Combined Power: 516 hp Combined Torque: 564 lb-ft Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 105.2 kWhOnboard Charger: 11.0 kWTransmissions, F/R: direct-drives

CHASSISSuspension, F/R: multilink/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented discTires: Bridgestone Alenza 001 B-Silent 275/40R-22 107Y

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 118.1 inLength: 195.0 inWidth: 77.4 in Height: 66.8 inPassenger Volume: 112 ft³ Cargo Volume: 36 ft³Curb Weight: 5707 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS60 mph: 4.0 sec100 mph: 9.5 sec1/4-Mile: 12.4 sec @ 114 mphResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.Rolling Start, 560 mph: 4.3 secTop Gear, 3050 mph: 1.6 secTop Gear, 5070 mph: 2.3 secTop Speed (gov ltd): 124 mph Braking, 700 mph: 158 ftBraking, 1000 mph: 321 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMYObserved: 74 MPGe75-mph Highway Driving: 81 MPGe75-mph Highway Range: 290 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMYCombined/City/Highway: 86/86/85 MPGeRange: 315 mi

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C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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2023 BMX iX M60Vehicle Type: front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICEBase/As Tested: $109,895/$119,795

POWERTRAINFront Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 255 hpRear Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 483 hpCombined Power: 610 hpCombined Torque: 811 lb-ftBattery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 106.3 kWhOnboard Charger: 11.0 kWPeak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 195 kWTransmissions, F/R: direct-drive/direct drive

CHASSISSuspension, F/R: multilink/multilinkBrakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented discTires: Bridgestone Alenza 001 B-Silent 275/40R-22 107Y Extra Load

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 118.1 inLength: 195.0 inWidth: 77.4 in Height: 66.8 inPassenger Volume: 112 ft³ Cargo Volume, rear seat up/down: 36/78 ft³ Curb Weight: 5778 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS60 mph: 3.2 sec100 mph: 7.6 sec1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 120 mph130 mph: 15.3 sec150 mph: 26.4 secResults above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.Rolling Start, 560 mph: 3.7 secTop Gear, 3050 mph: 1.5 secTop Gear, 5070 mph: 2.2 secTop Speed (gov ltd): 154 mphBraking, 700 mph: 160 ftBraking, 1000 mph: 330 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGINGObserved: 81 MPGe75-mph Highway Range: 290 miAverage DC Fast-Charge Rate, 1090%: 112 kWDC Fast-Charge Time, 1090%: 50 min

EPA FUEL ECONOMYCombined/City/Highway: 78/77/80 MPGeRange: 274 mi

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