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BMW i4 vs BMW i5
Selected trimeDrive40 M SportChange trim357 mi · 83.9 kWh · £67,795
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on city driving, while the BMW i5 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
i4
5.9
i5
5.6
Too close to call
Motorway Rangei5
i4
4.1
i5
5.4
Familyi5
i4
6.4
i5
7.6
Chargingi5
i4
3.7
i5
5.2
Cost Per Milei5
i4
4.1
i5
6.4
City Drivingi4
i4
3.2
i5
1.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW i4
BMW i5
Length
BMW i44,783mm-277mm
BMW i55,060mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-48mm
BMW i51,900mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm-67mm
BMW i51,515mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,900 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 12.3 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 500 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 5.06m+277mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.90m+48mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | Not available |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.51m+67mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 3.00m+139mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 490L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 12.3m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg (better) | 2,195kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 83.9kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi (better) | 357 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW | 205kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 (better) | £67,795 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2023+ |
* BMW i4: Launch figures. Cars built from July 2024 (facelift) have 81.3 kWh usable, 205 kW DC charging and up to 373 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles (better) | 357 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles | 297 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW | 205 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh | 81.2 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i4
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist64%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners praise the composed ride, quiet cabin and BMW build quality, and many compare it favourably with the Tesla Model 3 for comfort.
- The eDrive40 is widely seen as the sweet spot: rear-wheel drive, lighter than the M50 and with the most range.
- Many owners report around 280 to 300 miles in mild weather from an eDrive40, and efficiency of around 4 miles per kWh on gentle runs.
Watch out for
- Winter range falls a long way, with several owners reporting around 180 to 220 miles in cold, wet weather.
- The rear seats are tight for tall adults, the doors are small and the floor is raised by the battery.
- It is heavy for its size, at about 2.1 to 2.3 tonnes, which owners feel in hard cornering and in efficiency.
Owner tips
- Sit in the back on the test drive if tall adults will use the rear seats regularly.
- Check the tyres and their brand closely; budget for a set if they are low, and prefer smaller wheels for range.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners describe it as superbly refined and stable on the motorway, and more relaxing than a Tesla Model 3.
- It feels like a proper 5 Series to drive, with a composed ride and good balance for its size.
- Owners report better real-world range than they expected: about 220-280 miles in winter and over 300 in summer on the eDrive40.
Watch out for
- Many owners point to cost-cutting inside: unlined door pockets, no sill plates, one wireless charging pad and cheaper stalks than the previous 5 Series.
- It is very long and wide, which makes parking and narrow roads awkward.
- Useful equipment such as adaptive cruise control, the surround cameras and rear heated seats came in expensive option packs.
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch wheels rather than 20-inch for range and ride.
- Check which option packs a used car has: adaptive cruise and the surround cameras were not standard.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BMW i5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £28,9502023Car360View
- £25,6992024Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
BMW i5
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i5 worth the extra £14,390 over the BMW i4?
The BMW i5 costs £14,390 more than the BMW i4. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i4 or the BMW i5?
The BMW i4 is £14,390 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW i4 comes out roughly £14,310 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i4 and BMW i5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 297 miles for the BMW i5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i5 goes roughly 36 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the BMW i5?
The BMW i4 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 48 mm narrower than the BMW i5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 500 mm of total clearance for the BMW i5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the BMW i5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 84% for the BMW i5. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and BMW i5 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i4 (2021 on): eDrive35, eDrive40 or M50, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW i4 buyer’s guide: eDrive35, eDrive40, M50 and M60 compared, the battery recalls on early cars, warranty left, real-world and winter range, rear space, tyres, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i5 (2023 on): eDrive40 vs M60, Saloon vs Touring, Recalls & What to Pay
A used BMW i5 buyer’s guide: eDrive40 or M60, saloon or Touring, the option packs to check, the braking-system recall, battery warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .