BMW i4 vs. BMW i5 – why bigger is not necessarily more attractive

The magical letter M remains with the electric models BMW enforced. 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 opt for the top version, the BMW i4 M50 xDrive4.

The biggest difference between the two cars is the difference in length. It makes a difference of no less than 27 centimeters. But surprisingly, you don’t notice it much inside. The BMW i4 offers hardly less freedom of movement than the BMW i5. Although the doors are larger and you do not have to bend as deeply to get in as in the i4, but you hardly have more legroom in the back. However, you sit more comfortably on the wider, deeper and higher rear seat.

BMW i5 is an ideal travel car

The BMW i5 is also the ideal travel vehicle in other respects, it offers clearly more comfort than the BMW i4. The tuning of the adaptive M suspension is well-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 experience body movements more than in the BMW i5. Moreover, the i4 is not a featherweight either, it is only 90 kilos lighter than the 2.3 tonne i5.

Consumption more or less the same

In the acceleration tests, both electric BMWs barely give each other anything. They need less than 4 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h and the top speed is well over 200 km/h. Consumption is also at the same level, as are the range and fast charging times. The battery of the i5 provides energy for 371 test kilometers, with the i4 you can go further 11 kilometers. Both the BMW i4 and the BMW i5 can be charged with a maximum of 205 kW, so that the battery is 80 percent full in half an hour.

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Nice infotainment

Finally, praise for the fairly simple operation (the menus in the i5 are slightly more logically laid out), the many connectivity options and the beautiful infotainment system. But not for the prices. Don’t be alarmed: the i5 costs almost 110,000 euros. The price difference with the i4, which costs 76,789 euros, is large. The monthly costs are also much higher, if you include depreciation.

BMW i5 vs. BMW i4 test conclusion

If money is no object, the comfortable and classy BMW i5 would be the winner. But the additional price compared to the BMW i4 is considerable: more than 30,000 euros. Furthermore, the consumption costs are a lot higher. The BMW i4 has another big advantage: it is not that big and therefore much easier to handle in the city.