Head-to-head
BMW i4 vs BMW i5
At $88,900 the BMW i4 undercuts the BMW i5 by $67,000 (43%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Sedan
BMW i4
BMW's electric Gran Coupe — a four-door fastback that effectively replaces the petrol 4 Series Gran Coupe for many buyers. The 4-star ANCAP rating is unusual at the price; everything else delivers the expected BMW driving experience.
- From
- $88,900
- Range
- 448 km
- Battery
- 66.4 kWh
Option B · Sedan
BMW i5
BMW's electric 5 Series sibling — sharing platform and body with the petrol 5er. The 581 km WLTP range puts it ahead of the Mercedes EQE; the AC charging at 22 kW is class-leading.
- From
- $155,900
- Range
- 581 km
- Battery
- 81.2 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the BMW i4 and BMW i5, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 goes 133 km further on a charge (581 vs 448 km WLTP).
- 2
Price · advantage BMW i4
The BMW i4 undercuts the BMW i5 by $67,000 (43%) on starting price.
- 3
Battery · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 carries a 14.8 kWh larger battery (81.2 vs 66.4 kWh).
- 4
Power · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 puts down 40 kW more (250 vs 210 kW).
- 5
DC charging · advantage BMW i5
The BMW i5 accepts 25 kW more DC peak charging (205 vs 180 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the BMW i4 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $67,000
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.8s vs 6s)
Where the BMW i5 wins
- ▸ 133 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (205 kW vs 180 kW)
BMW i4
What we like
- ✓ Sharp dynamics and steering feel
- ✓ 180 kW DC charging keeps it road-trip viable
- ✓ Strong residual values
What we don't
- ✕ 4-star ANCAP rating trails its segment
- ✕ Rear seat headroom limited by fastback roofline
- ✕ Pricing inflates quickly with options
BMW i5
What we like
- ✓ Strong 581 km WLTP range
- ✓ 22 kW three-phase AC charging is class-leading
- ✓ Cabin shares 5 Series quality and refinement
What we don't
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight hurts handling vs ICE 5er
- ✕ Premium pricing climbs fast with options
- ✕ Boot is sedan-shaped (no hatch opening)
Frequently asked: BMW i4 vs BMW i5
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the BMW i4 or the BMW i5?
- The BMW i4 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $88,900 versus $155,900 for the BMW i5, a $67,000 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BMW i5 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 581 km, 133 km further than the BMW i4's 448 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The BMW i5 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 205 kW versus 180 kW for the BMW i4. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Is the BMW i4 better value than the BMW i5?
- On paper the BMW i4 is $67,000 cheaper, but trails the BMW i5 on the core measurable specs. The saving might still be worth it if you don't need the extra range, power or charging speed — but the BMW i5 is the spec-sheet winner.
- How do they compare on safety?
- The BMW i5 has a 5-star ANCAP rating versus 4 stars for the BMW i4. ANCAP star ratings reflect testing under a specific protocol year — newer ratings are generally a higher bar than older ones, so always cross-check the test year.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
BMW i4
if…
- ✓ you want to save $67,000 on the sticker
- ✓ you match the profile: driving enthusiasts
Choose the
BMW i5
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (133 km further per charge)
- ✓ you match the profile: premium sedan buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.