As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, BMW has once again proven its commitment to innovation with the 2025 i4. This electric sedan has made significant waves in the Australian market, offering a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and sustainability. Let’s delve into what makes the 2025 BMW i4 a game-changer for electric vehicles in the land down under.
Design Evolution: A Familiar Face with Electric Flair
The 2025 BMW i4 retains the brand’s iconic design language while embracing its electric future. The signature kidney grille, now half-enclosed, serves as a distinctive feature that sets it apart from its combustion-engine counterparts. This design choice not only pays homage to BMW’s heritage but also optimizes aerodynamics for improved efficiency.
New for 2025, the i4 sports redesigned LED headlights with adaptive functionality, matrix high beam, and ‘urban lights’ that provide wider light distribution at speeds below 50 km/h. The optional ‘Laserlight’ tail-lights add a futuristic touch to the rear, making the i4 unmistakable on Australian roads.
The sleek silhouette of the i4 remains true to the Gran Coupe styling, offering a perfect balance between sportiness and practicality. Two new metallic colors, ‘Cape York’ green and ‘Fire Red’, have been added to the palette, allowing Australian buyers more options to express their personal style.
Powertrain Options: Something for Every Driver
The 2025 i4 lineup in Australia has expanded to cater to a wider range of preferences and budgets. The range now consists of four distinct models:
eDrive35: The entry-level variant, perfect for urban dwellers and those new to electric vehicles.
eDrive40: Offering increased range and performance for the discerning electric vehicle enthusiast.
xDrive40: The new all-wheel-drive option, providing enhanced traction and performance.
M50 xDrive: The range-topping performance variant for those who demand the ultimate in electric driving dynamics.
The headline addition for 2025 is the new xDrive40 model, which produces an impressive 295kW of power and 600Nm of torque. This all-wheel-drive variant boasts a WLTP range of up to 548 km, making it a viable option for long-distance travel in Australia’s vast landscape.
Interior: A Blend of Luxury and Technology
Step inside the 2025 i4, and you’re greeted by an interior that seamlessly blends luxury with cutting-edge technology.
The centerpiece is a new flat-bottom steering wheel with illuminated multifunction buttons, adding a sporty touch to the cabin. The dashboard features a clean, modern design dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system.
Synthetic leather sports seats come as standard, with the option to upgrade to ‘Vernasca’ leather trim for those seeking a more premium feel. New ‘Dark Graphite’ interior trim elements have been introduced, adding a sophisticated touch to the cabin ambiance.
Climate control functions have been moved to touch-sensitive controls on the central screen, streamlining the interior design. These functions can also be accessed via voice commands, enhancing user convenience.
Ambient lighting, including additional contour lighting around the central vents, is now standard across all i4 models, creating a more immersive interior atmosphere.
Technology and Connectivity: Staying Ahead of the Curve
The 2025 i4 comes equipped with BMW’s latest connected car technology. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless integration with your smartphone. The digital instrument cluster provides customizable displays, offering a wealth of information at the driver’s fingertips.
BMW’s intelligent personal assistant has been further refined, offering more natural voice interactions for controlling various vehicle functions. The i4 also features over-the-air update capability, ensuring that the vehicle’s software remains current throughout its lifetime.
Safety Features: Prioritizing Protection
Safety remains a top priority for BMW, and the 2025 i4 comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. These include:
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Lane Departure Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control
360-degree camera system (on higher trims)
These features not only enhance safety but also bring the i4 in line with more premium offerings in the Australian market.
Performance and Handling
True to BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” ethos, the i4 delivers an engaging driving experience that belies its electric powertrain. The low center of gravity, thanks to the battery placement, contributes to excellent handling characteristics. The instant torque delivery provides exhilarating acceleration, particularly in the M50 xDrive variant.
The suspension has been finely tuned to offer a balance between comfort and sportiness, making the i4 equally at home on Australia’s diverse road conditions – from smooth highways to rougher outback tracks.
Charging and Range
One of the most crucial aspects of any electric vehicle is its charging capability and range. The 2025 i4 addresses these concerns head-on. With fast-charging capability, the i4 can add up to 164 km of range in just 10 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger.
The eDrive40 variant offers a WLTP range of up to 590 km, making it one of the longest-range electric vehicles in its class. This impressive range alleviates much of the range anxiety that has been a barrier to EV adoption in Australia, particularly for those living outside major urban centers.
Australian Market Positioning and Pricing
The 2025 BMW i4 range is strategically positioned to cater to various segments of the Australian luxury electric vehicle market. While official pricing for the 2025 model year hasn’t been announced at the time of writing, we can use the current pricing as a reference:
eDrive35: Starting from $85,900 (before on-road costs)
eDrive40: Mid-range option
xDrive40: New all-wheel drive variant
M50 xDrive: Top-of-the-range performance model, currently priced at $133,900 (before on-road costs)
It’s worth noting that the eDrive35 variant is positioned below the Luxury Car Tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles ($91,387), making it eligible for FBT (Fringe Benefit Tax) exemptions when purchased through a novated lease. This strategic pricing has contributed significantly to the i4’s success in the Australian market.
Impact on the Australian Market
The introduction of the i4, particularly the eDrive35 variant, has had a significant impact on BMW’s sales performance in Australia. In 2024, the i4 contributed 7.8% of BMW’s total sales volume, with electric and hybrid vehicles making up 31% of the brand’s sales. The i4 eDrive35’s competitive pricing and feature set have made it an attractive option for buyers looking to enter the luxury electric vehicle market.
Environmental Considerations
As Australia continues to focus on reducing carbon emissions, the i4 represents a significant step towards sustainable mobility in the luxury segment. BMW has made efforts to ensure that the production and lifecycle of the i4 are as environmentally friendly as possible, using renewable energy in manufacturing and incorporating recycled materials in the vehicle’s construction.
Competitor Landscape
In the Australian market, the BMW i4 faces competition from other luxury electric vehicles such as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and the upcoming Audi e-tron GT. However, the i4’s blend of traditional BMW driving dynamics, cutting-edge technology, and competitive pricing gives it a unique position in the market.
Future Outlook
As BMW continues to expand its electric vehicle lineup, the i4 serves as a crucial stepping stone towards the brand’s electrified future. With the Australian government pushing for increased electric vehicle adoption, models like the i4 are likely to play an increasingly important role in the luxury car market.
2025 BMW i4 : A Compelling Electric Proposition
The 2025 BMW i4 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of electric vehicles in Australia. It successfully combines the luxury and performance expected from a BMW with the efficiency and sustainability of an electric powertrain.
The expanded range of variants, from the accessible eDrive35 to the high-performance M50 xDrive, ensures that there’s an i4 for every type of luxury electric vehicle buyer.
As Australia’s charging infrastructure continues to improve and consumer attitudes towards electric vehicles evolve, the BMW i4 is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift.
It offers a compelling alternative to traditional luxury sedans, proving that the transition to electric mobility doesn’t have to come at the cost of driving pleasure or premium features.
The 2025 BMW i4 is more than just an electric car; it’s a statement of intent from one of the world’s most respected automotive brands. It shows that BMW is committed to leading the charge in the electric revolution, even in markets like Australia where EV adoption has been slower.
As we look to the future of mobility, the i4 stands as a shining example of what’s possible when traditional automotive excellence meets cutting-edge electric technology.