BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite, Lifestyle News
When BMW started going all in with the development of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy at the start of this decade, there were concerns that its electric cars would lose the fun and engaging edge that made the brand such a driver's favourite.
After all, EVs are generally heavier than the equivalent internal combustion-powered car, and weight is the antithesis of what makes a car enjoyable to drive, according to enthusiasts at least.
The BMW i4 however dispelled that notion completely, and it proved that BMW could produce an electric car that's actually well-balanced, without losing the essence of what makes a BMW so appealing.
The i4 has now received a mild mid-life update, and while the updates aren't significant, it's really a case of refining a formula that already works well. What's new on the BMW i4?
The primary changes are cosmetic in nature. For Singapore, the entry-level BMW i4 eDrive35 version as tested here now gets an M Sport kit as standard.
This means it gets an M Aerodynamics package that consists of a sportier looking front bumper and a large rear diffuser. There are also M Sport brakes and new 19-inch wheels, which gives the car a slightly more aggressive look without coming across as too loud.
The other visible changes are to its lights, with the BMW i4 now getting new LED headlights with a distinctive claw-like signature, and a refreshed taillight design with a laser pattern that supposedly enhances visibility at night.
They're all very minor changes really, and the same goes for the interior. The main difference you'll spot are the M Sport steering wheel, as well as the air con vents that are now surrounded by cool ambient lighting.
The infotainment software has also now been upgraded to the latest BMW OS 8.5, which has a redesigned user interface that makes it slightly easier to navigate between pages and functions. Does the updated BMW i4 drive any differently then?
Not really, because fundamentally, the BMW i4 remains unchanged under the skin.
In eDrive35 form, the single electric motor produces 282hp and 400Nm of torque. It's quite a decent amount of power for an entry-level model, and it allows the car to go from 0 to 100km/h in six seconds flat.
Of course, if you want even more power, there's also the high performance i4 M50 available, with 536hp and 795Nm of torque on tap. But in Singapore's context, the regular BMW i4 eDrive35 should more than suffice.
More importantly though, the i4 retains the fantastic balance that makes it one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive, with its 50:50 weight distribution, rear wheel drive setup and well-sorted chassis that handles corners with brilliant poise and finesse.
The steering is quick and precise, although perhaps a bit overly light in feel. It doesn't offer the same kind of feedback as a traditional old school BMW, but it works well enough for the modern day driver.
But even if you're not the kind who indulges in enthusiastic driving, the BMW i4 impresses with its all-round refinement. The power delivery is smooth and effective, and the ride quality is comfortable and composed, with its well-controlled suspension absorbing bumps with hardly any fuss. Is the BMW i4 a good buy?
Certainly, if you're looking for an electric BMW that doesn't deviate too far from the classic BMW formula. Obviously, it's not going to feel quite the same without an engine, but in most other aspects the i4 lives up to the BMW reputation of offering an enthusiast-centric drive that's engaging and involving.
Of course, at $339,888 with COE (as of June 2025), it's not exactly what you would call affordable. But the i4 is probably the closest you can get to having the purest BMW driving experience in the electric age. For that alone, the i4 deserves its status as arguably the most enjoyable electric BMW you can buy right now.
[[nid:718808]]
ben.chia@asiaone.com
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
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BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite, Lifestyle News
When BMW started going all in with the development of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy at the start of this decade, there were concerns that its electric cars would lose the fun and engaging edge that made the brand such a driver's favourite. After all, EVs are generally heavier than the equivalent internal combustion-powered car, and weight is the antithesis of what makes a car enjoyable to drive, according to enthusiasts at least. The BMW i4 however dispelled that notion completely, and it proved that BMW could produce an electric car that's actually well-balanced, without losing the essence of what makes a BMW so appealing. The i4 has now received a mild mid-life update, and while the updates aren't significant, it's really a case of refining a formula that already works well. What's new on the BMW i4? The primary changes are cosmetic in nature. For Singapore, the entry-level BMW i4 eDrive35 version as tested here now gets an M Sport kit as standard. This means it gets an M Aerodynamics package that consists of a sportier looking front bumper and a large rear diffuser. There are also M Sport brakes and new 19-inch wheels, which gives the car a slightly more aggressive look without coming across as too loud. The other visible changes are to its lights, with the BMW i4 now getting new LED headlights with a distinctive claw-like signature, and a refreshed taillight design with a laser pattern that supposedly enhances visibility at night. They're all very minor changes really, and the same goes for the interior. The main difference you'll spot are the M Sport steering wheel, as well as the air con vents that are now surrounded by cool ambient lighting. The infotainment software has also now been upgraded to the latest BMW OS 8.5, which has a redesigned user interface that makes it slightly easier to navigate between pages and functions. Does the updated BMW i4 drive any differently then? Not really, because fundamentally, the BMW i4 remains unchanged under the skin. In eDrive35 form, the single electric motor produces 282hp and 400Nm of torque. It's quite a decent amount of power for an entry-level model, and it allows the car to go from 0 to 100km/h in six seconds flat. Of course, if you want even more power, there's also the high performance i4 M50 available, with 536hp and 795Nm of torque on tap. But in Singapore's context, the regular BMW i4 eDrive35 should more than suffice. More importantly though, the i4 retains the fantastic balance that makes it one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive, with its 50:50 weight distribution, rear wheel drive setup and well-sorted chassis that handles corners with brilliant poise and finesse. The steering is quick and precise, although perhaps a bit overly light in feel. It doesn't offer the same kind of feedback as a traditional old school BMW, but it works well enough for the modern day driver. But even if you're not the kind who indulges in enthusiastic driving, the BMW i4 impresses with its all-round refinement. The power delivery is smooth and effective, and the ride quality is comfortable and composed, with its well-controlled suspension absorbing bumps with hardly any fuss. Is the BMW i4 a good buy? Certainly, if you're looking for an electric BMW that doesn't deviate too far from the classic BMW formula. Obviously, it's not going to feel quite the same without an engine, but in most other aspects the i4 lives up to the BMW reputation of offering an enthusiast-centric drive that's engaging and involving. Of course, at $339,888 with COE (as of June 2025), it's not exactly what you would call affordable. But the i4 is probably the closest you can get to having the purest BMW driving experience in the electric age. For that alone, the i4 deserves its status as arguably the most enjoyable electric BMW you can buy right now. [[nid:718808]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
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The new hybrid drivetrain now produces 241hp, an increase of 43hp over the diesel's 198hp. However, torque has been reduced to 366Nm, down from 440Nm previously. The car's gearbox also now has six speeds instead of its previous eight, and Kia says that hybrid drivetrain's power delivery reduces the need for more gears, as compared to the diesel powerplant which required more shifts. So how does the updated Kia Carnival Hybrid drive? The primary reason for the switch to hybrid power from diesel is down to the fact that Singapore has banned the registration of new diesel passenger cars from January 2025. [[nid:694420]] But while diesel enthusiasts may lament the loss of the plentiful torque of the old powerplant, the new hybrid drivetrain does bring about its own characteristics and benefits. For starters, it's no less responsive than the diesel, with the electric motor of the hybrid delivering an instant boost on acceleration with no lag. The transition from electric motor to petrol engine feels seamless as well, and the switch is virtually imperceptible. Smoothness is a pervasive theme with this car, and the Carnival impresses with its well-damped ride quality and excellent refinement. On smooth highways, the Kia Carnival glides along in great comfort and silence, while on rougher roads the suspension works well to ease out the bumps without feeling too ruffled. Of course, given the Carnival's stature as a large family MPV, one should not expect much in terms of nimbleness or agility. The steering is appropriately heavy, and while it's not exactly cumbersome to steer around corners, its size and weight is clearly evident to the driver. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Kia Carnival Hybrid delivers a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100km, which is actually not that far off from the diesel's figure of 6.8 litres per 100km. 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