BMW i4 vs BMW i5

Side-by-Side Specs

Charging Speed

The BMW i5 has the higher published DC charging figure at 206 kW, which is comparable to the BMW i4 at 205 kW. In practice, that figure only tells part of the story. The charging curve, battery temperature, and state of charge all affect how quickly your car actually charges.

For the published fast-charge window, the BMW i4 is listed at about 28 minutes, which is 1 minutes quicker than the BMW i5 at 29 minutes. On a road trip, that difference adds up over multiple stops.

Range and Efficiency

The BMW i4 has a WLTP rated range of approximately 613 km, which is roughly 33 km more than the BMW i5 at approximately 580 km. WLTP is a standardized lab test. Expect your actual range to be lower, varying with speed, weather, terrain, and driving style.

Efficiency matters more than battery size for daily driving costs. The BMW i4 consumes 155 Wh/km, compared to 175 Wh/km for the BMW i5. That means the BMW i4 uses less energy per kilometer, which translates to lower charging costs and fewer charging stops on longer drives.

A more efficient car does not always mean more range. Battery size plays a role too. The BMW i4 has approximately 81.3 kWh of useable battery , while the BMW i5 has approximately 81.2 kWh.

Which One Should You Choose?

The BMW i5 has the higher published DC figure at up to 206 kW, but the BMW i4 has the shorter published charge time at approximately 28 minutes versus approximately 29 minutes. On road trips, published stop time matters more than the headline kW number alone.

For AC charging (home wallboxes, workplace chargers, and public street chargers), the BMW i5 supports up to 11 kW (22 kW optional), compared to up to 11 kW for the BMW i4. In Europe, many public chargers are 22 kW AC, so this difference can matter at those locations if the higher AC figure is fitted on the car you buy.

If you mostly charge at home or at work and care more about daily driving costs, the BMW i4 is the more efficient choice at 155 Wh/km. Lower consumption means lower electricity bills over time.

For maximum range between charges, the BMW i4 has a WLTP rated range of approximately 613 km, which is roughly 33 km more. Both are capable EVs. The best choice depends on how you charge and how far you drive.