In-depth reviews

BMW i4 review: boot space, seating & practicality

Boot space is very close to that of the petrol 4 Series, but rear-seat passengers might feel the squeeze

Overall rating

4.5 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

4.0 out of 5

LengthWidthHeightBoot volume (seats up/down)
4,783mm2,073mm1,448mm470/1,290 litres

The i4 is neither frustratingly impractical nor vastly spacious. Its five-door coupe body makes it more versatile than a regular four-door saloon, but its rakish roofline means boot space isn’t comparable to what you get in one of BMW’s Touring estates.

BMW i4 interior space, storage & comfort

The i4 offers a low-slung driving position with the sports seats offering lots of adjustability to help you find the perfect driving position for you. The cabin doesn’t feel cramped though and there’s plenty of space upfront, not to mention storage space in the doors, under the armrest and in the centre console. 

Moving to the rear, there's a good amount of kneeroom even for taller passengers, but the large transmission tunnel carried over from the petrol and diesel 4 Series Gran Coupe means there’s not a lot of foot space in the rear. That, combined with a narrow middle seat, means the i4 isn’t great for carrying three passengers in the back – BMW’s iX1 or iX3 electric SUVs are much better suited for such tasks. Two adults will sit happily in the i4, though, and they get USB-C ports to charge their smartphones and a set of climate controls for the rear.

Boot space

The i4 boasts a healthy 470 litres of boot space – which is only 10 down on the petrol-engined 4 Series Gran Coupe’s figure and more space than key rivals the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. The i4 also benefits from the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s practical hatchback tailgate, so the boot is much more accessible than a Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 6’s saloon-style opening.

However, unlike the Polestar or Tesla, there's no frunk or under-bonnet storage in the i4: all you’ll find there is a large plastic panel covering a swathe of electrical components. The rear seats do fold down, though, creating a total capacity of 1,290 litres.

Hello there, I’m Tom Jervis and I have the pleasure of being the Content Editor here at DrivingElectric. Before joining the team in 2023, I spent my time reviewing cars and offering car buying tips and advice on DrivingElectric’s sister site, Carbuyer. I also continue to occasionally contribute to the AutoExpress magazine – another of DrivingElectric’s partner brands. In a past life, I worked for the BBC as a journalist and broadcast assistant for regional services in the east of England – constantly trying to find stories that related to cars!

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