BMW i4 (G26) review: an EV that drives like a 3 Series, if Bahrain's charging keeps up
4/5motorssouq Editorial Team
The eDrive40 is the grade to buy unless you specifically want the M50's extra pace; it has enough range for daily Bahrain driving with margin to spare, and it drives with the steering feel and body control the 3 Series is known for. The real decision is not about the car: it is whether you have reliable home or workplace charging, because Bahrain's public charging network is still thin enough that range anxiety is a genuine consideration rather than a theoretical one.
Pros
- Drives with the steering feel and body control the 3 Series is known for
- Real-world range of roughly 380-420 km is enough for most Bahraini commuting
- Lower servicing costs than a comparable petrol 3 Series
- Five-door liftback body is more practical for bulky cargo
Cons
- Bahrain's public charging network is thin for apartment dwellers without home charging
- Resale value for EVs in the GCC is still an unproven quantity
- 45 degree summers noticeably cut into the WLTP-rated range
- M50 dual-motor version costs meaningfully more for buyers who want the extra pace
The i4 answers a question few expected BMW to ask: what would a 3 Series feel like with an electric motor instead of an engine? The answer, at least in eDrive40 guise, is reassuringly familiar; the steering weights up the same way, the chassis balance is unmistakably BMW, and the extra weight of the battery pack sits low enough that it barely dulls the car's reflexes.
Range and charging in Bahrain
The 83.9 kWh usable battery is rated around 500 km on the WLTP cycle, and realistic Bahraini driving with air conditioning running hard against 45 degree summers brings that closer to 380 to 420 km, still comfortably enough for a week of typical commuting between single charges. The gap is public infrastructure: home charging is straightforward for villa owners, but apartment dwellers without dedicated parking face a thinner public network than an EV this capable deserves.
What it is like to own
Servicing costs are genuinely lower than a comparable petrol 3 Series; no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regenerative braking reduces brake wear noticeably. The five-door liftback body is more practical than a standard 3 Series sedan for bulky items, even if outright boot volume is similar. Resale values for EVs in the GCC are still an unknown quantity compared to the 3 Series' well-established curve, which is worth weighing for buyers planning to sell within three to four years.