BMW i4 Leasing
- Rated 4.9/5 on Feefo
- FCA authorised, FRN 315268
- BVRLA leasing broker member
- Part of Global Vehicle Group
Your BMW i4 leasing decision
Intelligent Vehicle Finance helps business and personal drivers assess the BMW i4 as an electric alternative to an executive saloon or SUV. Its Gran Coupe body combines a low seating position with hatch access. We help match the version, equipment and contract to your journeys, passengers and charging arrangements.
BMW i4 business and personal leasing: start with Gran Coupe fit
The i4 is worth considering when you want an electric car without moving to an SUV. Its lower body gives a different seating and access experience, while the rear hatch makes the load opening a practical part of the decision. Try the items you regularly carry rather than assuming a coupe-shaped roof means either insufficient or plentiful luggage room.
Rear-seat access is the important countercheck. If you regularly install child seats or carry taller adults, test the door opening, roof clearance and seating behind your normal driving position. The right answer depends on those passengers. A Tesla Model 3 is a useful saloon comparison; an SUV should stay on the shortlist if a higher seating position is essential.
BMW i4 leasing: key facts
- Body: battery-electric Gran Coupe with a rear hatch; reference measurements below are from BMW UK's i4 eDrive35/eDrive40 technical entries.
- Length: 4,783 mm for the cited i4 entries.
- Width: 2,073 mm including mirrors for the cited i4 entries.
- Height: 1,448 mm for the cited i4 entries.
- Wheelbase: 2,856 mm for the cited i4 entries.
- BMW lists 470 litres of luggage capacity, increasing to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded.
- GOV.UK: zero-emission company-car BiK is 4% in 2026/27, rising to 9% in 2029/30.
Compare the BMW i4 options
| Choice | Reason to shortlist it | Practical check |
|---|---|---|
| BMW i4 | Electric Gran Coupe with rear hatch access | Rear headroom, child-seat access and the exact production version |
| Tesla Model 3 | Electric saloon as another executive-car route | Cabin controls, driving position and the boot opening with your luggage |
| Tesla Model Y | SUV format if a higher body meets a regular need | Parking width, passenger access and seating configuration |
Confirm the production version before comparing specifications
An eDrive35 or eDrive40 badge is not a complete technical specification. BMW has changed the i4 during its production life, including power electronics and the performance derivative. Catalogue battery labels can also describe capacity on a different basis from a manufacturer's usable-capacity figure. A numerical mismatch does not, by itself, identify an error or prove a newer car.
Ask us to confirm the model year, battery specification, drivetrain, wheels and equipment on the proposed order. The dimensions above are a reference for the cited eDrive35/eDrive40 entries, not a blanket certification of every derivative. We will check any range or charging figure against the actual car rather than combining the latest brochure claim with an earlier catalogue version.
Understand the i4 versions IVF currently lists
The IVF page captured for this review lists eDrive35 and eDrive40 in Sport and M Sport forms, with separate Tech and Pro pack descriptions. It also lists M60 entries. Its battery labels include 70 kWh and 83.9 kWh. Those are catalogue labels, not a substitute for BMW’s usable battery specification or a confirmation of the production date.
The practical decision is whether the proposed version meets your repeated journeys before adding power or styling. Compare the exact eDrive35 and eDrive40 with the same essential equipment and contract basis. If you want the performance version, ask what changes in its drivetrain, wheels and insurance quotation. Do not treat the M60 entry as a renamed eDrive40 or assume a previous performance model’s figures apply.
BMW’s UK technical page still presents electric i4 specifications alongside combustion 4 Series Gran Coupe entries. Read the model heading above a data table carefully. A familiar body shape or shared dimension does not make a petrol consumption figure, fuel tank or engine specification relevant to the electric i4.
Separate journey requirements from optional equipment
Write down the longest journey you repeat regularly and where the car could charge at each end. An occasional holiday and a weekly cross-country meeting place different demands on the charging plan. Keep motorway and winter margins in your assessment, then compare the versions that meet it. The electric-car leasing hub covers the wider charging decision.
Choose equipment around use rather than pack names. If parking assistance, a particular seat adjustment or a driver-information feature matters to you, have it listed on the quotation. A Sport, M Sport or performance badge should not replace an exact equipment check, particularly when two cars come from different production periods.
Test the low body where you actually use it
During a viewing, set the driver’s seat for the person who will use it most, then sit behind that position. Check the reach to child-seat buckles, the angle needed to lift a child through the rear door and the clearance above an adult’s head. For frequent client travel, repeat the test with a colleague rather than assessing the rear bench from the front seat.
Open the hatch in a space similar to your garage or usual car park. Load the cases or equipment you carry while keeping the passenger seats you need upright. The folding-seat capacity describes a different task from carrying people and luggage together. This test helps decide whether the i4’s hatch solves your problem or whether the Model Y body in the comparison deserves a viewing.
Give us the decisions that matter for your i4
For a useful quotation, tell us who will take the agreement, annual mileage, preferred term, regular long-distance journeys and charging access. Add your must-have equipment and passenger requirements. We can then compare suitable specifications across our panel without making a performance model the default.
Review the initial rental, ongoing rental, mileage allowance, fees and maintenance on a consistent basis. For company use, compare the P11D value as well as the lease quotation. Browse the wider BMW range or request a callback to work through those choices.
BMW i4 company-car tax across the lease
An i4 used privately as an employer-provided company car follows the electric-car BiK path, but its P11D value and your income-tax rate still determine the personal bill. Compare the years within your proposed agreement using the company-car BiK guide.
For an employee or director with private use, the taxable benefit normally starts with the car’s P11D value multiplied by the applicable BiK percentage. Personal tax then depends on the individual’s income tax rate and any relevant adjustments. The percentage is not the tax rate applied to the lease rental. A sole trader’s own business car use follows different rules.
The agreement can cross several tax years. Compare the whole path, not just the percentage in the year the car arrives.
| Tax specification | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero-emission electric car | 4% | 5% | 7% | 9% |
Use our company-car BiK guide alongside HMRC’s 2026/27 and 2027/28 tables and the published 2028/29 and 2029/30 changes. Tax information checked 24 September 2026 against the C1 ledger and its primary sources. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change; consult your accountant.
Road tax and costs across the term
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). For 2026/27, the standard annual VED payment after the first year is £200 before any supplement. First-year VED depends on CO2 and registration rules; zero-emission cars currently have a £10 first-year rate. These cash rates apply to 2026/27 only; later annual VED rates are not confirmed here. Ask how the funder treats tax increases during your agreement.
Expensive Car Supplement. For 2026/27 the Expensive Car Supplement is £440 a year, payable for five years from the second licence. Later annual supplement cash amounts are not confirmed here. The list-price threshold is more than £40,000 for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, or more than £50,000 for qualifying zero-emission cars registered from 1 April 2025. Use the published list price before discounts, including relevant options, and check the registration date. Plug-in hybrids do not receive the electric-car threshold. GOV.UK explains VED and the supplement.
Planned eVED. The government plans Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, alongside VED: 3p per mile for electric cars and 1.5p per mile for plug-in hybrids. This is proposed for April 2028, subject to legislation and implementation; it is not a charge currently in force. The stated rates are planned starting rates, with CPI uprating proposed from 2029/30 and later cash rates not confirmed. An agreement spanning introduction needs the funder’s written treatment of the charge and later changes. Check the government’s consultation response and final implementation guidance before committing.
VAT and the business accounts
VAT-registered businesses can normally reclaim 50% of the VAT on qualifying car rentals where private use is available, depending on circumstances and the normal VAT rules. Full rental-VAT recovery requires exclusive business use with no private availability. Maintenance can fall outside the rental block when it is genuinely optional, separately described in the contract and separately quantified on the invoice; recovery remains subject to normal VAT rules. Read HMRC’s motoring VAT guidance.
Businesses using the VAT Flat Rate Scheme do not normally recover input VAT on recurring car hire. The separate capital-goods exception does not turn hire invoices into a vehicle purchase. Check HMRC’s Flat Rate Scheme guidance.
A zero-emission car is not subject to the CO2-based lease-rental restriction. Check HMRC’s car-hire deduction rules.
For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026, revised FRS 102 generally requires a right-of-use asset and lease liability for lessees, including small companies using Section 1A. FRS 105 lease accounting for eligible micro-entities was not changed in the same way. Contract hire therefore does not universally keep a car off the balance sheet. Ask your accountant to apply the right framework; HMRC summarises the accounting standards.
Build the quotation around the way you will use it
Tell IVF your annual mileage, regular passengers, essential equipment, charging access where relevant and preferred timing. Ask for the precise model year, derivative, options and registration status to be written into the quotation. The catalogue is a starting point; the offered vehicle and funder terms need confirmation.
Business Contract Hire is taken by the business; Personal Contract Hire is taken by the private individual. Both are subject to status and individual funder criteria. Compare the initial rental, term, mileage, maintenance and applicable fees on the same basis. An initial rental is part of the hire cost, not refundable security or ownership equity.
A manufacturer warranty starts under the supplied car’s warranty terms, normally from first registration. Its time and mileage limits may finish before your lease does. It is separate from optional servicing and tyre cover. Confirm maintenance inclusions, insurance responsibilities, tax provisions and early-termination terms before signing.
At the end of contract hire, return the vehicle; there is no contractual purchase option. Excess mileage, damage beyond the funder’s fair wear and tear standard, missing equipment or other contractual charges may still be payable. Check the return process before choosing your agreement.
Useful next steps
Use BMW range, Tesla Model 3, electric-car leasing hub, company-car BiK guide, request a callback to narrow your choice or discuss a quotation.
BMW i4 leasing questions
Is the BMW i4 a saloon or a hatchback?
BMW calls it a Gran Coupe. The rear opens as a hatch, which is useful when checking luggage access. Try your own bulky items because the opening, roofline and seat arrangement matter alongside the quoted capacity.
Is the i4 suitable for a family?
It may be, but test rear access and space with your own passengers and child seats. Check the seating behind the driver in their normal position, and compare an SUV if a higher roof or easier access is a priority.
What is the difference between eDrive35, eDrive40 and the performance i4?
They identify different powertrain choices, with specifications that also depend on production period. Start with journey needs and equipment, then confirm the exact battery, motor configuration, wheels and model year on the proposed vehicle.
Why can battery figures differ between i4 listings and brochures?
One source may quote total battery capacity and another usable capacity, and specifications can change by model year. Ask for the measurement basis and vehicle build details before comparing the numbers.
Which i4 has the right range for my journeys?
The answer depends on the actual derivative, wheels, conditions and charging opportunities. Give us your regular long-distance route and where you can charge. Official laboratory range is a comparison figure, not a promise of what you will achieve.
Can I lease an i4 for my company?
IVF arranges business contract hire subject to status and funder criteria. If private use is permitted, consider company-car tax as well as the agreement costs. Your accountant should confirm the treatment for your business and personal circumstances.
Does the electric BiK percentage mean every i4 costs the same in tax?
No. The applicable percentage is applied to the car's P11D value, with your income-tax rate determining the personal tax charge. Different specifications and options can therefore change the amount even within the same tax band.
Are i4 maintenance and tyres included?
Only if the written agreement or chosen maintenance package says so. Check servicing, tyre and wear-item coverage, exclusions and any mileage limits. Insurance also needs to be arranged unless expressly included.
Does BMW warranty cover the entire agreement?
Warranty has its own time, mileage and component limits. Compare them with the lease term and your mileage, and check battery protection separately. A longer agreement does not automatically extend manufacturer cover.
What must I return at the end of an i4 contract-hire agreement?
Return the car in accordance with the agreement, with keys, charging equipment and other supplied items. Excess mileage and damage outside the stated fair-wear standards may be charged. Obtain the return and early-termination terms before signing.
Talk through your BMW i4 shortlist
Bring your passenger, journey and equipment requirements. We can help turn them into a clear vehicle and contract brief.
Intelligent Vehicle Finance is a trading name of XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 315268. We are a credit broker, not a lender, and we may receive a commission from lenders for introducing you to them. All vehicle finance is subject to status and individual funder criteria.
Company No. 03923327. The Melville Building, 15 Royal William Yard, Plymouth, PL1 3RP.
Editorial responsibility: Stacey Smith, Brand Director, Intelligent Vehicle Finance.
Last updated: September 2026