BMW i4 or i5: which fits Arlington drivers?
Most Arlington buyers who weigh the BMW i4 against the i5 start with the price and the looks, then guess. The better test is who rides with you and how far you drive each week.
For most drivers in Arlington, the i4 is the sharper daily car, and the i5 is the one to live with when passengers, long highway miles and a quiet cabin come first. BMW of Arlington lets you drive both on East Lamar Boulevard before you decide.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Arlington. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
BMW i4 or i5: which one fits Arlington drivers?
Choose the i4 if you drive mostly alone and want the lower starting price, which is $57,900 for the eDrive40 trim. Choose the i5 if you carry adult passengers and want a sedan that seats five in every trim BMW lists, starting at $67,100 for the eDrive40.
Power does not split the two at the xDrive40 trim. The i4 xDrive40 makes 396 hp and the i5 xDrive40 makes 389 hp, so the choice comes down to seats, miles and price. BMW’s published figures settle most of that on paper. BMW of Arlington, rated 4.5 stars across 5,810 Google reviews, lets you drive both on East Lamar to settle the rest.
How do the i4 and i5 compare on range for DFW driving?
BMW publishes EPA figures for each trim, and the trim you choose sets the range you plan around. Match that trim’s figures to your longest regular trip, not to the model name.
| Model and trim (2026) | EPA combined MPGe | EPA electric range (miles) | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (19-inch wheels) | 108 | 307 | $700 |
| i4 xDrive40 Gran Coupe (19-inch wheels) | 94 | 268 | $800 |
| i5 eDrive40 Sedan (19-inch wheels) | 110 | 310 | $700 |
| i5 xDrive40 Sedan (19-inch wheels) | 98 | 278 | $750 |
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, tables B08013 and B08303, the average commute across the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area runs 27.9 minutes each way. A commute that short uses only part of either car’s range on most days, so the planning question is your longest trip. Summer heat and stop-and-go traffic on I-30, SH-360 and I-20 belong in that planning too.
Which has more room for passengers, the BMW i4 or the i5?
Every i5 trim BMW lists seats five: the M60, the eDrive40 and the xDrive40. That makes the i5 the model BMW’s figures confirm for a full car, and five seats is the first number to check when adults ride in back.
Think about a trip to AT&T Stadium or Globe Life Field with four adults and their gear. A five-seat count settles the seating question before cargo or comfort enter the picture. Sit in the back seat of either car on East Lamar before you decide how much room you need.
What does a BMW i4 cost compared with a BMW i5?
The i4 starts at $57,900 for the eDrive40 and rises to $70,700 for the M60, with the xDrive40 at $62,300. The i5 starts at $67,100 for the eDrive40 and rises to $84,100 for the M60, with the xDrive40 at $70,100. Each figure is the starting MSRP for that trim, so compare trim against trim.
Texas charges a motor vehicle sales tax of 6.25% of the sales price, minus any trade-in allowance (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026). A trade-in lowers the tax base on either car, which makes your trade part of the math from the first number. Our payment calculator turns either price into a monthly figure, and we carry both models new.
Is the i4 or i5 better for a long highway commute from Arlington?
For long highway miles, power and torque favor the car you drive at speed, and the two xDrive40 trims sit close together. The i4 xDrive40 makes 396 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and the i5 xDrive40 makes 389 hp and 435 lb-ft. Both are AWD trims, so the choice on the interstate turns on the body you want around you.
Commuting into the metro carries its own cost. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 2025 Urban Mobility Report complete data (2024), each auto commuter in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington urban area lost 69 hours to delay in 2024. The same report puts the cost of congestion to the average auto commuter at $1,618 in 2024, which is why the long-trip trim choice matters more than the badge.
How do you charge an i4 or i5 at home in Arlington?
Both the i4 and the i5 run on electricity alone, so home charging replaces the gas station in your weekly routine. The trim you pick sets the range that charging has to support, so match its EPA figure to your longest regular trip before you plan the outlet. Both models carry the same basic warranty, which belongs in that plan alongside the charging setup.
Why test drive the i4 and i5 at BMW of Arlington?
BMW of Arlington sits at 1105 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76011, and carries both the i4 and the i5 new, so you can drive them back to back in one visit. Appointments can be booked online, in person, or by phone.
Thirty of our 131 most recent four- and five-star Google reviews describe the sales process. That count is the proof that the test drive is part of a handled purchase, and one buyer put it plainly. In a September 2026 Google review, Ali S. wrote: “Richard helped me sign into a new lease without any hesitation and found me the best monthly price that was close to my budget! The entire process was seamless and very efficient. Highly recommend Richard and BMW of Arlington!”
How the BMW stores in the metro compare on Google reviews
BMW of Arlington’s 5,810 reviews stand on their own row, beside the other BMW stores in the metro.
| Dealer | Address | Google rating | Google reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW of Arlington | 1105 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76011 | 4.5 stars | 5,810 |
| Autobahn BMW Fort Worth | 2828 Westside Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107 | 4.6 stars | 1,551 |
| Sewell BMW of Grapevine | 1111 E State Hwy 114, Grapevine, TX 76051 | 4.4 stars | 1,560 |
| BMW of Dallas | 6200 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209 | 4.6 stars | 10,045 |
| Sewell BMW of Plano | 6800 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75024 | 4.5 stars | 4,930 |
| BMW of McKinney | 2601 N Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75071 | 4.9 stars | 3,461 |
Count your passengers and miles before you pick
Most buyers begin with the sticker and the styling, which is the wrong starting point for a car you will drive every week. Start with the people in your back seat and the miles on your odometer, and the choice narrows to one car. Then drive both on East Lamar Boulevard, where the answer you reached on paper gets tested on the road.
FAQ about buying an i4 or i5 from BMW of Arlington
Is there a warranty on the BMW i4 and i5?
Yes. Both models carry BMW’s basic 4 year/50,000-mile New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty.
Can I get a trade-in value online before visiting?
Yes. Our online trade-in tool takes a license plate, a VIN, or a make and model, and returns a price we call an instant offer. Trade-in customers can visit with or without an appointment.
Can I reserve an incoming i4 or i5, or order one to my spec?
Yes. You can reserve an incoming vehicle from our inventory listing, or place a custom factory order.
Is BMW of Arlington an authorized BMW M Certified Dealer?
Yes. We are an authorized BMW M Certified Dealer, and our staff take part in annual M training.
Can roadside assistance tow my BMW?
Roadside assistance can tow a car to our service or collision center.
How BMW of Arlington lets you test the i4 and i5 back to back
The deciding factors are who rides along and how far you drive, and you only trust those answers after you sit in both cars. BMW of Arlington carries both the i4 and the i5 new, so you can drive them one after the other on East Lamar Boulevard before you choose.
Our Google record is 4.5 stars across 5,810 reviews. A buyer comparing two electric BMWs needs one showroom where both cars sit side by side and the sales team can answer the question on the spot.
Visit us at 1105 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76011, bring the passengers who ride with you most, and drive both before you decide.
BMW of Arlington: who rides along and how far you drive decide between the i4 and i5, and we let you test both back to back before you choose. It fits Arlington and mid-cities buyers who want an electric BMW bought and serviced close to home, and you can start by booking an appointment online, in person, or by phone.
BMW of Arlington answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Arlington showroom, or call 817-968-1153.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact BMW of Arlington for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
