The short answer: the 2026 Qi4D is the better driver, but it costs about $200 more than the Qi35 it replaced. Reviewers agree the gain is consistency: more of your drives come off the face at similar speed and spin. That’s not a bigger top-end number. If you already own a Qi35, keep it. If you’re buying new and the $200 matters, the Qi35 is the smarter buy. If you want TaylorMade’s newest and most consistent head, get the Qi4D.
Published September 2026 · Prices checked at current retail
| Qi4D (2026) | Qi35 (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price now | $649.99 | $449.98 (was $599.99) |
| Face | 60X Carbon, new roll radius | 4th-gen Carbon Twist Face |
| Sole weighting | Four weight ports | Movable front/back weights |
| Family | Qi4D, Max, LS, Lite | Qi35, Max, LS, Max Lite |
What Actually Changed
TaylorMade released the Qi4D on January 29, 2026. Three changes matter. First, a redesigned carbon face with a new roll radius (the vertical curvature), aimed at keeping spin steadier whether you hit it high or low on the face. Second, a reworked Speed Pocket that Golfmagic reports cuts spin by up to 50% on some low-face strikes. Third, four sole weight ports instead of the Qi35’s two-position setup, so you can tune for forgiveness or draw/fade bias. It also comes with Mitsubishi’s REAX shafts, which TaylorMade matches to how fast you rotate through the ball.
What Reviewers Found
Golfmagic called the Qi4D “more consistently fast than the Qi35” and said it “erases the known faults” of its predecessor. Today’s Golfer’s tester said he’d never hit a more consistent driver by the data, with spin staying within about 600 rpm across his shots. The one recurring complaint is feel: the same Today’s Golfer reviewer found it muted, “almost dead off the face.” Sound and feel are personal, so hit one before you buy if that matters to you.
TaylorMade Qi4D
$649.99TaylorMade’s current flagship. The most consistent TaylorMade driver yet, if you’re willing to pay full price.
Check price →Shop at Global GolfTaylorMade Qi35
$449.98Last year’s flagship at $150 off launch. Most of the performance for a lot less.
Check price →Shop at Global GolfThe Qi4D doesn’t hit your best drive farther. It makes your average drive look more like your best one.
Should You Upgrade?
Upgrade to the Qi4D if your driver is two or more generations old (a Stealth, SIM2, or older), your misses are scattered, and you’re willing to get fit for the REAX shaft. That fitting is where much of the gain comes from. Buy the Qi35 instead if you’re buying new on a budget: a $200 gap buys a lot of range balls and a fitting. Keep your Qi35 if you already own one. A one-generation jump is rarely worth full price, as our golf equipment pricing breakdown shows. Comparing across brands? See the Qi4D vs. Quantum vs. GTS2 head-to-head, or the Qi35 vs. G440 Max vs. Elyte matchup.
Is the Qi4D longer than the Qi35?
Not dramatically, and reviewers didn’t pitch it that way. The gain is consistency: ball speed and spin stay steadier across the face, so off-center hits lose less.
When did the Qi4D come out?
TaylorMade released it on January 29, 2026, replacing the Qi35 as its flagship.
Which Qi4D model should I get?
The core Qi4D suits most players. The Max is the forgiveness option, the LS is lower-spinning for fast swingers, and the Lite is built lighter for slower swing speeds.
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