BMW 4 Series review

Historically, BMW coupés have simply been swoopier, less practical versions of saloon car counterparts. Not any more – the BMW 4 Series is a rakish model in its own right.

Sure, the 4 Series is based on the same underpinnings as the more sensibly shaped BMW 3 Series but the differences go well beyond losing the back doors. BMW has widened the car's rear, lowered the centre of gravity, retuned the suspension and stiffened the chassis.

All that should help make the 4 Series even more agile and capable than its saloon equivalent through corners. In other words, BMW has worked hard to make sure this is a car with the performance to match its sleek looks.

Coupés cars like the 4 Series are quite niche these days, but has BMW done enough to keep you away from its main rival, the Mercedes CLE? Read on to find...

The entry-level engine for the BMW 4 Series is the 181bhp petrol in the 420i, which has rear-wheel-drive and is our pick of the range. With a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds, it's quick enough to be fun and loves to be revved – which is in keeping with the character of a sporty coupé car.

The other engine option (excluding the BMW M4) is the six-cylinder, 3.0-litre petrol in the M440i. With 369bhp, it has a lot more power than the 420i – so it's a good job it has four-wheel drive for better traction.

Indeed, the M440i gets going so well that it can hit 62mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds, which is only slightly behind the Mercedes CLE 450 (4.4 seconds) and not that far from the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 (4.3 seconds).

It feels pleasingly potent from low down in the rev range, and is more than happy to keep singing all the way to its red line.

For even more performance, you'll want the 523bhp M version – to read about that see our BMW M4 review.

Whichever engine you choose, the 4 Series comes with an automatic gearbox that makes slick changes, especially in Sport mode. You can also take control yourself using the shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

Every 4 Series gets variable steering as standard. It ramps up assistance to save you from excessive arm-twirling when parking, but offers less help on faster roads to prevent the car from feeling hyper-reactive to tiny steering adjustments.

It's not perfect, because the car can still feel a bit sensitive to quick inputs at higher speeds. Again, switching to Sport mode helps: it adds weight to the steering to give a greater sense of connection to the front wheels and make it easier to judge how much input is required.

The 4 Series' standard passive suspension is noticeably stiffer than the set-up in the BMW 3 Series and that in turn reduces body lean, allowing you to scythe through corners more enthusiastically than in a Mercedes CLE. However, because it's more focused on delivering poise and control than wafty comfort, you feel more of bumps as they pass beneath the car.

For that reason, we'd add the optional adaptive suspension. That lets you stiffen or soften the ride by changing mode. Comfort mode makes the 4 Series much calmer at low speeds and delivers a very smooth ride on A-roads and motorways.

In terms of refinement, the 420i is smooth and quiet enough when you’re pottering around, with a more rorty edge when pushed hard. The M440i is the best-sounding 4 Series – its six-cylinder engine noise is wonderfully soulful. 

Every 4 Series (excluding the BMW M4) has mild-hybrid technology, giving it the ability to run with the engine switched off in certain situations. It also helps to smooth out the start/stop system and helps to reduce any hesitation when pulling away from the line.

There's not much wind noise at motorway speeds, with only a bit of wind whistling from around the front windows. There is a fair amount of road noise filtering up through the floor, but the engines fade into the background at a cruise.

"With the adaptive suspension equipped, I find the BMW 4 Series a really comfortable car to cruise around in, while still being fantastic to drive." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

If there’s one area where the BMW 4 Series feels just like a BMW 3 Series, it’s the interior. The driving position, for example, is almost identical, as is the dashboard and the infotainment system.

In many ways, that's great news. It means the 4 Series has a comfortable and supportive driver’s seat (as long as you add optional adjustable lumbar support) and lots of adjustment. You sit lower down than in a Mercedes CLE but forward visibility is still good, aided by windscreen pillars that are slim enough not to get in the way at junctions.

As is often the case with coupé cars, rear visibility isn’t so great, because the headrests on the back seats block much of the small rear screen and the chunky rear pillars obstruct your rear three-quarter view. Helpfully, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera are standard on every 4 Series.

You’ll be able to see well at night too: the 4 Series has LED headlights as standard. You’ll have to pay extra for high-beam assist, a standard feature on the Mercedes CLE. For even better night-time visibility, you can add adaptive matrix LED headlights, which keep high beam on without dazzling other road users.

The 4 Series’ interior quality is first rate, with only a few bits of hard plastic letting the side down a little. Regardless, it's slightly better than in the CLE.

The infotainment system in brilliant too. All versions get a 14.9in display that you can either use as a touchscreen or operate by twisting and pressing a rotary controller between the front seats.

The controller is much less distracting when you’re driving and, combined with a super-intuitive operating system, is one of the main reasons we prefer the 4 Series’ infotainment to the CLE’s.

Next to the touchscreen is a crisp-looking 12.3in digital driver's display. It shows lots of information, although it doesn’t offer as many lay-outs as the CLE's display.

All 4 Series trims come with DAB radio, sat-nav, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (so you can run your smartphone apps through the touchscreen).

"The optional 464W, 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system sounds epic, and I’d definitely recommend it if you're a music fan." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

No one buys a two-door coupé like the BMW 4 Series for practicality, but the chances are you occasionally need four seats and a usable boot (otherwise, you'd be checking out our favourite sports cars).

The 4 Series is as spacious as a BMW 3 Series in the front so you’re unlikely to have any problems with head or leg room. Storage space is impressive, too, with a big glovebox and a decent cubby under the centre armrest.

Getting into the back seats involves squeezing through a relatively narrow gap, but that’s true of any car lacking rear doors. (If you want four doors and coupé styling, take a look at the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé).

Once you’re in the back of the 4 Series, you’ll find plenty of leg room, and although taller adults will need to cower slightly or put up with their head resting on the ceiling, two six-footers will be comfortable enough in the back as long as the journey isn’t too long.

The 4 Series has 440 litres of boot space, which is 20 litres more than the Mercedes CLE. In more relatable terms, there’s enough space for a set of golf clubs or a small pushchair, and the rear seat backs fold down in a 40/20/40 split so you can carry longer loads.

"As large as the BMW 4 Series’ boot is, I think it would be more useful if the opening was a little bit bigger. That would make loading bulky items easier." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

The entry-level BMW 4 Series will cost you slightly less than a Mercedes CLE as a cash purchase. However, you'll need to add optional extras to the 4 Series to match the CLE’s standard equipment, so the price ends up being similar. 

Efficiency is similar between the rivals coupés, with the 4 Series delivering a slightly better fuel consumption figure of 44.8mpg and slightly lower CO2 emissions, potentially making it cheaper to run as a company car. 

Despite requiring some options to match the CLE, every 4 Series is still well equipped and comes with standard goodies including 18in alloys, leather seats (heated in the front), cruise control and three-zone climate control.

The range-topping M440i gives you that mighty six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, along with extra kit including electrically adjustable front seats with a memory function and most of the M Sport Pro pack’s equipment.

The latest 4 Series placed well in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing within the top 10 in the most reliable petrol cars and sports cars categories. BMW did well too, claiming eighth place out of the 31 manufacturers (Mercedes came 22nd). The 4 Series comes with a three-year warranty with no mileage cap – the same as the CLE.

Safety experts Euro NCAP tested the 4 Series (in conjunction with the BMW 3 Series) in 2019 and awarded it the full five-star rating. It achieved highly impressive scores for front occupants in each specific area that was tested.

It has plenty of safety kit as standard, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-departure warning. You can add additional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, as optional extras.

"It’s very easy to get carried away with the BMW 4 Series options list, but I’d definitely recommend adjustable lumbar support and adaptive suspension." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

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