4 BMW 2021 Series Review: Coupe

When the first generation of BMW's 4 Series arrived in 2013, it looked and handled like a 3 Series sedan except for the two rear doors, and that's because it was.

However, for the second generation version, BMW decided to go the extra mile to differentiate the 4 Series from the 3 Series by adding a unique front end and slight mechanical changes.

Sure, the looks may not be to everyone's taste, but surely BMW's renowned driver-focused dynamics will be enough to make the 4 Series carve out its niche in the premium sports coupe segment... right?

BMW M 2021 models: M440i Xdrive
Safety Rating
engine's type	3.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	7.8l / 100km
Landing	4 Places
Price from	$90,900

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10

BMW's new 4 Series lineup is available in three variants, starting with the $420 pre-travel 70,900i, which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (more on that below).

Standard equipment includes sport seats, LED headlights, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, push-button start, automatic wipers, Alcantara/Sensetec (vinyl-look) interior trim, three-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker audio system. the inclusion of an M Sport package and 19-inch wheels that really turn the look of the new 4 Series into a true sports model.

The M Sport package adds 19-inch wheels that really turn the look of the new 4 Series into a true sports model (pictured: 2021 Series 4 M440i).

The latter two were options on the previous generation, but so many customers (about 90% we were told) opted for a sportier look that BMW simply decided to include them in the asking price.

The 420i also features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes digital radio, sat-nav, wireless smartphone charger, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (finally love for Samsung owners!).

Notably, the new 420i is actually almost $4100 cheaper than the model it replaces, and it also has more hardware, safety, and torque.

Upgrading to the 430i raises the price to $88,900 ($6400 more than before) and also adds extra equipment such as adaptive dampers, keyless entry, surround view camera, M Sport brakes, leather interior and active cruise control.

The power of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is also increased in the 430i (again, more below).

The current king of the 4 Series line until the arrival of the M4 early next year is the M440i, priced at $116,900 but with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine and all-wheel drive.

From the outside, the M440i can be identified by the standard inclusion of BMW Laserlight technology, a sunroof and heated front seats, and "Cerium Gray" paintwork for the grille, exhaust shrouds and side mirrors.

Being a German model, there are (of course) a small number of options available, including remote engine start and a heated steering wheel, but none of them are as important or "must have".

We appreciate that the base 4 Series looks basically the same as its pricier cousins, while also offering all the key equipment you'd want from a premium sports coupe in 2020.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10

Let's get this out of the way. The 2021 BMW 4 Series is not an ugly machine, despite what you might think from press photos found online.

Is it to everyone's taste? Of course not, but I find the gaudy gold on black that catches the eye, which is Versace signature style, a bit rough… so your attitude towards the 4 Series will definitely be different than mine towards high-end fashion.

A high shoulder line and slim glass construction add to the sportiness (pictured: M2021i 4 Series 440).

In fact, this grille is nowhere near as impressive as the photos might make it look, and it pairs very well with the 4 Series' aggressive and beefy front end.

In profile, the high shoulder line and thin glass roof add to the sportiness, as do the sloping roofline and protruding rear end.

However, the rear end is arguably the best outside angle for the 4 Series, as the shortened bumper, rounded taillights, large exhaust ports, and slim rear diffuser work well together for a sporty and premium look.

The rear is arguably the best outside angle for a 4 Series (pictured: M2021i 4 Series 440).

All Australian-spec cars come with the M Sport package, which is a full body kit, and 19-inch wheels that make even the boggo 420i look aggressive on the road.

It works? Well, if it wasn't for the BMW badge then it might not get away with this ostentatious styling, but as a major premium player, we think the 4 Series manages to be just as brash and eye-catching. .

We really like that BMW took a chance with the 4 Series aesthetic and is willing to push the boundaries because after all, it could look like a 3 Series without the two doors and that's too safe, right? is not it?

Inside, the 4 Series is familiar BMW territory, which means a thick-rimmed steering wheel, glossy shifter and brushed metal accents, as well as high-quality materials throughout.

The in-dash infotainment system is particularly pleasing, as are the metallic accents separating the lower and upper halves of the cabin.

So, is there anything interesting in the design? Absolutely. There is more talk on the internet than usual and no doubt it will grab the attention of those who want to stand out from the often identical crowd of German sports cars.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

With a length of 4768mm, a width of 1842mm, a height of 1383mm and a wheelbase of 2851mm, the 2021 BMW 4 Series certainly looks impressive on the road, and the generous proportions also lend themselves well to interior space.

The BMW 4 Series is 4768mm long, 1842mm wide and 1383mm high (pictured: M2021i 4 Series 440).

It should be noted that the M440i is slightly longer (4770mm), wider (1852mm) and taller (1393mm) than the 420i and 430i, but the slight difference does not result in any noticeable difference in practicality.

There's plenty of room for driver and passenger up front, and a wide range of seat adjustments ensures a near-perfect position for just about everyone, regardless of build or size.

Storage options include a spacious door pocket with a separate bottle holder, a large central storage compartment, a roomy glove box and two cup holders located between the shifter and climate control.

We love that the wireless smartphone charger is tucked away right in front of the cup holders, meaning you don't have to worry about keys or loose change scratching the screen, and it doesn't eat into any of the other storage options around the cabin.

As a coupe, you don't expect a lot of space in the second row, and the BMW 4 Series certainly doesn't defy expectations in that regard.

There isn't a lot of room in the second row (pictured: M2021i 4-series 440).

Adult passengers can get into the rear easily enough thanks to the auto-folding front seats, but once there, headroom and shoulder space can be a little cramped, and legroom depends on the height of the front passengers.

We've certainly been worse in the back seats, and the deeply recessed seats help solve some headroom issues, but it's no place for claustrophobia.

Open the trunk and the 4 Series will guzzle up to 440 liters of volume and, thanks to the large space, will easily fit a set of golf clubs or weekend luggage for two.

The 4 Series trunk holds up to 440 liters (pictured: M2021i 4 Series 440).

The second row is split 40:20:40 so you can fold down the middle to carry skis (or logs from Bunnings) while carrying four.

If you fold down the rear seats, the luggage space will increase, but the distance between the trunk and the cabin is quite small, so keep this in mind before heading to Ikea.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10

The entry and mid-level 4 Series variants (420i and 430i respectively) are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Under the hood of the 420i, the engine delivers 135 kW/300 Nm, while the 430i increases the rate to 190 kW/400 Nm.

Meanwhile, the flagship (at launch) M440i is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 285kW/500Nm.

All three engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a manual transmission not available on either brand.

The 420i and 430i send drive to the rear wheels, resulting in 100-7.5 km/h times of 5.8 and 440 seconds, respectively, while the all-wheel-drive M4.5i takes just XNUMX seconds.

Compared to its German rivals, the 4 Series offers a decent range of engines, but doesn't outperform the Audi A5 coupe and Mercedes-Benz C-Class at any level.

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

Officially, the 420i consumes 6.4 liters per 100 km, while the 430i consumes 6.6 l/100 km.

Both of the aforementioned 4 Series options will require 95 RON at a gas station.

The heavier and more powerful M440i consumes 7.8 l/100 km and also uses more expensive 98 octane fuel.

In a short amount of time, we've only driven Melbourne's back roads with all three 4 Series classes and have been unable to establish a reliable fuel economy figure.

Our driving didn't include long freeway travel or city driving, so check if the numbers given stand up to scrutiny as we spend more time with the car.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

The 2021 BMW 4 Series has not been crash tested by either Euro NCAP or ANCAP and does not have an official safety rating.

However, the mechanically linked 3 Series sedan received the maximum five-star rating in an October 2019 inspection, but be aware that child protection ratings can vary greatly due to the shape of the 4 Series coupe.

The 3 Series scored 97% in the adult occupant protection test and 87% in the child safety test. Meanwhile, the Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assistance tests scored 87 percent and 77 percent, respectively.

The 4 Series comes standard with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear View Camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Like all new BMW models, the 4 Series comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.

However, the benchmark for premium brands is held by Mercedes-Benz, which offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, while Genesis matches that but limits mileage to 100,000 km.

Scheduled maintenance for the 4 Series is every 12 months or 16,000 km.

At the time of purchase, BMW offers a five-year/80,000 "basic" service package that includes scheduled engine oil changes, filters, spark plugs and brake fluids.

The 4 Series is covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty (pictured: 2021 Series 4 M440i).

This package costs $1650 which is a very reasonable $330 for the service.

A more thorough $4500 plus plan is also available, which also includes brake pad/disc, clutch, and wiper replacements over the same period of five years or 80,000 km.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

Anything that wears the BMW badge promises fun and engaging driving, after all, the brand's slogan used to be "the ultimate driving car", which is exacerbated by the sporty two-door car.

Luckily, the 4 Series is fun and a pleasure to drive in all three classes.

Building on the already brilliant next-generation 3 Series, BMW lowered the 4 Series and added additional stiffeners front and rear to make the car agile and responsive.

The rear track is also larger, while the front wheels are more negatively cambered for better mid-corner traction.

Anything that wears the BMW badge promises a fun and engaging ride (pictured: M2021i 4 Series 440).

While the 420i and 430i may not draw attention, their turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol pair is a pleasure to drive and precise to handle.

The 420i doesn't particularly have the power to match its aggressive looks, but it's perfectly capable at slower speeds and is still nice to roll over into a corner.

At the same time, the 430i delivers more thrills thanks to a more powerful engine, but it can get a little cheesy in the higher rev range.

However, our choice of the M440i is not only for its more powerful engine, but also for its all-wheel drive.

Now, BMW's lack of rear-wheel drive may seem sacrilegious to some, but the M440i's rear-shift xDrive system is wonderfully tuned to deliver the same natural driving performance as an all-wheel drive model.

The near-perfect weight distribution no doubt helps, and the driver's surprisingly low seating position means the entire car seems to revolve around the driver when the steering wheel is turned.

The M Sport differential in the rear also handles cornering well, and the adaptive suspension also has a lot of variability between comfort and sport settings.

Did we have any gripes with the driving experience? We would have liked a bit more sonic theater, but BMW had to save the louder pops and crackles for the full M4, right?

The big caveat, though, is that we're yet to test the new 4 Series in suburban conditions, as our launch route takes us straight to winding back roads.

We also never had to drive the 4 Series on the freeway, which means all driving was on winding back roads where you would expect a BMW to do well.

Verdict

BMW has once again delivered a supremely enjoyable sports car with its new 2021 4 Series.

Sure, it can have styling that you love or hate, but those who dismiss the 4 Series purely for looks are missing out on a great driving experience.

With the base 420i offering all the style at a relatively affordable price, while the M440i all-wheel drive adds extra confidence at a higher price point, BMW's new 4 Series should satisfy anyone looking for a premium sports coupe.