Drive with us: BMW 4 Series Coupe Review

Join us as we take a closer look at the BMW 4 Series Coupé, the two-door that divided a nation with its grille

Few cars have caused a stir quite like the BMW 4 Series Coupé. And we're not talking about the way it drives.

Yes, it's the grille. It's been the headline since 2020, and it's a proper Marmite subject: Some love it, some hate it.

And some of us? Well, we've quietly come round to it.

Grille aside, the 4 Series is essentially what we used to call the 3 Series Coupé. Wider, sharper, sportier and more design-led.

Sadly, the coupé market is thinning out. Audi has dropped the A5 Coupé, and Mercedes-Benz has merged two coupés into one. BMW, meanwhile, has confirmed the 4 Series isn't going anywhere, with a third generation (and a new M4) already in the works.

In the meantime, a 2024 facelift has brought a new curved screen setup, refreshed styling and a slimmed-down engine range. The UK line-up is now the 420i and M440i xDrive, both with mild hybrid tech.

It's been five years since we first got behind the wheel. So, is it still the driver's pick in a shrinking class? Let's find out.

What we drove:

• Model: BMW 420i M Sport Coupé
• Body Style: Coupé
• Power: Petrol (184 PS)
• Transmission: Eight-speed Sport Automatic with gearshift paddles
• Drive: Rear-wheel drive
• Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds
• Fuel economy: Up to 44.8 mpg (WLTP Comb)
• Interior: Oyster with Grey Vernasca leather

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Love it or loathe it, you'll notice it

When the 4 Series Coupé arrived, its new look was a brave move. And it all comes down to one thing: That grille.

It's impossible not to notice, and opinions are still firmly split.

We found it grew on us, and fast. It gives the front end serious road presence, and years on, it's become a familiar sight on UK roads. Spot it in your rear-view mirror and there's no mistaking what's behind you.

Look beyond the grille and you'll find a muscular, angular body with a roofline that drops away sharply at the rear. It also sits on a wider track than the 3 Series, giving it a planted, purposeful stance.

Back when we first drove it, we felt it had more character than the Audi A5 Coupé it was up against. And tellingly, the 4 Series is still here while the A5 Coupé isn't.

The 2024 facelift has sharpened things up further, with a refreshed LED headlight signature, new alloy wheel designs and revised rear lights.

M Sport is the entry trim, so every car gets the sporty bodykit and 18-inch alloys as standard. Step up to M Sport Pro and you'll get darker trim that softens the grille's impact. Handy if you're still on the fence.

It's a proper two-door too.

Rather than a hatchback, where the rear window lifts with the tailgate, you get a saloon-style boot lid that opens beneath the rear glass. More on what that means for practicality shortly.

Plush up front, snug in the back

Step inside and the premium feel continues.

Our car came with Oyster and Grey Vernasca leather, which contrasted beautifully with the dashboard and made the cabin feel far pricier than it is. There's more than a hint of the flagship 8 Series in here.

The cabin is driver-focused, with everything within easy reach and a chunky, soft-touch leather steering wheel that's a pleasure to hold.

When we first drove it, we found a responsive touchscreen, one of the best navigation systems in its class and Gesture Control (via the optional Technology Pack), which let you adjust things like the volume with a wave of the hand.

Thanks to the facelift, it now gets all this and an upgraded curved 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch driver's display. It's crisp, modern and a big step up.

Better still, the rotary iDrive controller stays. It's far less distracting than jabbing at a screen on the move, and we're big fans.

The trade-off? The climate controls have moved into the touchscreen, which can be fiddly when you just want to warm up on a cold morning.

The traditional gear lever has also made way for a small toggle switch.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, and the optional Harman Kardon sound system is well worth it if you love your music.

Front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and LED headlights are all standard. Electric seats aren't included on M Sport, though, and adjustable lumbar support is optional, which feels a little mean at this price.

Getting into the back isn't the most graceful of acts, but the huge door openings help. At 5'8", we found rear headroom just about manageable, with generous legroom.

Anyone over six foot is best kept to shorter trips.

Storage is well thought out, with reasonable door bins, two cupholders up front, a felt-lined glovebox to stop things rattling, a handy cubby for your keys and a decent space under the armrest.

The boot offers 440 litres, which is 20 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE. That's enough for two sets of golf clubs or a small pushchair, and the rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split for longer loads.

But the narrow opening and fixed parcel shelf make bulky items trickier to load than they would be in a hatchback.

Ordinary journeys, extraordinary feel

The 420i may be the entry engine, but it never feels like the lesser relation.

It's quiet at low revs, punchy through the mid-range and happy to be revved, which suits the 4 Series' character perfectly.

You can choose from Eco, Comfort and Sport modes.

Whichever you pick, acceleration is strong and it doesn't take long to get up to speed. The 0-62mph sprint takes 7.5 seconds, which is quick enough to be fun without being frantic.

Rear-wheel drive gives it that pushed-from-the-back feel, leaving the nose light and eager to turn in.

The steering is agile and nimble, and the car grips the road brilliantly. Variable sport steering comes as standard too, sharpening responses the faster you go.

The suspension is on the firm side, but it rode the bumps well on our drive and comfort never felt compromised.

But the adaptive M suspension on M Sport Pro adds a softer Comfort setting.

The eight-speed automatic works through the gears almost imperceptibly, and you can take over with the paddles whenever the mood strikes.

The low, sporty driving position feels just right for a coupé, and forward visibility is good.

Thanks to the facelift, the 420i now gets 48V mild hybrid tech, which smooths out the stop/start system and makes pulling away even slicker.

Noise levels were pleasantly minimal on our drive, though you can expect some road noise at motorway speeds, especially on bigger wheels.

It's not a car that begs to be pushed to its limits. It's more about soaking up the luxury and enjoying every mile. If you want fireworks, the M440i xDrive (or the M4) is where you'll find them.

And against its closest rival? It's more fun to drive than the Mercedes-Benz CLE, though the Mercedes rides a touch softer.

Frugal for a fun one

Sporty coupés aren’t usually the most economic, but the 4 Series has a decent story to tell.

The 420i returns 40.6–44.8mpg under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP Comb), and its mild hybrid system helps keep things efficient in stop-start traffic.

Want more power? The M440i xDrive still manages 36.7–39.8mpg (WLTP Comb), which is reasonable for a six-cylinder car with that kind of pace.

CO2 emissions range from 140 to 186g/km across the line-up.

Safety and warranties

Euro NCAP awarded the 4 Series Coupé a full five-star rating in 2019, tested alongside the 3 Series, with which it shares its structure and safety kit.

• Adult Occupant: 97%
• Child Occupant: 83%
• Vulnerable Road Users: 93%
• Safety Assist: 72%

That rating officially expired on 1 January 2026. That's down to Euro NCAP's testing protocols becoming far stricter since 2019, rather than any downgrade of the car itself.

When it comes to warranty, BMW covers the 4 Series for three years with no mileage cap. That's handy peace of mind if you're a high-mileage driver.

Standard safety tech includes:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane departure warning
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear-view camera
• LED headlights
• Cruise control
• Driver's knee airbag

What's good, and what's not

The good bits:

• Near-seamless automatic gearbox
• Plush, high-quality cabin with an 8 Series feel
• Curved screen setup looks sharp and modern
• 440-litre boot, more than the Mercedes-Benz CLE
• Up to 44.8mpg (WLTP Comb) from the 420i

The not-so-good bits:

• Rear headroom is tight for anyone over six foot
• Narrow boot opening
• Firmer ride than the Mercedes-Benz CLE
• Climate controls buried in the touchscreen
• Tempting option packs can quickly push up the monthly cost

What's the verdict?

The BMW 4 Series Coupé is a car you won't tire of driving. Refined and luxurious, it makes even the most mundane journeys feel special.

The grille row has largely died down, and what's left is a very well-rounded coupé.

As rivals disappear or merge, the 4 Series is one of the last traditional sporty two-doors in its class. And it's arguably the best of the lot.

The facelift sharpens up the tech and styling without losing what made it great in the first place. To get the most out of it, some option packs are worth considering, particularly the adaptive suspension and lumbar support.

For anyone who wants a car they're proud to park on the drive, with the day-to-day comfort and practicality to match, it's a brilliant choice.

Five reasons to lease the BMW 4 Series Coupe

1. The best-driving coupé in its class, whichever engine you choose
2. A premium, driver-focused cabin that feels a class above
3. Leasing lets you add the option packs worth having without the upfront hit
4. A next-generation 4 Series is on the way, so leasing means you won't be left with an older model when it arrives
5. Three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for peace of mind

Should you lease the BMW 4 Series Coupe?

Yes, and if you want the ultimate version, the BMW M4 is the one to go for.

Everything we love about the 4 Series is still there: The muscular looks, the driver-focused cabin and that pushed-from-the-back handling. The M4 simply turns it all up to full volume.

Yes, the grille still divides opinion. And yes, the back seats still take some effort to reach.

But for a driver who values engagement, quality and a car that feels like an event every time you get behind the wheel, the M4 is the 4 Series at its very best. It's a proper performance coupé, and leasing makes it far more achievable than you might think.