BMW 4 Series review
The BMW 4 Series is a stylish and sporty coupe that offers a thrilling driving experience, a high-quality interior, and more practicality than you might expect.
Author: The Cazoo editorial team
6th Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
If you love the idea of a sleek, sporty coupe but worry it might not be practical enough for everyday life, the BMW 4 Series could be the perfect answer. Introduced in 2013 as a more stylish sibling to the ever-popular 3 Series, the 4 Series takes all the best bits of that brilliant saloon—the fun driving experience, the premium interior, the efficient engines—and wraps them in a much sharper, more head-turning package. With its lower, wider stance and sloping roofline, the 4 Series looks every bit the desirable sports car. Yet, it still manages to be a surprisingly usable daily driver. Available as a two-door Coupe, a four-door Gran Coupe, or a glamorous Convertible, there's a version for almost everyone. It’s a car that proves you don’t have to sacrifice fun for function, delivering a driving experience that will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.
Pros
- Stunning, athletic styling that really stands out
- Fantastic to drive, with an engaging and sporty feel
- High-quality interior packed with excellent technology
Cons
- The ride can be quite firm, especially on M Sport models
- Practicality is compromised compared to a 3 Series saloon
- Diesel engines can lack a little refinement compared to the petrols
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the 4 Series is classic modern BMW: high-quality, driver-focused, and incredibly user-friendly. The dashboard is logically laid out, with a premium feel to all the switches and materials. At the heart of it all is BMW’s brilliant iDrive infotainment system, controlled by a rotary dial between the front seats. It’s one of the most intuitive systems out there, allowing you to navigate menus without taking your eyes off the road.
All models are well-equipped, featuring things like Bluetooth, DAB radio, and satellite navigation through the BMW ConnectedDrive system. The overall atmosphere is one of sophisticated sportiness, making every journey feel a bit special.
Comfort
The 4 Series is designed to be a comfortable long-distance cruiser as well as a fun sports car. The standard front sports seats are excellent, offering plenty of support and holding you snugly in place during spirited driving. There's a wide range of adjustment, so finding your perfect driving position is easy.
The ride comfort can be on the firm side, especially on the popular M Sport models which come with stiffer suspension. It’s not harsh, but you will feel bumps more than you would in a 3 Series. If you can, look for a model with the optional adaptive suspension, as this allows you to soften the ride at the touch of a button.
Quality
Build quality is a huge BMW strength, and the 4 Series is no exception. The cabin feels incredibly solid and well-assembled, with premium materials used throughout. From the leather on the steering wheel to the soft-touch plastics on the dashboard, everything feels built to last. It’s this feeling of quality and attention to detail that helps justify its premium positioning against rivals like the Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class Coupe.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
As you’d expect from a sporty coupe, practicality isn’t the 4 Series’ number one priority. However, it’s more spacious than you might think. There’s plenty of room for two adults up front, and the rear seats are usable for adults on shorter journeys, though headroom is limited by that stylish sloping roofline.
The two-door Coupe and Convertible are strict four-seaters, with a storage area replacing the middle rear seat. If you need to carry five people, you’ll need to opt for the Gran Coupe model, which has four doors and a fifth seat, making it a much more practical family option.
Boot space
The boot in the 4 Series Coupe is a very respectable 445 litres. That’s more than enough for a big weekly shop or luggage for a weekend away, although the boot opening is smaller than a hatchback’s. The Gran Coupe version also has a 445-litre boot, but its hatchback-style tailgate makes loading large or awkward items much easier. The Convertible, as you’d expect, has less space, as the folding metal roof needs somewhere to go when it’s down.
Versatility
For a stylish coupe, the 4 Series is surprisingly versatile. Optional folding rear seats add a layer of practicality, and the range of body styles means you can choose the right balance of style and space for your needs. The Gran Coupe, in particular, is a brilliant all-rounder, offering much of the practicality of a 3 Series saloon but with a much more distinctive look.
Driving
Driving experience
This is what buying a BMW is all about. The 4 Series is fantastic to drive, with a wonderfully balanced and agile feel. Its lower, wider stance compared to the 3 Series means it feels even more planted and responsive in corners, with very little body roll. The steering is sharp and gives you plenty of confidence to enjoy a twisty road.
It’s a car that feels sporty and engaging, but it’s also a refined and comfortable cruiser. At motorway speeds, it’s quiet and stable, making it a great car for covering long distances. It really does offer the best of both worlds.
Performance
The 4 Series is available with a fantastic range of powerful and efficient engines. Even the entry-level 420i petrol offers lively performance, while the popular 420d diesel provides a great blend of strong acceleration and excellent fuel economy.
For those wanting more excitement, the six-cylinder petrol (440i) and diesel (430d, 435d) engines offer serious performance that’s not far off the legendary M4. Many models are also available with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which provides extra grip and reassurance in slippery conditions.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
For a premium sports coupe, the 4 Series is impressively economical. The diesel engines are the stars of the show when it comes to fuel efficiency, with the 420d capable of achieving over 65mpg in official tests. The petrol engines are also surprisingly frugal, with the 420i able to return close to 50mpg. This efficiency helps to keep CO2 emissions and road tax costs down, making it a surprisingly sensible choice.
Value for money
The 4 Series is a premium car with a premium price tag, competing directly with the Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class Coupe. However, it comes with a generous amount of standard equipment, including satellite navigation, heated leather seats, and parking sensors. It also holds its value very well for a car in this class, which is a big plus for long-term ownership costs.
Reliability & Warranty
The 4 Series has a good reliability record, using many of the same tried-and-tested parts as the hugely popular 3 Series. BMW as a brand generally performs well in reliability surveys. From new, all BMWs come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. When buying used, it’s always important to check for a full service history to ensure the car has been well looked after.
Safety
Safety features
Although the 4 Series itself wasn't specifically tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, it’s based on the same platform as the 3 Series, which scored the maximum five-star rating. You can be confident that it’s a very safe car.
All models come with a host of safety equipment, including multiple airbags and stability control systems. Front and rear parking sensors are also standard across the range, which is a big help when manoeuvring. You can also find used examples with optional advanced safety features like a head-up display, active cruise control, and a reversing camera.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
BMW offers a few different trim levels for the 4 Series, all of which are very well-equipped.
- Sport: The entry-level trim is far from basic. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated sports seats, climate control, parking sensors, and BMW’s ConnectedDrive navigation and infotainment system.
- M Sport: This is the most popular and desirable trim. It adds a more aggressive M aerodynamic body kit, firmer M Sport suspension, and unique interior details like an M Sport steering wheel. It gives the car the look and feel of a high-performance M model.
Engines
The engine range is excellent, with a choice of petrol and diesel units. The model number gives a clue to the performance – the higher the number, the more powerful the engine.
- 420i Petrol: A 2.0-litre petrol with around 184bhp. It’s the most popular petrol choice, offering a great mix of performance and economy.
- 430i & 440i Petrol: More powerful petrol options for those seeking more performance, with the 440i being a smooth and potent six-cylinder.
- 420d Diesel: The best-selling engine in the range. A 2.0-litre diesel with 190bhp that offers fantastic fuel economy and strong pulling power.
- 430d & 435d Diesel: Powerful six-cylinder diesel engines that provide effortless, rapid acceleration, making them amazing long-distance cruisers.