BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé review

When BMW first brought out a variant of one of its own cars, it was a dreadful affair. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo looked like an awkward halfway-house between a regular 5 Series and an X6.

But the ‘GT’ shouldn’t be confused with the Gran Coupé, which has arrived at the door of the standard 4 Series. What’s ironic, though, is while most coupés are two doors, this has four. And, strictly speaking, it’s a hatchback.

While it’s no longer than the standard 4 Series, it is more family-friendly, and widening the appeal of an already excellent vehicle is no bad thing.

The looks are somewhat contentious. Not everyone’s a fan of the new-style elongated kidney grilles, while the giant fenders will make purists think it's too flashy. But even in basic form, this BMW has sporty credentials befitting a coupé, despite the four doors.

There are numerous versions of the 'Basic' line-up. The 420i and 430i are both 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrols producing 184PS (39.2-41.5mpg, 154-153g/km CO2) and 245PS (37.7-39.8mpg, 160-169g/km CO2). They are available in M Sport and M Sport Pro Edition trims, while the 420d is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel producing 190PS (53.3-56.5mpg, 130-138g/km CO2).

There is little difference between the standard 4 Series and the Gran Coupé to drive. The engines are exceptionally refined, while the eight-speed automatic fitted across the range is as smooth as a freshly shaved chin.

The 420i can get from 0-62mph in eight seconds flat, and, for a diesel, the 420d is sophisticated. But the 430i is what I’m testing as, for me, it’s the pick of the bunch. While it lacks the lower-rev torque of the diesel, it’s a joy to drive. The car gets to 62mph in 6.2 seconds – making the most of the excellent, direct steering. Unfortunately, the other engines, good as they are, somehow feel like they aren't quite enough to compliment the Beemer’s excellent handling.

The standard 4 Series is no longer just a 3 Series with two doors removed. Since splitting the 3 Series Coupé to create the 4 Series, BMW has taken it in its own direction. So even though the Gran Coupé gets the two missing doors back, the entire 4 Series is wider and heavier than the 3 but still low to the ground. And a low centre of gravity makes for a great driving experience.

There is so much grip in the bends, so twisty B-roads are bliss. The car effortlessly snakes its way through the countryside without the slightest hint of body roll.

If you push the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the additional torque in the diesel can threaten to grab the rear wheels and send you spinning. Therefore, BMW offers the heavy oil-burner with xDrive all-wheel drive, which nicely combats the issue. In addition, the rear-wheel-drive versions benefit from slightly more agile steering because of the lack of extra weight over the front.

The ride comfort is firm, as you’d expect from a car with precision handling, so bendy backroads can be jarring if you’ve got a bad back. If you want something more comfort-focused, a 3 Series is more suitable. That said, the optional M Sport Pro Pack adds adaptive dampers – and it’s money well spent – although even that isn’t enough to smooth out poorly-surfaced roads completely.

If your pockets are even deeper, you might want to try the full-beans petrol-fuelled M-version, the M440i xDrive. As the name suggests, it has all-wheel drive (despite the numbers, it’s a 3.0-litre straight-six) and, although I prefer the handling in the two-wheel-drive variant, the engine is something else. The powerplant produces 373PS and gets from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. There is a stack of power throughout the rev range, and it utilises the transmission perfectly to maximise performance. It even includes some mild-hybrid technology to help with the fuel economy (34-35.3mpg) and emissions (182g/km CO2).

If that is out of the question, though, you are still getting a great BMW, no matter which one you pick. They all come with LED lights, an automatic tailgate, sports seats, and a sports leather steering wheel. Automatic air conditioning, a reversing camera and cruise control with brake function are also part of the standard package. As you’d expect, the interior is lovely. There is a lot of silver, especially along the mid-section of the dashboard, which sits between a two-tone colour scheme on the 430i. The quality feels premium, while the 10.25-inch infotainment screen (touch-sensitive nowadays) is unobtrusive and one of the best available systems.

Thankfully, there are plenty of physical buttons underneath the screen, plus more on the steering wheel. Furthermore, the iDrive is excellent to use, helped by the rotary dial, which is retained next to the gear lever. Digital dials are also included and, if you opt for the Pro Edition, you’ll get more sporty styling, better brakes, and a premium sound system.

The seats are easily adjustable, and you feel like you’re sitting low to the ground. The space in the back is respectable, although the 5 Series might be better if rear room is something you’ll need to rely on. 470 litres of boot space is offered (an increase of 30 litres over the standard 4) while the seats collapse in a 40/20/40 configuration, increasing cargo capacity to 1,290 litres.

The five-star Euro NCAP safety rating for the 3 Series is also valid for the 4 Series Gran Coupé. Protection aids come in the form of a front collision warning system, autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure warning tech. More safety kit is available via the optional Driving Assistant Professional pack, too.

Overall, the 4 Series Gran Coupé is first-rate. It is reasonably practical, with good engines, a great gearbox, excellent handling, and a premium cabin.

The drivability is sublime, and there's very little one can criticise. The BMW 4 Series 430i M Sport Gran Coupé is the nicest motor I’ve driven in a long time when it comes to providing the best of all worlds.