2023 BMW 4 Series

Pros:

• Engines that are both powerful and good on gas
• Comfort doesn’t have to be sacrificed for a car to handle well.
• Surprisingly ample space for goods

Cons:

• With a flat hood, it’s hard to put the front edge of the car in the right place.
• You can only fit through the standard sunroof if you are too tall to work through the standard sunroof.

The way the 4 Series is driven. Even in the 430i form we tested, the 4 Series has great power. In just 5.6 seconds, our test 430i coupe went from 0 to 60 mph. On the other hand, the old 430i and Lexus RC 300 took 6.2 seconds. The brakes on our test vehicle were upgraded because it had the Dynamic Handling package. They could stop a car going 60 miles per hour in 105 feet, but they were a bit grabby in everyday driving.

When you drive too fast, the steering can get a little fuzzy. Even though it’s a slight letdown for BMW, competitors could do better in this area. Handling is one of the 4 Series’s strong points. It stays stable through sharp turns and has a high threshold before the traction control kicks in. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly and consistently in the right gear, making this car easy to live with.

How is the 4 Series for comfort? BMW has some of the best front seats on the market. They are comfortable and have a lot of adjustments, like thigh extension and the angle of the side bolster, that let you find the best way to sit.

Our test vehicle was equipped with the optional Dynamic Handling package, which included dampers for the suspension that could be adjusted. With the 4 Series, it has a very smooth ride. Adaptive dampers are a must-have upgrade if you buy a 4 Series with M Sport. The engine is quiet, maybe too soft for a sports coupe. There is also little noise from the wind or the tires.

The only big mistake is in the way the climate system works. We like the tri-zone design in a car this size, but the automatic setting doesn’t change the fan speed. A touchscreen menu also hides the sync feature. It’s important to note that our tester didn’t have ventilated seats, even though they are available.

How does the inside look? The inside of the 4 Series will be comfortable for people who have driven BMWs before but scary for people who have never gone one back. The majority of the controls, even though there are a lot of buttons, are organized in a clear and understandable way. Some strange design choices, like the charging pad in front of the cupholders, make it impossible to reach your phone when the cupholders are full. Even though most of the controls are easy to get, the iDrive system’s menus are hard to understand and take a while to learn.

Even though there is enough legroom in the front, the car’s small size and sharp roofline make the back seat less useful. Because the standard sunroof cuts down on headroom, tall drivers may need help fitting in the front seat.

Because there are so many windows, you can see out of the sides and back very well. The view from the front is fine, but the flat hood makes it hard to position the car, and when you turn left, the side view mirrors may slightly block your view.

How good is the tech? Wireless The 4 Series comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other things. Our test car’s wireless connection worked perfectly, and the four USB ports and charging pad are always ready to be used. Even for places that aren’t homes, the navigation system’s ability to show Yelp ratings is beneficial. Only one thing needs to be corrected: the map information on the screen is way too much. When you zoom out, the major streets are still shown in red, yellow, and green. If traffic is turned on, be ready for a sea of red, yellow, and green.

When recognizing addresses and requests for points of interest, the voice controls are almost perfect. The sound from the Harman Kardon system is rich and complete, and it’s well worth the low price.

What about putting things away? The trunk of the 4 Series coupe, which is 12 cubic feet, is slightly bigger than its competitors. There are a few small storage spaces under the wheel wells, and remote levers make it easy to get the back seats out of the way. But you might have to slide the front seats forward to fold them. To lower the seat backs, you must also go into the room. Inside, there is a lot of space for storage. The side panels have cutouts and cup holders for the back passengers, and there are also a lot of cubbies and cup holders.

It will take a lot of work to find an appropriate car seat. The top anchors are hard to find, but the lower ones are easy. The more difficult thing is getting a car seat in and out of the small cabin.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA estimates the rear-wheel-drive 430i coupe gets 28 mpg on the highway. Because of this, it is among the most fuel-efficient vehicles available. We got an average of 30.5 mpg on our 115-mile test route, which shows that these predictions can be met in real life. We are glad to see that the performance of the four-outstanding cylinder does not cause gas prices to go up.

Should I go ahead and purchase a BMW 4 Series? The 4 Series is more modern and stylish than its predecessor. Some of the matte black plastic trim has been replaced with a frame that looks like metal. As expected, the switches and panels fit together very well. There are no rattles or squeaks that can be heard. The only parts of the car’s interior that feel cheap are the dashboard covers and armrests.

The 4 Series is priced like any other high-end European coupe. Even though other cars offer better overall value, the 430i feels more like it was made for the customer because it has many options.

The warranty covers the powertrain and the whole car from bumper to bumper for four years and 50,000 miles. Compared to German competitors, this is a good deal, but the engine warranty on the Lexus RC 300 is less strict. Only BMW makes cars in this class that don’t need any repairs for three years and 36,000 miles.

It’s a lot of fun to drive the 4 Series. Even with the 430i, the power available will be enough for most drivers. Even though the steering isn’t as good as what BMW is known for, the 4 Series is a joy to drive on curvy roads.

Even though people have different tastes in style, we haven’t met anyone who didn’t cringe when they saw the 4 Series’s front end. Even though the 4 Series has a disgustingly prominent grille, the front has a unique style, while the back is dull. Unfortunately, the controversial exterior hides a good, well-rounded, fun-to-drive sports sedan.

Even though we like the M440i because it has more power, the 430i is the better choice. It costs much less than the M440i and has upgrade options and packages that can improve performance, luxury, and technology.

Types of BMW 4 Series cars

Both the coupe and convertible versions of the BMW 4 Series feature two doors. They come in four trim levels: 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i, and M440i xDrive. (The Gran Coupe model with four doors is looked at separately.) The M440i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, whereas the 430i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft (382 hp, 369 lb-ft). An automatic transmission with eight speeds powers both engines. On xDrive models, all-wheel drive is optional, and rear-wheel drive is the norm.