2023 BMW 4 Series Coupe

The BMW 4 Series Coupe is a compact executive car for the driver who likes to be noticed, and we understand why: it's a looker. Read any review of the BMW 4 Series Coupe, and you'll be faced with intense opinions on that in-your-face front end. But it's actually grown on us, and we think it works. Under the hood, the 4 Series offers a range of excellent engines that strike a great balance between fuel efficiency and raw power. The former comes courtesy of a 255-horsepower turbocharged inline-four, while raw power refers to the M440i, which features a potent 382-hp turbo inline-six that will get the heart racing in no time. The interior of the 4 Series is plush, the tech is on point, and it has all the safety gear you need, but competitors give the BMW 4 Series a run for its money in some other areas: the Audi A5 Coupe is more reserved but ticks a few more boxes as a package deal, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe looks much more suave both inside and out. What's so special about the buck-toothed 4?

A modern, two-door BMW coupe was never going to be cheap. The 2023 BMW 4 Series Coupe in 430i configuration starts with an MSRP of $49,100 before tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995. Adding the xDrive AWD system will push the price up to $51,100. The more powerful M versions command quite a premium. The M440i Coupe will set you back $60,550, and the xDrive model goes for $62,550. Fully loaded, the M440i xDrive will set you back around $78k in the USA before destination.

The German trinity that is Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW are the front runners in this segment, and when comparing rivals, BMW usually springs to mind based on its reputation for developing machines with superior handling and high levels of driver enjoyment. Considering this is a coupe based on the iconic 3 Series sedan, expectations are high. Does the BMW 4 Series Coupe live up to this standard? Yes, and no. In its base form, the 4 Series feels surprisingly relaxed and not as focused as we'd expect it to be. The chassis setup is aimed more at comfort, and the steering is numb. Even putting the car in its more sporty driving modes doesn't do much to lift its capabilities. The softer feel is great for city and highway cruising, however, but there's little opportunity to pop the back end out, even in rear-wheel drive configuration. If you're after a bit more excitement, the RWD M440i and its xDrive sibling are the ones to go for. Fitted With stiffer M suspension and sporty brakes, these cars are considerably more lively and enjoyable to drive, and will accelerate to 60 mph in the mid-four-second range, depending on which drivetrain you select.

The 2023 BMW 4 Series has finally shed all the drama surrounding its front end and can now get down to the business of being an excellent sports tourer. The 4 Series isn't a razor-sharp driving tool and instead focuses on style and comfort, both of which it has in bucket loads. The chassis and suspension setup has been tuned to offer a comfy daily drive, but there is still some enjoyment to be had, especially if you go for the muscular M440i model. Both the 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter engines are excellent in their own way, and both offer more than enough power for their respective duties. The interior is plush, and although the back seat might be a tad tight, we think BMW did an excellent job with the cabin. The Audi A5 Coupe might be better looking in a traditional sense, and the Mercedes C-Class Coupe has a more intriguing interior, but the BMW still does the job it was intended to do really well. As long as you're not expecting it to be a kidney-crushing back-road slayer, the 4 Series won't disappoint.

Seeing as all four trims have more or less the same amount of luxury features, the choice here boils down to budget and how fast you want to go. The base 430i isn't a slow car by any stretch of the imagination and will whip most hot hatchbacks off the line, but the BMW 4 Series Coupe looks too good to only have 255 hp. We'd suggest going with the tail-happy M440i. We wouldn't bother with any optional extras, as the car works perfectly in its standard form.