BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2013-2021) Review

The chances are you’ll have owned several 3 Series and you’re after something a bit different. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is exactly that, familiar but different and distinct enough to be a bit more appealing, a cut above if you like. That it’s a bit more practical thanks to the large hatchback opening for the same-size boot is a bonus, so think of the 4 Series Gran Coupe as a 3 Series +, in relation to style, practicality, desirability and, of course, price. 

With an engine line-up that broadly follows that of the 3 Series there’s a decent choice of 4 Series Gran Coupe possibilities, from the sensible 190PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel, to the powerful 326PS 440i with its petrol turbocharged six-cylinder. 

The best mix of both performance and relatively sensible economy is undoubtedly offered by the 430d model, which offers serious pace – enough to ignore the 435d above it – allied to easy, day-to-day flexibility and impressive fuel economy. Much as we’d prefer the more comfortable standard suspension of the Sport model, the sharper looks of the M Sport, as well as the additional equipment it brings makes it the more compelling choice.

Along with its obvious BMW 3 Series relative here, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s most direct rival would be the Audi A5 Sportback, which, like the BMW, is a more sveltely styled four-door car with a hatchback boot and a price tag a bit more than the car it’s based on – the Audi A4. 

Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer a direct rival off its Mercedes C-Class range, but there are a few contenders in the upper mainstream category, with Volkswagen pushing its Volkswagen Arteon as a possible 4 Series Gran Coupe rival, while Peugeot might argue that its Peugeot 508 should be considered as an alternative, but we’re not so sure it should. Again, a Kia Stinger is conceptually similar, but however good it is, that BMW badge is a huge draw here.    

The build quality feels good throughout, as you’d expect in a car wearing a premium badge on the bonnet, with the interior feeling like it’ll last forever. 

There’s a but though, and that’s around some of the materials, it not too difficult to find harder, admittedly durable, plastics that lack the sort of premium tactility that you’d anticipate in a car of this class. Certainly, here, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe trails its key Audi A5 Sportback rival, but it’s more of an observation than a deal breaker, as, overall, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe feels, and looks high quality. 

By virtue of being an older model in the line-up, the 4 Series Gran Coupe does without a touchscreen, which is no bad thing, as the iDrive controller that you get instead is among the very best (and easiest) means of operating an infotainment system. 

There’s DAB in all, as well as sat nav, Bluetooth connectivity and USB sockets. Apple CarPlay is a cost option at £235, while a lot of the ‘connected’ services that come as standard from new need a subscription payment after the first three years of free use. 

The standard audio system is excellent, but there’s the possibility to upgrade the speakers to a Harman/Kardon set, this coming either on its own or as part of the M Sport Plus Package. The instruments are conventional in the 4 Series Gran Coupe, though there’s the option of a head-up display, which is included in the Technology Package, which adds, among others, Professional Multimedia, enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging and WIFI hotspot preparation.  

It might have coupe in its name, but that hasn’t impacted on the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s usefulness. Indeed, it’s a convincing alternative to the 3 Series saloon, not least because the large hatchback opening provides far greater access to the boot. 

The boot space on offer 480 litres, that being the same as its 3 Series relation, and the seats fold in a 60/40 format to allow a maximum boot volume of 1300 litres – to carry any more in a similar-sized BMW you’ll need a 3 Series Touring. 

Rear head and legroom isn’t quite as generous in the 4 Series Gran Coupe compared to the 3 Series, but that’s the price you pay for the more stylish profile. BMW bills it as a 4+1 seater, which tells you everything you need to know about the middle rear seat – think of it as an emergency option only, it's too narrow to be anything else, while the cushion height, both on the seat itself and the seatback mean it’s uncomfortable to be perched on. 

Oddment storage is decent, with a good-sized glovebox, net pockets on the seat backs, a useful lidded cubby between the front seats and some cupholders and door pockets giving you plenty of places to lose your phone, purse or wallet.  

Two Isofix child seat mounts are positioned on the outer rear seats if you’ve a young family and want those seats properly secured. 

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is a bit more expensive than its 3 Series relation, and it does without the entry-level engines as a result. The starting point in the petrol range is the 184PS turbocharged petrol engine badged 420i, with the 430i being a 252PS version of the same engine. The petrol range is headed by the 326PS six-cylinder petrol, badged 440i. None are slow, with even the 420i able to reach 62mph in 7.3 seconds and 440i doing the same in just 5 seconds.

The diesel line-up is also denied of the 3’s weakest offering, instead starting with the 190PS 420d, which is nearly as quick as that petrol with a 7.4 second 0-62mph time. The 430d gains a couple of cylinders to become a straight-six, its 258PS allowing a 5.5 second 0-62mph time, and if you want quicker again the 435d drops that to 4.7 seconds thanks to its 313PS output. 

All but those entry-level petrol and diesel engines are mated to an automatic transmission, offering smooth, quick changes, with the option of manual control via steering-wheel-mounted paddles should you want to take over. 

The manual gearbox works well if you’re a traditionalist and happy with the smaller engines, its shift quality good, the clutch light and easily modulated.    

Refinement is good across the entire model range. They all do a good job of delivering hushed, relaxing long-legged cruise, without the interruption of wind or road noise. Rougher roads, and the larger wheel choices – allied to the M Sport suspension – will see a bit of noise making it through to the cabin, but that’s true of any of the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s rivals. 

The engines are all quiet, too, only making sounds when you want them to, with sporting notes on offer if you rev them out – even the diesels. Indeed, BMW’s diesel engines are among the smoothest you’ll experience, with very little vibration or noise. 

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe's electronic stability control, traction control and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and a host of other chassis systems help prevent an accident in the first place. Should one be inevitable, there’s front, side, overheard and knee airbags, with a full length curtain airbag, too, and Isofix child seat mounts in the rear. All come with tyre pressure monitoring, too. 

Being an older model in the BMW line up, the most advanced safety equipment such as active cruise control with a stop and go function – which brakes and accelerates the car for you on the motorway – was an option. The 4 Series wasn’t tested by Euro NCAP, but its close relation the (2012) 3 Series was, it scoring a full five star score in the crash tests, the 4 Series Gran Coupe certain to match that test result.     

Group 30 for all the petrol 420i models, with no difference between Sport and M Sport models, or rear and four-wheel drive. The 430i attracts a group 34 rating and the 440i a group 38 rating. The diesels are fractionally higher in their insurance groups with the 420d in all guises being in group 31, the 430d group 39 and the 435d being in group 41. 

Only the range topping 440i and 435d models will trouble the £40,000 upper limit for VED – without options, anyway – so you’ll pay £475 annually for road tax in the first four years of their lives. All other models fall into the £150 a year payment for tax, now. 

SE versions of the 4 Series Gran Coupe look smart on the outside thanks to their 17-inch alloy wheels that are fitted with run flat tyres, xenon headlights and dynamic tail lights. The inside feels pretty posh, too, thanks to a standard leather interior and sports steering wheel. Equipment, meanwhile, is expansive and includes: auto lights and wipers, two-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, an electrically powered boot and – on 428i models and above – electrically adjustable front seats.

Sport models add 18-inch alloy wheels on the outside and inside get ambient lighting, drive select, front sports seats, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a sports instrument cluster.

Luxury models look flasher. They get chrome exterior detailing on the outside and Dakota leather upholstery on the inside, along with upgraded infotainment. The 430d and 435d models also get metallic paint and the eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox, while the 435i adds M Sport suspension.

Top-of-the-range M Sport models get the sportiest looks of all thanks to their M Sport body kit, twin-spoke 18-inch wheels and lowered suspension. Inside, they get aluminium trim pieces, sports seats and an M Sport gear leaver.