2018 BMW 4-Series

Overview

Whether cruising in the swanky convertible or raising hell in the racy coupe, the two-door BMW 4-series exemplifies the luxury sports car. Based on BMW’s venerable 3 Series sedan, both body styles are available with an overachieving 248-hp turbocharged four-cylinder (430i) or a dynamic 320-hp turbocharged inline-six (440i). The convertible is of the hardtop variety, which enhances interior quietness and is snug in cold-weather. The 4-series is expensively tailored, and its driver-centric interior also has the segment’s largest back seat. A highly capable chassis seamlessly transitions between relaxed and athletic.

What’s New for 2018?

The 4-series received new engines and new trim terminology in 2017. For 2018, BMW stiffened the suspension, tweaked the steering, and made subtle styling updates to the front and rear ends, including new headlights and taillights. The 4-series has two new unique wheel designs, plus two new exterior colors: Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange. The optional navigation system has a new interface, and the available advanced instrument-cluster display is more robust.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 430i is powered by a zesty 248-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and the 440i boasts a 320-hp turbocharged inline-six that lives up to BMW’s reputation as a great engine company. Both pair with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the check box for a manual transmission is only available in three coupe trims: the 430i, the 440i, and the 440i xDrive. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all models can be equipped with all-wheel drive. The rear-drive 440i coupe we tested had the automatic, which can be manually controlled via steering-wheel paddles or the console shifter. Its turbo-six is quiet at idle and cruising speeds, but it comes alive when taken to the limit, every upshift followed by a pleasing exhaust snarl. Along with a standard auto stop/start feature, there are four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. Even in the sporty modes, accelerating from a dead stop won’t snap your spine like a Camaro SS V-8—but the 440i isn’t far behind. During our track testing, the coupe accelerated quicker than every competitor, including the more powerful twin-turbo Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400. All three of the available suspensions (base, M Sport, and Adaptive M) are stiffer and have improved damping for 2018. BMW also revised the steering system. In the Comfort setting, it’s relaxed but accurate; in sport modes, it has added heft that improves the connection between the driver and the road. The 4-series is at its best blitzing down a curvy backroad where its body motion is minimal. In our cornering test, it had the lowest grip of its rivals, but that’s not an indictment of the coupe’s performance; its best attribute is blending athletic handling and a composed ride.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The driver gets most of the attention in the 4-series as the center console, center stack, and infotainment screen are angled to the left. The 440i coupe we tested had the Premium and M Sport packages, plus black leather appointments with blue stitching. Although the aluminum trim added a sporty touch and the plastics were soft, the monotone interior looked plain. The M Sport package adds a unique leather-wrapped steering wheel that looks and feels amazing. The standard front sport seats are supportive but too firm, especially on longer road trips. Despite a tiny center console bin, the 4-series has several useful storage spots. These include a handy dash compartment on the driver’s left-hand side and a tray below the climate controls that’s perfect for smartphones. While two-doors might denote limited cargo space, the 4-series is less limited than most of its rivals. The BMW can hold a respectable number of carry-ons with the rear seats folded, and the large trunk incorporates useful bins for extra storage. A center pass-through is accessible in the back seat, but dropping the outboard seatbacks must be done via release handles in the trunk.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is aesthetically pleasing but lacks a touchscreen interface. A standard 6.5-inch screen sits atop the dashboard looking like a propped-up tablet; an 8.8-inch screen with navigation is optional with the pricey Premium package. Both units are controlled by a rotary knob surrounded by redundant buttons on the center console. The software is more responsive than popular smartphones, but Apple CarPlay costs extra here and Android Auto isn’t available. Voice commands are readily recognized, and pairing to Bluetooth is painless. However, the system has an odd quirk we don’t understand: After the car is shut off and the door is opened, the radio continues to play until the doors are locked. More than once this left us with a case of “Did I leave my lights on?”

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the BMW 4-series crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.