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- Highs Choice of smooth and powerful engines, comfortable ride, practical cargo space.
- Lows Compromised rear-seat headroom, dull steering feel, no manual transmission.
- Verdict The 4-series Gran Coupe provides two-door looks in a practical four-door, but even though it has plenty of power, its driving dynamics are short on thrills.
Overview
In the 2015 model year, BMW shook up the market a bit when it introduced the 4-series Gran Coupe, a four-door hatchback with the 4-series coupe’s roofline and lower body design, but with four doors. This makes the Gran Coupe a sportier, more style-conscious model than the 3-series sedan. It has paid off for BMW: The 3-series long had been the brand’s bestseller, often accounting for half of U.S. sales, but the 4-series has begun to outsell it, not because of the two-door models, but because of the Gran Coupe.
What's New for 2017?
BMW has two new engines, with new nomenclature, for the 2017 model year. The old 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is replaced with an all-new 2.0-liter turbo that makes an additional eight horsepower, resulting in the renaming of the 428i Gran Coupe to 430i Gran Coupe. Similarly, the old 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six of the 435i Gran Coupe is replaced with an all-new 3.0-liter turbo I-6, making 20 additional horses, and a renaming of the model to 440i Gran Coupe. Both models get an “xDrive” badge when equipped with all-wheel drive.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Base: $49,295
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 430i Gran Coupe’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four is rated at 248 horsepower, and the 440i’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six makes 320 horsepower. While the 4-series coupe and convertible are offered with a manual gearbox, the Gran Coupe comes only with an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual controls. Either Gran Coupe is available with rear- or all-wheel drive, and both engines deliver smooth, usable power. But enthusiasts will want to spring for the six. In our initial drive of a RWD Gran Coupe with a turbo-four and BMW’s optional Dynamic Handling package, we found its body motions satisfyingly controlled by the chassis tuning but hobbled a bit by unexceptional steering feel. BMW’s well-known ability to balance ride comfort with handling prowess hasn’t changed over the years, but it has work to do in order to reclaim its reputation for benchmark steering tuning.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Gran Coupe has seating for five, while the standard 4-series coupe and convertible seat only four. But because of the Gran Coupe’s rakish roofline, there is less headroom than in the more upright 3-series sedan. The Gran Coupe’s leather is of the top-notch Nappa variety, though it is optional at extra cost, and there’s a good deal of bare plastic in the doors and nether regions of the interior, though mitigated with some wood and high-gloss black trim. A Sports Lines package adds sport seats, an anthracite headliner, unique instrument cluster, a sport leather steering wheel with red-contrast stitching, and key fob with a red clasp. The capacious hatchback cargo space offers 17 cubic feet with the rear seat upright, and 45.9 cubic feet with it folded.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Gran Coupe’s tech features include a 6.5-inch display, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and a nine-speaker audio system. The available BMW iDrive 5.0 system offers a larger screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay (but no Android Auto), wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. There's also an optional 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the BMW 4-series Gran Coupe's 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.
