2019 BMW 4-series Gran Coupe

Overview

The 2019 BMW 4-series Gran Coupe is a handsome four-door based on the 3-series sedan, with the added practicality of a hatchback and a folding rear seat. The Gran Coupe outperforms its sibling in the practicality game, but when going up against other four-door coupes such as the Audi A5 Sportback and the Kia Stinger, the BMW's muted driving dynamics fail to impress. What the 4-series Gran Coupe offers in place of the hoped-for driver engagement is a posh cabin, slick styling, efficient and powerful engines, and the prestige of the BMW name. That Ultimate Driving Machine thing? It's absent here.

What's New for 2019?

BMW hasn't made many changes to the 4-series Gran Coupe this year, but navigation with real-time traffic updates is now standard across the range, as is Apple CarPlay. A new Convenience package includes lumbar support, heated seats, and blind-spot monitoring; the Executive package now includes Dakota leather upholstery; and spec'ing the M Sport package now includes the contents of the Convenience package.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

As enticed as we are by the 440i's silky-smooth turbocharged inline-six engine, we'd suggest sticking with the more affordable (but still high-performing) 430i and its turbocharged four-cylinder. We'd spring for the aforementioned Convenience package and we'd also pay for the standalone heated steering wheel.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Strong turbo four, silky-smooth inline-six, predictable handling and brakes.
Dislikes: Transmission upshifts automatically when in manual mode, driving experience is far from ultimate.

The 4-series Gran Coupe's two turbocharged engines provide more than enough gumption for spirited driving, and the eight-speed automatic transmission handles gear changes with aplomb. Buyers have the choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive setups. Wearing the 430i name on its shapely rear end, our test vehicle was powered by a 248-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Sprinting from zero to 60 mph in a brisk 5.1 seconds isn't a standout among its rivals but we have no reason to complain. The turbo four pulls strongly, runs smoothly, and emits a muted burble that's appropriate for the Gran Coupe's sporty appearance. Stepping up to the 440i adds two cylinders and 72 more horsepower. We haven't tested this model, but its predecessor—dubbed 435i—was subjected to our test-track antics back in 2015 when it was rated at 300 horsepower (versus the 320 of the 2019 model). It delivered a 4.9-second blast to 60 mph and sounded fabulous while doing so.

While not as athletic as its looks or heritage would have you believe, the 4-series Gran Coupe can still hold its own when pushed hard down a winding road. Unfortunately, the Audi A5 Sportback and the Alfa Romeo Giulia both manage to deliver a higher level of driver involvement and substantially more feedback from the road through their communicative helms. Ride comfort is okay, but it isn't as supple as expected from a car that offers only a mediocre amount of athleticism.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Although the 430i's EPA estimates are on par with its rivals, the more powerful six-cylinder 440i model trounces V-6–powered competitors such as the Buick Regal GS and the Kia Stinger GT when it comes to conserving fuel. We haven't had the chance to put a 440i through our real-world testing, but the all-wheel-drive 430i blasted past its 33-mpg EPA estimate and delivered a stellar 37 mpg.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Great driving position, responsive infotainment system, more practical than its sedan sibling.
Dislikes: Compromised rearward visibility and rear-seat headroom, no Android Auto support, petite center-armrest storage bin.

Boasting a host of luxury features, a driver-focused cockpit, and rich materials throughout, the 4-series Gran Coupe's cabin feels more upscale than its rivals. The rich caramel-colored leather in our test vehicle brightened up what would otherwise be a dark interior, while the materials used throughout the cabin look and feel upscale. A driver-focused design angles the center-stack slightly toward the left, and a straight-forward driving position puts all controls right where they should be. In addition, our test vehicle's highly adjustable front buckets provided power-adjustable side bolsters and a manually adjustable thigh-support feature.

BMW's iDrive infotainment system is displayed on a 6.5-inch touchscreen that sprouts monolithically from the top of the dashboard; a larger 8.8-inch display is optional and includes navigation and real-time traffic updates. No matter the screen size, the interface is controlled via touch or by using a rotary clickwheel mounted between the front seats. The optional Wi-Fi hotspot utilizes a 4G LTE data connection, which requires a monthly subscription after a three-month trial.

The 4-series Gran Coupe's fastback rear end disguises a practical hatchback design that opens up to a large and commodious cargo hold. In our testing, our 430i xDrive fit six carry-ons behind its rear seat and 15 with the rear seat folded in its almost-flat position.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Without data to analyze from the country's leading safety agencies, we are unable to report on the crashworthiness of the 4-series Gran Coupe. Driver-assistance features are offered, but most are expensive add-ons. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW offers warranty policies that for the most part compare with premium brands such as Audi and Alfa Romeo. Ambitious non-premium cars from Buick and Kia are attempting to shoulder into this arena and offer more value by way of longer coverage terms; the 4-series Gran Coupe beats all of its rivals when it comes to complimentary scheduled maintenance, however.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles