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- Highs Good fuel economy, peppy engines, cleverly integrated hatchback.
- Lows Muted handling, big blind spots, Apple CarPlay requires monthly subscription.
- Verdict Although it's not as sporty as it looks, the 4-series Gran Coupe is still a stylish, premium sedan.
Overview
The 2020 BMW 4-series Gran Coupe combines the graceful, flowing roofline of the two-door 4-series with the four-door practicality of a sedan and the wide-open cargo area of a hatchback. Its handsome exterior styling wraps around a premium cabin, but it's due for a redesign. The Gran Coupe challenges other coupe-like four-doors such as the Audi A5 Sportback and the Kia Stinger, both of which offer a higher level of driver involvement. Nonetheless, we've still come away impressed with the Gran Coupe's two gutsy turbocharged engines, which in our testing also proved to be quite fuel efficient.
What's New for 2020?
Although its less swoopy platform mate the 3-series has been redesigned for 2020, the 4-series Gran Coupe continues on with only minor changes this year. A revised lower front bumper, darker-tinted taillamps, two new wheel designs, and high-gloss black trim around the grille give the Gran Coupe an ever-so-slightly freshened appearance. BMW is now offering its Active Driving Assistant as standard; the driver-assistance suite includes lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning. Rain-sensing windshield wipers are also now standard. Inside, the Gran Coupe can be ordered with dark-brown Mocha leather upholstery and 440i M Sport models come with carbon-fiber trim. The 4-series Gran Coupe will temporarily disappear from inventory after the 2020 model year, but we expect an all-new version to debut in fall 2021 as a 2022 model.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Choosing between the turbocharged four-cylinder (430i) and turbocharged inline-six (440i) is a legitimately difficult decision. They are both silky smooth and plenty powerful, so we'll leave that decision to you. Regardless of model, we'd pick the Convenience package (blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, and driver's lumbar support) and add the wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi hotspot.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
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. Wearing the 430i name on its shapely rear end, our test vehicle was powered by the 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. While not as athletic as its looks 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.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
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, Comfort, and Cargo
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. 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, the 430i xDrive fit six carry-ons behind its rear seat and 15 with the rear seat folded in its almost-flat position.
Infotainment and Connectivity
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.
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:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard 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 maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
