The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Some of BMW’s best engines yet
- Balanced handling
- Terrific infotainment
- Great ride
Dislikes
- Ghastly front end
- Manual on M4 only
- Steering feedback could be better
- Lotta cash with options
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2023 BMW 4-Series lineup may beg for attention with its brash styling, but these cars have terrific handling, ride quality, and acceleration.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 BMW 4-Series? What does it compare to?
The 4-Series is the coupe, convertible, and sleek-roof sedan version of the automaker’s venerable 3-Series. Shop them against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4/A5.
Is the 2023 BMW 4-Series a good car?
These are fun, powerful, and polished cars—so long as you can stomach their styling. We rate them at 6.6 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2023 BMW 4-Series?
Aside from a new infotainment system and price hikes ranging from $1,600 to more than double that, the 4-Series range sees few notable tweaks for 2023. A button gear selector replaces the gear lever in the console, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster runs into a 14.9-inch touchscreen with improved voice commands.
With styling best described as polarizing—at least up front—the 4-Series coupe, convertible, and four-door (Gran Coupe in BMW-speak) make a strong impression. Their oh-so-big kidney grilles give way to incongruously sedate lines from the side and behind. Aside from a different console and shifter layout, they’re nearly dead ringers inside for the 3-Series—although you might be more inclined to spring for one of the more audacious interior hues BMW offers.
This big lineup starts with a 255-hp turbo-4 in the 430i and jumps from a 382-hp boosted inline-6 before topping out as high as 503 hp in M4 guise. All boast quick responses and rapid acceleration, and the base models can even manage nearly 35 mpg on the highway. Each rides and handles with aplomb, though the M4 can be downright stiff—especially in rorty Competition guise. The sweet spot in this lineup wears M440i badging, both in terms of its power-to-handling balance and its price tag.
Gran Coupes are the only 4-Series models you should consider if a back seat is even remotely important. No version has a big trunk, but that’s to be expected with style-forward cars such as these. On the flip side, soft nappa hides and open-pore wood trim are on the options—err, make that the must-have—list.
The 3-Series models have earned top safety ratings, but their 4-Series siblings have yet to be tested. All models have the basics, while a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and more cameras than the federally mandated backup camera are optional.
How much does the 2023 BMW 4-Series cost?
The 4-Series starts around $47,000, but you’ll want to budget for at least a few options. Figure north of $55,000 for a well-outfitted 430i Gran Coupe, or another $10,000 for a droptop.
Where is the 2023 BMW 4-Series made?
In Germany.
2023 BMW 4-Series Styling
We may never grow accustomed to the 4-Series’ front end.
Is the BMW 4-Series a good-looking car?
It is from inside, where you don’t have to see its gaudy, overwhelming grille.
Sorry, BMW, you’ve lost us.
The 4-Series earns a 5 out of 10 since its balanced cabin keeps us happy. Its exterior loses the point that its interior gains.
Oh, that grille. It’s gigantic and cartoonish, but it’s really the only part of the 4-Series that doesn’t look quite nice. Coupes and convertibles have classic two-door proportions and muscular haunches. The 4-Series Gran Coupe echoes two-door models in its profile, even though it has a modicum of sedan practicality.
Inside, the 4-Series has an updated dash with nicely integrated screens framed by the steering wheel and perched at the center of the dash. Many of the drive and climate buttons have been subsumed by the touchscreen, so it looks cleaner.
BMW offers a huge range of interior hues, so consider venturing beyond BMW’s classic black.
2023 BMW 4-Series Performance
The 4-Series boasts commendable handling and terrific acceleration.
Forget about that styling for a moment. The 4-Series lineup offers superb engines and terrific handling balance, even if its steering feel could be better. It’s an 8 out of 10 based on the 430i; the 440i and certainly the M4 would earn another point.
Is the BMW 4-Series 4WD?
All-wheel drive is optional.
How fast is the BMW 4-Series?
Base 430i models have the goods. They use a 225-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 paired with a quick 8-speed automatic transmission to zip to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds in two-door form. (Convertibles and Gran Coupes are a smidge slower.)
These base models ride and handle well, with rapid steering response and a quality ride that irons out potholes exceptionally well.
The M440i are more than just quicker—though with 382 hp from a 3.0-liter turbo-6, they rip to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. They see a notable improvement in response thanks to adaptive dampers, a limited-slip differential, and variable sport steering. They also stop better thanks to upsized brakes.
Still, both the 430i and the M440i lack some of the steering granularity once native to BMWs.
More like a supercar than a sports car, the M4 flies to 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds with the optional Competition package, which ups the 3.0-liter twin-turbo-6’s power output from 473 to 503 hp. Only the lower output is offered with a slick 6-speed manual gearbox, though.
They’re big, heavy, and loaded up with electronic aids. While they may lack the tossability of 1990s M3s, these models are still stunners with unflappable grip among their assets.
2023 BMW 4-Series Comfort & Quality
Upscale, if not exactly spacious, the BMW 4-Series has a lovely cabin.
You’re probably not looking at 4-Series because you want to haul your family of seven in comfort. With that in mind, these coupes, convertibles, and sedans serve up an attractive and well-wrought interior.
Our 8 out of 10 rating here goes to the Gran Coupe, which has comfy front seats, nice appointments, and a decent trunk. Coupes and droptops would score lower if rated separately.
All models have power-adjustable front seats, though real leather is optional. M4 models can be equipped with carbon-fiber-backed seats that save weight and look great but won’t accommodate wider or taller passengers in anything resembling comfort.
No model offers particularly good space, though two can squeeze behind the front seats in coupes and convertibles. Gran Coupes have 34.9 inches of legroom, which is small for a four-door but will do the job in a pinch. Three abreast is wishful thinking.
Gran Coupes have about 17 cubic feet of trunk space. Coupes offer just 12.0 cubes, while convertibles lose three more cubic feet.
2023 BMW 4-Series Safety
The 2023 BMW 4-Series has not been crash tested.
How safe is the BMW 4-Series?
It’s probably a solid choice, but the NHTSA and the IIHS have yet to weigh in. The related 3-Series has earned strong marks from the IIHS, though.
All 4-Series models have blind-spot monitors, automatic high-beam headlights, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and uprated LED headlights are optional, as well as a remote parking function operated through a smartphone.
2023 BMW 4-Series Features
The 2023 BMW 4-Series range offers plenty of features and options.
BMW is downright proud of its 4-Series lineup. Even the cheapest Gran Coupe will set you back about $47,000, while coupes run another $1,500 and droptops start just shy of $57,000.
That money buys a fair amount of car, though. All models now come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch touchscreen with voice commands that can handle most of the inputs on the touchscreen. With wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility comes standard, as well as a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty augmented with a 3-year/36,000-mile free maintenance plan. With another point added for the impressive level of customizability, the 4-Series range scores a 9 for features.
Which BMW 4-Series should I buy?
We’d start with a Gran Coupe, which comes with synthetic leather, LED headlights, parking sensors, and power-adjustable front seats in 430i form for about $47,000. All-wheel drive costs $2,000 more.
Before you add any sporty options, consider the M440i Gran Coupe, which costs $12,000 more than the 430i but includes a lot more power, bigger wheels, and some go-fast-looking bits.
We’d go for all-wheel drive, paint ours San Remo Green over Mocha leather, and add the handful of features needed for adaptive cruise control and adaptive dampers. BMW will want around $65,400.
How much is a fully loaded BMW 4-Series?
The M4 starts at around $76,000, and by the time you’ve added the Competition Package, carbon-fiber seats, carbon-ceramic brakes, extra-cost paint, and a bunch of other features, it’ll run well over $100,000.
2023 BMW 4-Series Fuel Economy
The 4-Series lineup boasts a decent power-to-fuel economy ratio.
Is the BMW 4-Series good on gas?
So long as you skip the M4, it’s not bad. The 430i and M440i both rate a 3 on our scale thanks to between 25 and 28 mpg combined.
The most efficient of the bunch is the rear-drive 430i with its 25 mpg city, 34 highway, 28 combined rating from the EPA regardless of body. All-wheel drive knocks those figures to 23/33/27 mpg.
M440i models are rated at 27 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 25 mpg with all-wheel drive.
The M4 is quite thirsty. The EPA estimates it at 16 mpg city, 23 highway, 18 combined, or a touch lower with the Competition package.
