This coupe balances high-octane fun with sedan practicality

Sports coupes often force buyers to choose between exhilarating performance and everyday usability, but one model in 2025 strikes a rare balance between the two. It delivers high-octane fun with sharp handling and strong acceleration, yet retains the practicality that many drivers need from a daily driver. With its four-door design and usable rear seats, it bridges the gap between performance car and sensible sedan in a way few rivals manage.

Under the hood, a potent engine and well-tuned chassis work together to provide the kind of driving dynamics that excite enthusiasts without overwhelming everyday usability. Inside, the cabin combines premium materials, intuitive technology, and comfortable seating, creating a driving experience that feels refined as well as thrilling. Whether you’re carving twisty back roads or navigating city traffic, it feels composed and engaging.

For shoppers who want a single car that can satisfy both spirited weekend drives and weekday practicality, this coupe delivers an impressive blend of performance and versatility. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice fun for functionality, and that a true driver’s car can also be a great all-around companion.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.

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BMW's 4-Series is the perfect blend of comfort, practicality, and performance It checks as many boxes as a coupe can

There is a reason that the BMW 4-Series is the most popular car in their lineup. It is easily one of the most versatile coupes on the market, while offering very few downsides. The 2+2 coupe offers comfortable environs on the inside, with a practical cargo area, and luxury features come stacked. On top of this, it offers breakneck acceleration and handling that tops its segment.

2026 BMW 4-Series pricing

Model

Starting MSRP

430i

$53,300

430i xDrive

$55,300

M440i

$67,100

M440i xDrive

$69,100

The 4-Series may not be the most affordable option in its class, but if you look close, it does still offer a lot of bang-for-your-buck. The coupe is the more affordable pick, and the one that we'd go with, but there is a convertible option for those who are willing to spend more for a drop-top. In any case, we think that this is one of the most impressive two-door cars on the market right now.

BMW offers their compact coupe in two different potencies, the 430i and the 440i. While there isn't anything wrong with the 430i, the inline-six engine under the hood of the M440i is just too enticing to pass up in our opinion. It is quite a bit more expensive, but alongside the performance upgrades it also gets things like 19-inch wheels, an upgraded rear differential, a dashboard wrapped in faux leather, and a unique M Sport suspension.

The all-wheel drive xDrive models are great, but we think coupes like this are much more enjoyable and display much more character in rear-wheel drive guise.

Warranties and maintenance Limited warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles

BMW's are not the most affordable cars to look after, particularly if something goes wrong. The German automaker makes up for this, at least to new buyers, by offering a pretty comprehensive warranty package, matching what most other high-end luxury brands do. Where they do have an edge over their competition, though, is that they offer the first three years of maintenance on the house.

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The 4-Series coupe delivers power in four-cylinder and six-cylinder form It is quick and fun regardless Credit: BMW

Something that BMW have established themselves as experts at is balancing performance and comfort. The 4-Series is capable of being an extremely competent cruiser, but put your foot down and it instantly comes alive. Whether you go with the four-cylinder engine or the inline-six, you'll be impressed with just how dynamic a car it is.

2026 BMW 4-Series performance

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six

Transmission

8-speed automatic

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

255 HP

386 HP

Torque

295 LB-FT

398 LB-FT

Driveline

RWD or AWD

RWD or AWD

0-60 MPH

5.2 seconds

3.8 seconds

Top speed

155 MPH

155 MPH

Under the hood of the 430i sits a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes a pretty reasonable amount of power. Those wanting a proper sporting car, though, may prefer the 386 horsepower turbocharged inline-six in the M440i. Both come with a slick shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and a choice of either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Both are also equipped with a mild 48-volt hybrid system.

While there are some maybe more precise two-door coupes at this price point, we think that the 4-Series aims for a more balanced experience. It tries to be a 3-Series sedan with a cooler look to it. This means an extremely comfortable ride and fantastic noise insulation. However, when you do push the 4-Series, there is a lot of space to play with before you hit its limits. It is a really well-rounded daily-driver.

Fuel economy

Model

City

Highway

Combined

430i

28 MPG

36 MPG

31 MPG

430i xDrive

27 MPG

34 MPG

30 MPG

M440i

27 MPG

34 MPG

30 MPG

M440i xDrive

26 MPG

33 MPG

29 MPG

While fuel economy isn't generally the most important factor to buyers of luxury performance coupes, we think that it's worth highlighting on the 4-Series. BMW have achieved remarkable levels of efficiency with both their four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines. The M440i is particularly outstanding, with even the all-wheel drive model still somehow capable of up to 33 miles per gallon.

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On the inside, the 4-Series is more comfortable and practical than you'd expect High-end materials, tons of tech, and plenty of space Credit: BMW

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2026 BMW 4-Series interior comfort

Front row headroom

38 inches

Front row legroom

41.8 inches

Second row headroom

39.2 inches

Second row legroom

35.2 inches

Cargo capacity

12 cubic feet

The 4-Series is still a coupe at the end of the day, but it is a more spacious coupe than you'd expect. Unlike most 2+2 coupes, there is enough room in the back seats for you to cart passengers around without too many complaints. Cargo capacity is also pretty reasonable, with it being on par with what is offered in most similarly sized sedans.

If you've been in a 3-Series sedan before, you'd be hard-pressed to spot too many differences from the cockpit of the 4-Series. Everything from the controls to the interior materials are all the same. This is, of course, a good thing, as we praise just how high the build quality feels in the 3-Series. While a little less practical, it is a little more fun.

Infotainment and technology

The 4-Series comes equipped with the same 12.3-inch digital gauge display and 14.9-inch infotainment screen that you'd find in some other BMW models. Both run BMW's iDrive 8.5 software. The German automaker does state that they have made the map interface a little more streamlined this year. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, of course, standard. Optional features like a heads-up display or a premium Harman/Kardon sound system are available.

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