2021 BMW 4 Series

Pricing starts at $45,600 for the new 4 Series and it comes with a strong 2.0L Inline-4 which is more than adequately powerful for a base engine. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic in both the RWD as well as AWD variants. There is also an M Sport package available with the 4 Series along with some other packages as well as a truckload of optional features. The BMW 4 Series competes with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, Audi A5, Lexus RC 350. Let’s analyze the different aspects of the 4 Series and find out if it is the best option in the segment.

The BMW 4 Series comes in a single trim option in two configurations. These are the 430i and 430i xDrive. Both of the variants are identical under the hood, on the inside, and also in terms of features, the only difference is that the 430i is RWD and the 430i xDrive is an AWD model. The 430i starts at $45,600 and the 430i xDrive starts at $47,600. 

The M Sport package costs $3,800 and it adds 19" M Double-spoke bi-color wheels, an M steering wheel, Active Driving Assistant, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, and variable sport steering along with an aerodynamic body kit. Other main available packages include Convenience ($900), Premium ($3,200), and Executive ($4,400) packages. The following table depicts the standard features equipped in the BMW 4 Series-

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The BMW 430i equipped with the M Sport Package and the Dynamic Handling Package would be an ideal option. The M Sport Package adds some features which we have discussed earlier, whereas the Dynamic Handling Package comes with blue or red M Sport brake caliper options along with an M Sport Differential. Adding the Adaptive M Suspension also would be a nice option as this can stiffen up the suspension a bit delivering better handling and cornering stability.

The motor under the hood is a 2.0 L Inline-4 mated to an 8-speed shiftable automatic powering the rear or all wheels according to the chosen configuration. The engine generates 255 hp and 295 ft-lbs of maximum power and torque which is impressive for a base model’s engine. The engine and the transmission are super-efficient and do the job perfectly. The car reaches 60mph in 5.5 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 15.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. 

The traction provided by the 4 Series in corners is immense and that ensures superb stability and elevates the overall driving experience. The engine is smooth and the maximum power is delivered at a relatively lower 5000 rpm whereas the maximum torque is also available at a very lower 1,550 rpm which provides a significant boost at the lower end of the rpm spectrum. Since the power band is a bit lower, the rev band is always ready to blast and there is no lag or emptiness of power at any rpm. 

The Lexus RC 350 Coupe is the most powerful whereas the Audi A5 Coupe is the fastest. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe happens to be the slowest among the competitors. The Lexus comes with a larger and beefier V6 engine under the hood in the same price range and can deliver the maximum power at 6600 rpm which also makes it the highest revving machine among these. All of the cars in the competition are impressively handling machines and the steering response, as well as the driving dynamics, are not bad in any of the cars. However, the Audi is the fastest and the easiest to drive at higher speeds whereas the Lexus has the brawny and best sounding engine.

How good are the driving dynamics and handling of the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe?

The handling is as expected from a BMW, it feels planted both around corners as well as in straight lines. The retuned suspension is a bit on the softer side and that means the ride quality is super comfortable. Opting for the Adaptive M suspension can stiffen up the springs and provide a more engaging driving experience. Along with this, the steering has been calibrated for sportier driving dynamics. 

All in all the M430i is a plenty powerful coupe with exceptional handling. But the thing is that the suspension has been tuned for a more comfortable ride. So for a proper enthusiastic driving experience and for great stability around corners, the Adaptive M Suspension needs to be equipped. This is the only thing to be kept in mind while speccing up the 4 series. Otherwise, the 4 Series is an enthusiastic machine with superior handling and driving dynamics.

What about the braking performance of the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe?

The 2021 BMW 430i is equipped with a strong set of brakes that brings it to a stop from 70mph in a distance of 149ft. The vehicle can further be equipped with even stronger M Sport brakes by choosing the M Sport Package. The 4 Series has a relatively lower weight which also helps in stopping the car faster. All of this makes the 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe a powerful, great handling machine with incredible stopping power.

*70-0 mph

As we can see, all of the cars in the competition come with good brakes equipped. The Lexus has a comparatively better stopping distance, coming to a stop from 60mph at 115 ft which is impressive as it is the heaviest machine in the competition. The Mercedes and the Audi A5 also deliver decent braking performance and in the braking segment, all of the cars are great performers.

This also is a segment where BMW’s shine. They are so efficiently engineered that they manage to deliver an exceptional fuel economy even while being the most powerful car among the competition. In this case, the Bimmer is not the most powerful one here, but it is not a slouch either. The point is that this new 4 Series is one of the most efficient cars in the segment. It provides a fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 29 mpg. Combined with a 15.6-gallon fuel tank, it delivers a superb combined range of 452 miles. 

The BMW is the most fuel-efficient whereas the Lexus with the larger engine has the least efficiency figures. The C-Class Coupe provides the best balance of fuel economy and fuel tank capacity, delivering the best range of 469 miles. The Merc is the one that can take you the longest before a refill. The Audi which is the fastest also delivers a respectable fuel economy which makes it a great option in terms of efficiency also whereas the BMW truly dominates the fuel economy segment.

The BMW 4 Series gets a classy and elegant interior with a lot of graceful and super high-quality materials and elements all around the cabin. The interior trim can opt-in two free options which are open-pore fine wood maple and high gloss fine wood ash grey-brown trims whereas the Aluminum Tetragon trim comes as standard with the M-Sport Package. There are also some more interior trim themes on offer which can be chosen by paying extra. 

The steering wheel is a 3-spoke leather-wrapped one that is a bliss to hold on to and delivers a good amount of grip and confidence. The seats come wrapped in Black SensaTec upholstery which can be further customized in different color options whereas Vernasca Leather upholstery with contrast stitching is also available for an extra cost in various color options including shades of Mocha, Cognac, Oyster, and Black. 

The standard seats are power-adjustable with thigh support and memory function whereas extra has to be paid in order to equip heating functionality as well as lumbar support for the seats. The seats are comfortable and are not tiring in long drives. Also, being sport seats, they hold you well in the driver seat ensuring the best driving experience. As for interior space, considering the fact that this is a coupe, the space on the inside is sufficient for four people while the driver and front passenger will be more comfortable as expected. 

The BMW is the most spacious among the crowd while also providing the best cargo area. The Lexus RC 350 provides a lot of space in the front row, but seriously lacks space in the rear row. The interior quality is also high in all of the vehicles. The Audi and the BMW look the most updated in terms of interior styling and placement as well as the infotainment unit. The Mercedes has a decent infotainment unit but the Lexus RC 350’s touchscreen unit is unintuitive. Overall the 4 series is a brand new generation car that nails the interior segment also.

• Automatic three-zone climate control
• SensaTec Upholstery
• Open Pore Wood Oak Grain Trim
• 3-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Anthracite Headliner
• Power front sport seats with thigh support and memory system for driver seat
• Heated front seats and steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe’s infotainment unit?

The 2021 BMW 4 Series features the new and updated BMW Live Cockpit Plus infotainment unit with an 8.8-inch central touchscreen information display. The system functions with the BMW iDrive infotainment UI which is user-friendly and looks futuristic. The infotainment system can be upgraded to the Live Cockpit Pro system which comes with a larger 12.3" central touchscreen and a high-resolution 10.25" Control Display that shows critical information. 

As for audio, a standard audio system is a 10-speaker unit that is of great quality, but for those who need even higher quality audio, one can always opt for the available Harman Kardon audio system. All the other connectivity features including Android Auto and Apple Carplay are all present as standard. The following are the important infotainment features in the 2021 BMW 4 Series-

• Live Cockpit Plus with 8.8-inch central touchscreen information display
• HiFi Sound System with a 205-watt digital amplifier and 10 speakers
• Available Live Cockpit Pro with a 12.3" screen and a high-resolution 10.25" Control Display
• Available Harman Kardon surround sound system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration 

The most controversial and revolutionary redesign has been done with the exterior of the 4 series. Now, how to put it into words, it comes with a sort of peculiar front end. The main element in the front is the new, redesigned, huge, ugly front grille. Yes, you read that right, the grille is a ‘standout’ feature that doesn’t visually or aesthetically matches the proportions of the vehicle. Enough about the grille design, as there might be people who like it. The rest of the exterior is stunning and the sides profile, as well as the rear end, are extremely beautiful and fluidic.

The 4 Series come in 9 color options in which Alpine White and Jet Black are the standard free options while others are optional, paid colors. The standard wheels that come equipped in the 4 Series are 18” Double-spoke orbit grey wheels. However, there are various other wheel options available both as standalone options and as part of packages as well. Opting for the M Sport package makes the 4 Series look better with the aerodynamic kit and the 19" M Double-spoke bi-color wheels. 

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Audi A5, and the Lexus RC 350, all of these cars in the coupe variation are exceptionally beautiful and they look excellent in terms of exterior beauty from all sides and angles. That makes the 4 Series the least pretty one, just because of the huge grille, because otherwise, the car is good-looking. The BMW however is the most spacious and the longest while maintaining a lower weight. That makes it one of the most efficiently constructed vehicles in the segment. Following are some of the standout exterior features of the 4 Series-

• 18” Double-spoke orbit grey wheels
• 19" M Double-spoke bi-color wheels (M Sport Package)
• 19" M Double-spoke jet black/bi-color wheels (Dynamic Handling Package)
• Available Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight
• Available M Sport braked with Red or Blue calipers
• Available M Sport differential and Adaptive M suspension 

The 2021 BMW 4 Series has not yet been crash-tested or rated by NHTSA or IIHS, so these scores are not available for analysis and comparison. However, the 4 Series comes with a host of safety features that ensure a safe journey every time for all the occupants. It comes with two specific driver assistance packages as standard which are Active Guard and Active Driving Assistance both of which come with a set of safety tech. The 4 Series also comes with the Active Protection System that detects possible accidents and prepares the car for impact in order to reduce the potential damage. The following are some of the standout safety features- 

• Frontal Collision Warning
• Automatic City Collision Mitigation and Braking
• Blind Spot Detection
• Lane Departure Warning
• Speed Limit Info

BMW 4 Series Coupe vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe

The 2021 BMW 4 Series is a superior option compared to the C 300 Coupe. However, the C 300 does look better than the 4 Series. But it’s not just a matter of looks. The 4 Series is the overall better machine delivering a better performance, fuel economy, and space. The BMW also weighs less and is the newer model compared to the Mercedes-Benz. 

BMW 4 Series Coupe vs 2021 Audi A5 Coupe

The A5 Coupe is faster than the BMW while in terms of handling and driving dynamics both cars are neck to neck. The BMW however is the more spacious option, offering not just more passenger space but also better cargo room. It also provides more fuel economy while the Audi delivers more range. All of this brings us to the conclusion that both these options have their own strengths and weaknesses and the choice between them would be subjective.

BMW 4 Series Coupe vs 2021 Lexus RC 350

If you want a coupe for the price with adequate performance, great looks, and a beautiful sounding, screaming V6 under the hood, then choose the Lexus. The BMW however, is a newer, similarly powerful, more fuel-efficient, more spacious option with a smaller engine and lower redline. It also comes with a better, more intuitive, and updated infotainment unit. The BMW would be the overall better option taking all parameters into consideration. 

The 2021 BMW 4 Series is a great option in the segment and price range. It comes with a strong engine with good power outputs and impressive performance. The handling and driving dynamics are also very good along with the fuel efficiency. The car also provides a spacious and high-quality cabin with lots of luxury and comfort on offer. The infotainment unit as well the safety features in the car are also efficient and praiseworthy. The exterior beauty of the car is questionable, but keeping that aside, the 2021 BMW 4 Series is a superb option.