2025 BMW 4 Series review

When did it happen BMW 4 Series To be a really good looking car?

The buck-tooth grille drew ridicule online when it was revealed. But now, combined with its new-look headlights and our tester’s candy red finish, it creates a very sharp front end.

Coupled with its classically beautiful silhouette, subtle ducktail shape on the trunk lid and punchy details in the taillights, the updated 4 Series is as eye-catching as any other car in its price range.

The 2025 4 Series is more than just good looks. It recently received a complete internal overhaul to fit in with the wider BMW range – more screens, fewer buttons – and smaller variants are available.

Pricing has also increased.

The 4 Series doesn’t sell very well, but it’s an important car for BMW. The brand has a reputation for offering sporty two-door models derived from the more practical 3 Series, blending comfortable everyday driving with the rear-wheel-drive power that inspired the slogan “The Ultimate Driving Machine”.

The new 430i does nothing to harm that reputation.

how BMW 4 Series Compare?

View detailed breakdown BMW 4 series Compared to similarly sized vehicles.

BMW

4 series

How much does a BMW 4 Series cost?

The BMW 4 Series isn’t cheap, especially after recent price hikes. But it’s still lower than its biggest rival, the Mercedes-Benz CLE.

To find out how the BMW 4 Series compares to its competitors, use our comparison tool.

What’s the interior of the BMW 4 Series like?

The 4 Series gets the same dual-screen treatment as the wider BMW range.

The dashboard is dominated by a curved piece of glass and looks very modern, running the latest BMW operating system, although the basics will be familiar to anyone who’s driven a pre-facelift car.

In a world dominated by SUVs and crossovers, it’s refreshing to jump into a car rather than climb into it.

The 4er’s seats sit directly on the floor, giving it an old-school sporty feel, and there’s enough room for taller drivers to stretch straight out. The blend between bolsters and bolsters is excellent for a sporty daily driver.

Everything you touch feels high quality. The thick steering wheel is comfortable to hold, and the door handles and transmission tunnel are sturdy. Even the stubby pinion selector has a satisfying click, and the infotainment dials feel like turning the bezel of an expensive watch—are you taking notes, Mercedes-Benz?

There were so many layers to BMW’s new touchscreen technology when we first used it. Turning on the heated seats required three button presses – now it takes two. This is a step in the right direction; although using buttons became easier again in the final 4er.

Once you understand how the touchscreen is set up, it becomes clear that this BMW is very technologically advanced. All animations look like they’re coming from the screen, and basic features like wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity work fine.

Hey BMW The voice prompts work well, letting you fiddle with everything from the sunroof to the air conditioning, but it’s still a little weird talking to other passengers in the car.

There’s plenty of storage space, and there’s a wireless phone charger under the dash. The combination of this wireless charger and CarPlay caused my iPhone 15 Pro to get very hot and even shut down, something I’ve seen happen with other BMW models.

Rear seat space is what you’d expect from a two-door car of this size.

The front seatbacks fold forward and the base slides electrically, leaving room for kids to climb easily, although taller adults will need to do Pilates before getting into the gap.

Once you’re back there, you have a lot more legroom than you think. Headroom is naturally compromised by the coupe’s roofline, but the beautifully sculpted two-seat bench isn’t a torture chamber.

There are ISOFIX points and top tethers on both seats, although getting the child to sit on the back of the child seat requires some flexibility. Air vents and a fold-down center armrest round out the amenities.

To find out how the BMW 4 Series compares to its competitors, use our comparison tool.

What’s under the hood?

No, you can’t get a 3.0-liter inline-six. BMW long ago gave up trying to match the numbers on its badges to its engine displacement, but on paper the 2.0-liter engine in the 430i has plenty of power.

To find out how the BMW 4 Series compares to its competitors, use our comparison tool.

How does the BMW 4 Series feel like to drive?

Everything the 4 Series does has been truly improved.

Press the reflective crystal starter button and the turbocharged engine emits a soft rumble before settling into a near-silent idle. BMW is famous for its engines, and even the four-cylinder units are polished as you’d expect from an old-school inline-six.

Around town, it lives in the shadows, its sound barely rising above a whisper as the eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts from gear to gear, rarely exceeding 2500rpm.

Steering is light and direct, and the excellent surround-view camera means there’s no excuse for scraping the wheels or staining the bumpers. It can also park itself, drive out of a parking space and backtrack 50 meters if needed, so there’s no shortage of computer help here.

Ride quality is excellent on rough city streets. In Comfort mode, adaptive dampers provide a sporty yet well-insulated feel behind the steering wheel. You’ll notice potholes or sharp bumps, but they never hit the cabin.

Switching to Sport mode makes everything clearer. The steering gets heavier, the ride gets tighter, and the throttle gets sharper so smaller inputs have a bigger impact.

Set up this way, it’s an effective way to demolish country roads.

The same polish that makes the 430i a great commuter car means it’s not a hard-edged sports car, but the front end performs as you’d expect and when you get in, the car has a lovely rear-wheel drive The power of balance.

It’s not a floaty drift machine, but the way the 4er is set up is fundamentally correct, and the 2.0-liter engine is powerful despite its small displacement.

Revs build smoothly from idle with minimal turbo lag, developing into a solid mid-range thrust that squeezes you back into your seat.

It doesn’t have the massive push of the M440i’s stunning inline-six, nor the high-end of the (much more expensive) M4 Competition… but it’s an engine that doesn’t mind being pushed, and makes some pretty good noises noise.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is excellent. In Sport mode, it stays in gear longer than usual and downshifts confidently and quickly under braking. It also eliminates the need for paddles, which offer quick shifts and feel expensive.

However, it can be said that the 4 Series is most suitable as a luxury station wagon.

Noise suppression is excellent, the ride is very stable at 100 km/h and the driver assistance systems are excellently calibrated. When cruising, the engine speed is only slightly above idle speed, and when driving long distances, fuel consumption is sometimes as low as 6.0 liters/100 kilometers.

It’s a great place to spend a long time. There’s plenty of room in the trunk for golf clubs and the stereo is great…what more could you want from a GT?

What do you get?

After the latest update of the 420i Coupe was axed, the entry-level 4 Series Coupe is tested here.

BMW 420i Convertible Highlights:

• M sports package
• 19-inch M light-alloy wheels with run-flat tires
• M highlight Shadowline set, rich in content
• Wind deflector
• Keyless entry and start
• Electric seat adjustment
• Vernasca leather interior
• “Luxury” dashboard
• Hi-Fi sound system
• Professional connectivity package
• Wireless smartphone charger
• BMW curved display
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
  • 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
• DAB digital radio
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Live cockpit professionals
• heads up display
• heated steering wheel
• Adaptive M suspension
• air collar
• Driving Assistant Professional
• Parking Assistant Plus

BMW 430i Coupe adds:

• M sports brake
• Electric trunk lid
• M sports seats with lumbar support
• Electric sunroof
• Heated front seats

To find out how the BMW 4 Series compares to its competitors, use our comparison tool.

Is the BMW 4 Series safe?

Based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2019, the BMW 4 Series has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

That rating applies only to models equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, including the 430i tested here.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• autonomous emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane Keeping Assist with Active Lane Centering
• rear cross-traffic assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• reversing camera
• adaptive cruise control

How much does a BMW 4 Series cost to run?

BMW Australia offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on all its vehicles.

To find out how the BMW 4 Series compares to its competitors, use our comparison tool.

CarExpert’s take on the BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series is a talented all-rounder.

You can happily drive it every day, reveling in its refined power, high-tech cabin and comfortable ride.

It’s also beautiful inside and out, which will be enough for many buyers.

Indeed, when things get twisty, it’s still a lot of fun to drive – even though it’s not a reincarnation of the E46 3 Series Coupe – and BMW is about to come out on top with a winner.

The only question is whether you should try to dig in and experience the M440i xDrive with its loud six-cylinder engine for yourself. A more powerful engine would take the car a step further, if available.

Interested in buying a BMW 4 Series? Contact one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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