2019 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

Navigation system now standardApple CarPlay standard (with a subscription model)Part of the first 4 Series Gran Coupe generation introduced for 2014

　　BMW has decided that no matter what you want out of a vehicle, it will make a car to fit. Small convertible? Sure. Big SUV? Check. Big SUV with a sloping roofline so it doesn't have much trunk space or rear headroom, but it looks slick? Obviously. All BMW needs now is a pickup truck.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 430i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$166/mo  for 4 Series Gran Coupe 430i

　　4 Series Gran Coupe 430i

　　430i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $44,600 MSRP430i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,600 MSRP440i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $51,000 MSRP440i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $53,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　In the case of the 2019 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, the only really objectionable thing is the name. After all, the Gran Coupe is actually a four-door hatchback with the coupelike profile. Sizewise, it's basically a 3 Series sedan, but you get some nice trim and equipment upgrades. As such, the 4 Series Gran Coupe answers the question: "What should I buy if I like the 3 Series but I don't want the expense or size of a 5 Series?"

　　The 4 Series Gran Coupe is comfortable and quiet on the road and offers a suitable amount of performance. However, rear headroom is tight, and the hatchback body offers only the smallest of cargo increases over the 3 Series sedan. If you're opting for a four-cylinder engine, the 4 Series Gran Coupe looks very similar to its lesser sibling on paper. Depending on how you look at it, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is either an incredibly obvious choice or an entirely consternating one.

　　When it launched, the Gran Coupe didn't have much in the way of direct competition, but now there are some compelling alternatives. The Audi A5 Sportback looks even sleeker and has more cargo capacity. Or you might also consider the Kia Stinger, which comes with more equipment for the price and punches above its weight class in terms of driving dynamics and quality.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.1 / 10

　　It may be the same size as a 3 Series, but the 4 Series Gran Coupe offers a little more luxury and style, along with the option of BMW's smooth six-cylinder engine. But the Gran Coupe is a few years old, and there are some newer rivals that might have more to offer buyers.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.1 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.0
Utility	6.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The 430i Gran Coupe's driving dynamics are hard to criticize but also hard to love. Acceleration is adequate but not lively, and the handling leaves you wanting more than the all-season tires can provide. But as far as sleek luxury sedans go, we certainly don't mind it.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder has decent thrust, but the Gran Coupe is a heavy load to bear. What's more, there is a significant delay between when you press the pedal and when the real power kicks in. The Gran Coupe required 6.3 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is acceptable but not quick.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　The brakes are great in both everyday traffic and in heavy braking. Pedal travel is very short and feels immediately responsive, and we didn't experience any performance degradation during spirited drives. The Gran Coupe came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet, which is a bit lengthy for the segment.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　Steering effort is variable depending on the drive mode (Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport or Sport+) with the ideal weight in Sport mode. Comfort mode is good for parking lots and freeway cruising. All modes have a good return to center, and the hefty steering wheel feels good in your hands.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The handling feels rewarding thanks to a well-tuned suspension. But our test car's tires produced lots of tire squeal around corners. They aren't designed to sustain a spirited pace for long. Stay below the tires' limits, though, and you'll enjoy your time behind the wheel.

　　

Drivability

8.5

　　The 430i is easy to drive in low-speed traffic even if throttle is a bit lazy at the onset. There's a decent amount of torque off the line and the transmission shifts are smooth. Auto stop-start remembers your settings (on or off) even after you turn off the engine.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　A quiet and soft ride on the highway is the defining characteristic of the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It's adept at keeping passengers comfortable, and the 430i does well with any kind of long freeway journey or commute. The climate control's operation is a little odd, though.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　The front seats are comfortable but a bit narrow for drivers with wide hips or shoulders. The length of the driver's bottom seat cushion can be adjusted. But even in its shortest setting, it may feel too long depending on a driver's inseam. The back seats are comfortable with decent yet firm bolstering.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　Ride comfort is especially good in the default Comfort setting. Sharp impacts are still felt but they are more than adequately softened. Sport and Sport+ modes are decidedly firmer and feel out of character. We kept it in Comfort for most of our test.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　There were no rattles or squeaks in our test car. The faint growl from the tailpipe only becomes noticeable with the windows down. Otherwise, it's a quiet cabin both in the city and on the highway. There's some minor road and wind noise, but it's less than the segment average.

　　

Climate control

7.5

　　This BMW climate control system is a strange duck. There is no way to sync the dual zones and the auto setting button doesn't alter fan speed at all. The air conditioning blows cold and the heated seats work very well on their maximum settings. But below that they leave a bit to be desired.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The Gran Coupe's interior is comfortable, with relatively easy access to the front seats and a good driving position. Rear visibility is subpar, and the sloping rear roof forces you to duck down when getting into the back seat.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　BMW's iDrive infotainment interface isn't immediately intuitive. But it's likable once you learn how it operates. Otherwise the cabin layout is simple, with most controls within reach. A few often-used buttons are hard to find at first.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　Sliding in and out of the front seat is easy because the seats are at the right height for most adults and there's no need to duck through the entry. But the high beltline and sloping rear roofline make things a bit more difficult for second-row passengers.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The driving position has plenty of adjustability. The door panel and center console armrests are placed at a comfortable height as well.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's plenty of legroom for an average-size adult, both front and rear. Front headroom is plenty adequate for a 6-footer. The rear middle seat is a bit tight, and rear headroom is limited. Even at 5-foot-8, you may be brushing your hair on the headliner.

　　

Visibility

6.5

　　The sloping rear roofline impinges upon rear visibility. The massive windshield provides a decent forward view, but the big windshield pillars and rear pillars alike create significant blind spots.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　For a car in its price range, the 430i Gran Coupe is luxurious and well-built. It has soft-touch surfaces on most of the areas of frequent contact, and our tester was devoid of any squeaks or rattles. The panel gaps are small and even, and the paint quality is top-notch.

　　

Utility

6.0

　　As a hatchback, the Gran Coupe is less utilitarian than we'd like. The cabin storage for small items is abysmal, and cargo space falls behind direct rivals. Accommodation for car seats is merely average.

　　

Small-item storage

5.0

　　A tiny center console, ultra slim and shallow door pockets, and cupholders that are only suitable for regular-size soda cans mean you'll be keeping most of your paraphernalia in your pockets.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　The Gran Coupe has 14 cubic feet of cargo space, which is just 1 cube more than the 3 Series sedan and 3.5 cubes less than the 3 Series wagon. The Audi A5 hatchback has 21 cubes behind the rear seat. A narrow opening also restricts access to loading larger items, even when the seat is down.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　Three anchor points on the back of the rear seats and two sets of LATCH points are easily visible thanks to contrasting plastic covers, but hard to squeeze your fingers into. Most child seats will fit in the back of the Gran Coupe without issue, but installation will require a bit of hunching over.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　As is typically the case, BMW's proprietary technology is a strong point. Their navigation systems, voice controls and upgraded audio system are all nearly perfect in the 4 Series, but device integration could be improved upon.

　　

Audio & navigation

9.0

　　The optional Harman Kardon audio system is superb. Sound quality, even at the highest of volumes, is undistorted and clear. Every navigation command is easily understood, and the map is on a crisp display.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.5

　　BMW's iDrive system works quickly, but it has lots of layered menus to search through. Apple CarPlay is standard but now requires a subscription. Android Auto is not available. Two USBs up front allow smartphone connectivity.

　　

Driver aids

6.5

　　: A rearview camera with an excellent display is standard, but other driver aids are optional. Our test car had the Executive package ($2,100), which added a 360-degree camera, automated parking and automatic high beams.

　　

Voice control

10.0

　　Voice controls were flawless in our test, and the prompts can be interrupted to execute your commands, which isn't the case in some systems. Song selection, navigation destination and phone commands were understood the first time, every time, thanks to the BMW system's natural language recognition.

　　

Which 4 Series Gran Coupe does zzdcar recommend?

　　For cars like the 3 Series, we think BMW's four-cylinder engine is just fine for most shoppers. But since the Gran Coupe is supposed to be a slightly more upscale car, splurging for the 440i and its inline six-cylinder engine makes sense. It offers smooth and strong power with only a minor hit to fuel economy, and you get slightly more standard equipment. Consider also getting the Executive package and Convenience package for the added safety equipment they offer.

　　

2019 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe models

　　Despite the name, the 2019 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door hatchback with a sedan profile. Two trim levels are available, 430i and 440i, with what's underneath the hood being the main distinctions. The 430i's turbocharged four-cylinder offers a compelling blend of performance and fuel economy. The 440i has a more powerful and nearly as efficient turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Both models are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (called xDrive in BMW speak). An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available.

　　The 430i is motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 258 pound-feet). Standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and foglights, automatic wipers, a sunroof, a power liftgate, power-folding and heated outside mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, power front seats, driver-seat memory settings, a 40/20/40-split rear seat, simulated leather upholstery, adjustable driving modes, and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

　　Infotainment duties are handled by an 8.8-inch central display screen with navigation, and a nine-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB port, and HD and satellite radio. Apple CarPlay is standard, with a one-year complimentary subscription.

　　You'll primarily upgrade to the 440i for its turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (322 hp, 332 lb-ft). You also get power lumbar adjustment for the front seats, proximity entry, hands-free liftgate operation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

　　Many optional packages are common to both trim levels. These include the Convenience package, which offers heated front seats along with blind-spot monitoring and adjustable lumbar support on the 430i; the Executive package, which brings adaptive headlights with automatic high-beam control, a surround-view parking camera system, automated vehicle parking and upgraded leather upholstery; and the Driving Assistance package, which offers adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and forward collision alert with low-speed automatic emergency braking. You can also up the Gran Coupe's sporting capability with the M Sport package that adds performance tires, a sport suspension (or adaptive suspension for an added fee), a sport steering wheel, more aggressive-looking front and rear styling, and the contents of the Convenience package. The Track Handling package includes non-run-flat performance tires, upgraded brakes, adaptive suspension and variable-ratio sport steering.

　　Notable stand-alone options include 19-inch wheels, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and wireless device charging.

　　

2019 4 Series Gran Coupe Highlights

Trim: 430i430i xDrive440i440i xDrive430i

　　

Base MSRP	$44,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles