2020 BMW 4 Series Convertible

The classy yet somewhat sporty 4 Series Convertible is as easy to spot on the road as any BMW is, with its signature kidney grille, sharp stretched headlight housings, and sleek design emphasized by backward brushed body lines. Front fender air breathers and a black rear diffuser hint at its sporty inclination. All 4 Series Convertibles ride on 18-inch double-spoke light-alloy wheels shod with run-flat all-season tires. As standard, the Convertibles are fitted with LED headlights, foglights, and taillights, and feature a power-folding retractable hardtop with an integrated window defroster. M Sport options are also available with mode aggressive bodywork and blacked out 'Shadowline' detailing.

The hardtop BMW 4 Series Convertible is slightly more compact than most of its core rivals; compared to the Mercedes Benz C-Class Convertible's dimensions, it measures 1.8 inches shorter in length at 182.7 inches, one inch shorter in height at 54.5 inches (xDrive models stand 0.6 inches taller), and 0.6 inches slimmer at 71.9 inches in width. For such a compact car it does hold a relatively large wheelbase though, measuring 110.6 inches; the C-Class Convertible is only marginally longer at 111.8 inches. Curb weights range from 4,037 pounds in the base 430i Convertible to 4,328 lbs in the 440i xDrive Convertible. By comparison, the E-Class tips the scales at over 4,500 lbs in its beefiest convertible guise.

There are two engines used within the 4 Series lineup, a 2.0-liter turbo four-pot that makes 248 hp and 258 lb-ft, and is equipped to both 430i trims, and on 440i trims, a 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder produces 320 hp and 330 lb-ft. The six-cylinder motor is the favored option, with its potent off-the-line acceleration that remains responsive throughout. While the four-cylinder moves the 4 Series from 0 to 60 mph in an average 6.1 seconds, the six-cylinder cuts off a full second for a more enthusiastic 5.1-second sprint to sixty. The eight-speed automatic gearbox is a suitable comrade for either of the engines; it is quick, shifts smoothly, and can be switched to manual mode with the use of a pair of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Despite the six-cylinder being our preferred pick, both engines are superbly refined and characterful, but the extra weight of the convertible means the six-pot grants better performance.

While the 4 Series Convertible is no sports car, it still has some of that nature hidden beneath its metallic skin. It rides consistently with smooth and comfortable characteristics. It exhibits capable maneuverability and competent stability, be it on initial take-off or when searching for the limits of its ability. Some might even say it's too stable, too easy to drive quick but at the expense of feel and driver enjoyment. The steering is devoid of feel compared to BMWs of old, but inputs do yield sharp turn-in and accurate responses. Although most 4 Series Convertible drivers won't be pushing the car to its limits or flinging it around bends for the adrenaline rush at top speed, it is reasonably capable of doing so. Body-roll is managed suitably, and the all-season tires provide good grip where needed. The 4 Series is also an excellent long-distance traveler; along with comfy seats, its standard suspension system makes for composed, smooth rides. Most road imperfections and everyday undulations are handled with poise, though the Sport mode can stiffen up the suspension settings unnecessarily and have the ride comfort diminish considerably.

The 430i in rear-wheel-drive guise is the most fuel-efficient trim from the lineup, returning gas mileage estimates of 24/34/27 mpg city/highway/combined with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Equipping the xDrive all-wheel-drive system slightly decreases those figures to 22/32/26 mpg. With the bigger 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder, the 440i manages 22/29/24 mpg, while the xDrive variant fares the worst at 20/28/23 mpg. All models are equipped with a 15.8-gallon gas tank, which, when full, accords the 430i a maximum driving range of around 426 miles with subdued driving in mixed conditions.

Only four people can fit in the 4 Series Convertible as the center of the rear bench is occupied by a storage tray and dual cupholders. The seats themselves are, however, exceptionally comfortable; though not very sporty or supportive, the seats are nicely cushioned and feature plenty of adjustment. Room throughout the cabin is ample too, with the exception of the rear seats that lose some legroom for the inclusion of the folding hard-top. At least for those that do occupy the seats, the 4 Series is cross-country comfortable for hours on end. However, the interior aesthetic is a bit dated compared to the competition, but the layout is easy to understand - particularly for those transitioning from older BMWs - and everything is ergonomically positioned. Visibility for the driver is on-point.

Practicality is low on the priority list for cars in this segment, thus the 4 Series Convertible's 13 cubic feet of trunk room is actually pretty decent with the roof up. The Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class Convertible offer just upward of nine cubes. The BMW's trunk is good for just about a single set of golf clubs with a little room to spare for a gym bag or two. BMW convertible with the hardtop retracted, however, that room is split into less usable segments with awkward accessibility compared to a conventional soft-top design.

Inside the cabin, there are decently wide door side pockets with integrated bottle slots, a moderately sized center armrest console, a typically sized passenger-side glove box, two cupholders in the rear, along with a small storage tray.

All 4 Series Convertibles comes outfitted as standard with an engine start/stop button, a leather-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel, a tilt and telescoping steering column, ten-way power-adjustable front sport seats, single-zone automatic climate control, a universal garage door opener, ambient interior lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. With the 2020 refresh, all models also come standard with lane departure warning, pedestrian detection with partial braking, frontal collision warning with brake prefill, city collision mitigation with partial braking, dynamic cruise control, and a rearview camera. 440i models get keyless entry with multi-function remote control additionally. The increase in price from 430i models to 440i models pertains mostly to the upgraded powertrain and cosmetic enhancements, so the difference in feature specs is negligible.

Delivering infotainment in 430i models is an 8.8-inch high-resolution touchscreen system that comes with a 200 GB hard drive and 20 GB storage for audio files. The system is tethered to an anti-theft AM/FM in-dash stereo CD/MP3 player with HD radio connectivity, linked to a nine-speaker sound system, and includes the functionality of navigation, voice command, and Bluetooth audio streaming. Apple CarPlay is equipped but is available only on a subscription basis, while Android Auto is still absent. Upper-tier 440i models are fitted with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system. BMW's latest iDrive infotainment software is one of the better systems available, offering crisp images, a user-friendly interface, and smooth responses.

Early into its yearly cycle, BMW issued a recall for certain 2019 and 2020 4 Series models due to faulty knee airbags which would potentially deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of an injury. J.D. Power has not yet conducted a review of the 2020 year model 4 Series Convertible for predicted reliability, but the 2019 BMW 4 Series as a range received a four out of five, above-average rating, which can be expected to carry over. Additionally, BMW USA covers the vehicle with a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, along with four years of roadside assistance.

BMW doesn't sell enough BMW 4 Series Convertibles to warrant review from either the NHTSA or the IIHS. However, with lane departure warning, pedestrian warning with partial braking, frontal collision warning with brake prefill, and city collision mitigation with partial braking made standard for the new model year, as well as the already stock front and rear park assists, dynamic cruise control, and rearview camera, high levels of safety are expected from the 4 Series. Six airbags are present in the form of dual-front, front side, and front knee airbags.

The 2020 BMW 4 Series Convertible is a good car; both trim lines come equipped with great powertrain configurations that are powerful yet economical, responsive and energetic. The Convertible exhibits capable performance and handling dynamics in almost all conditions, without sacrificing its ride quality - which is exceptional. It's faster than many of its competitors and pays a minimal penalty in the handling department for the loss of the roof. Not all is dandy in the 4 Series, however, and some of the 4 Series's letdowns include the exclusion of Android Auto and the fact that the Apple CarPlay functionality is based on a subscription service, where rivals offer inclusive compatibility off the bat. The interior gives off a slightly dated impression as well, and the retractable hardtop severely depletes trunk room; a conventional soft-top would have sufficed, without the major compromise in practicality. Before opting for the 4 Series Convertible, consider some other options available on the US market for greater levels of value, offered at lower prices.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible is around $8,000 more than the Coupe variant and is relatively expensive compared to how much its rivals cost. The base 430i model carries a base price of $53,100, the 440i with an MSRP of $60,150, that's around only $150 more than the prior model year. Their respective xDrive variations cost an additional $2,000 each. Those prices are excluding BMW's destination charge of $995 as well as any tax, registration, or licensing fees. A fully-loaded 440i xDrive model can easily up the base price to near the $80,000 mark.

We suggest opting for the 440i trim line purely for the more powerful 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder engine, which, while more potent than the four-cylinder engine, is also not too much worse off in the way of fuel economy. The soundtrack from the six-pot is a lot more pleasing than the four-cylinder, and just delivers slightly more of a visceral feel while dealing with the extra weight of the convertible better. This model also comes with the premium Harmon Kardon sound system as well as with Comfort Access keyless entry, and multi-function remote control, which allows the driver to remotely operate many of the Convertible's electronic functions. Depending on what kind of conditions you find yourself driving in, you won't be sorry for opting for either of the drivetrains. The xDrive system is excellent and significantly improves stability and grip, especially good for adverse weather conditions.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is significantly more expensive than the BMW 4 Series Convertible, costing around $10,000 more than the 440i line. It does, however, come stock-equipped with a more powerful twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, which kicks out 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. Nevertheless, even with that extra power, the E-Class accelerates from 0-60 mph in an identical 5.1 seconds while it is slightly less fuel economical, returning 20/27/23 mpg on the EPA drive cycles. The E-Class is also far less practical than the 4 Series, even though it's far larger, it offers a meager 9.5 cubic feet of trunk room - almost four cubes less than the 4 Series, although with a soft-top that space is more usable and easier to access. Where the E-Class does dominate is in its far more modern interior design, with its dual 12.3-inch high-res displays. It also comes with more luxury-focused features too, as well as both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, without the need for a subscription. The 4 Series is the better driver's vehicle, but with the E-Class' focus on luxury, it's the better all-rounder as a lifestyle vehicle.

For around $2,000 less than the 4 Series, buyers can opt for the Audi A5 Cabriolet which also comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with the same outputs. This is the only engine option for the A5, however, which means its 0-60 mph time of six seconds will be easily beaten by the 4 Series 440i's setup. The BMW's bigger engine is effectively countered by the Audi S5 though. With a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission the A5's powertrain performs not much more economically than the 4 Series, returning 23/34/27 mpg. The A5 possesses a more contemporary interior than the 4 Series, and its virtual cockpit is a true technological marvel. There's more room too, and better creature-comforts overall; the infotainment setup is superior, and the standard safety suite a lot more appealing. The Audi A5 is just a little better than the 4 Series in almost every regard, and at its price point, definitely, the better value for money buy.