2018 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Review
The 4-Series Gran Coupe is a great example of BMW's ability to find a niche within a niche, this model manages to roll the attributes of a hatchback, sedan and coupe all into one offering. Happily, the end result is visually and dynamically appealing, the Gran Coupe receives minor external changes this year as well as some additional standard equipment.
What’s it like inside?
The 4-Series Gran Coupe follows the corporate interior design style found in the rest of the 3 and 4-Series range, fit and finish of the materials is exemplary and the controls and buttons feel solid and well made too. The updated iDrive layout still requires some getting used to but it now offers even more features than before.
The front seats are comfortable and although the Gran Coupe tries to be a stylish sedan with its angles rear windscreen, passengers in the back will not appreciate the limited head room compared to the 3-Series Sedan.
The hatchback liftgate however makes it easier to load larger items and that combined with the foldable rear seats do give the Gran Coupe added practicality over the sedan.
How does it drive?
Like its more traditional sedan and coupe siblings, the Gran Coupe feels sharp and responsive from behind the wheel. The standard suspension and wheels are biased towards comfort but this setup still provides for impressive handling characteristics while offering a smooth ride.
A Track Handling Package, large diameter alloys and sportier suspension are available although they do trade some of that comfort for the added handling they offer.
Steering feel is a little lacking as in most electric-assist systems and fiddling with the driver settings can firm up the steering effort if not the feedback.
What about the performance?
The BMW Gran Coupe is available as a 430i with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque or the potent 440i which comes with a 320 hp, 330 lb-ft turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6. The only available transmission is an 8-speed automatic although rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive can be had on either model.
While both engines offer strong performance, the additional grunt of the 440i imposes only a minor fuel consumption penalty and the sound of that inline-6 and potential 4.7-second 0-60 mph time when paired with xDrive is hard to resist. That said, overall weight is up by around 200 pounds over an equivalent sedan and while you may struggle to notice, this does reduce sprinting times by a few tenths.
What are my options?
The 4-Series Gran Coupe can be had in either 430i or 440i flavors, both feature 18-inch wheels, sunroof, keyless ignition, dynamic cruise control, rearview camera, 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, anthracite headliner, 6.5-inch iDrive system and LED headlights among the long list of standard features.
The 440i adds hands-free operation to the power liftgate as well as upgraded power front seats. The audio system is also upgraded from the standard 9-speaker unit to a Harman Kardon system.
A number of additional packages can be chosen on both engine options too. A Track Handling Pack offers non-run flat performance tires, M Sport brakes and adaptive M suspension while the M Sport Package allows for individualized exterior paint and wheels as well as the adaptive suspension.
The Executive Package offers additional safety items such as a head-up display, parking assistant and automatic high beams while the Premium Package offers navigation, heated front seats and the option to add Apple CarPlay functionality.
The Verdict
The BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe offers an alluring combination of hatchback practicality in a coupe-like profile with the benefit of four doors. Rear seating could be a bit more spacious but interior quality, driving dynamics and a comprehensive specification list make for a desirable choice in this sector.
