2022 BMW M4 Coupe

With the new BMW M4, the brand has shifted away from the F82-generation's temperamental nature by enhancing ride comfort. Largely thanks to the benefits of BMW's CLAR modular platform, the new model has evolved into a performance car that can accommodate daily usage a bit more than before. Given the suspension is still on the stiffer side, the chassis is susceptible to bumps and potholes in the road. These are a bit more apparent to the driver and passenger if you have selected the optional carbon bucket seats, which have less padding than the standard M Sport set.

With the addition of the adaptive M suspension and M Drive modes as standard, the M4 can easily transform itself from being a daily commuter to a sharpened apex predator. Where things get a bit tricky for the driver is managing the electronically assisted steering system. While pleasantly weighty and generous on feedback, it translates a peculiar twitchy feeling on the rear axle, as we mentioned in our previous BMW M4 review. At first, this can be a little alarming because it gives the impression that the rear is losing control, so it takes a bit of time to get used to this characteristic.

Thankfully, on the xDrive model, this feeling is less noticeable because of the additional grip afforded by the front driving wheels together with a unique suspension setup and specifically tuned steering. With the removal of the lively rear-end, the M4 is transformed into a rewarding and thrilling track machine that provides the driver with immense acceleration and lateral capabilities. Although, some of the challenge is taken away by adding more grip and shortening the steering ratio. If want to add more excitement to the drive, there is the option of deactivating the front driving wheels via the Active M differential and turning off the electronic assists through the M Dynamic Mode.

The BMW M4 offers impressive acceleration characteristics which are complemented by superb braking abilities. The M Compound ventilated brakes are standard on all models which, when paired to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tire compound, delivers prompt stopping abilities, making it ideal for both daily and performance-minded driving.

The BMW M4 Coupe is a hard car to bet against, just as previous compact M products have been. The Bavarian sporting division has managed to find the perfect balance of dynamics and comfort in both the chassis and drivetrain. Now that it has the advantage of the xDrive system, the Audi RS5 is going to have a hard time keeping up. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe will also struggle but we wait in anticipation to see what the upcoming C206 generation will have to offer with its gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

If you are looking to go fast around the bends and straights, there is nothing that will do it better in this segment than the M4 Coupe. It's also one of the few German sports cars to be offered with a manual gearbox, affirming its stance as an offering that aims to appease the enthusiast market. Dialing down the aggression from the F82 M4 has also made the new generation model fit the daily driver profile more appropriately.

If your heart is still set on a V8-powered performance coupe with unruly driving characteristics, then the AMG C63 Coupe is a compelling argument. Granted, a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive option are lacking but the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission ensures a seamless delivery of power to the rears. Despite the muscular flared arches, this car also exercises more restraint in the looks department. The C63 is slightly outgunned by the base M4 with a power output of 469 hp while the S balances out with the Competition at 503 hp. A price tag of $70,650 MSRP for the C63 equates to a minor saving over the base M4, but the S's asking price of $78,250 is substantially more than the RWD Competition. This soon-to-be-replaced model will see the departure of the breathtaking M177 twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 which would make this your last opportunity to get your hands on an eight-cylinder mid-sized performance coupe from Mercedes-AMG.

Due to the overall conservative nature of the Audi brand, the RS5 Coupe has always been seen as the safer option among the German trio, but with this generation that isn't entirely the case. Like BMW, Audi made the decision to make the switch to a six-cylinder powertrain for its competitor with a drive system that is more rear-biased than before. While responsive and smooth, partially thanks to the effective eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, this powertrain is down on power compared to the base M4 at 444 hp, but it has the edge with its quattro AWD system. Now that the M4 Coupe is offered with xDrive, especially in a more powerful Competition trim, this car is going to struggle to keep up with its 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. While Audi's all-wheel-drive system is tried and tested when combined with the front and rear multi-link setup here, the RS5 struggles to translate cornering dynamics that are as sharp as what you would find in the M4 Coupe. At $75,900, it's just marginally more expensive than the RWD M4 Competition.