fbpx
Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Newspress Awards 2024 wide

Automotive Website of the Year

Automotive Website of the Year

Find an Expert Rating: 
Expert Rating

BMW 4 Series Coupé

(2020 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

75
%
A

Used car score:

72
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

81
%
A

Safety Rating:

84
%
A

Eco Rating:

63
%
B

Reliability Rating:

79
%
C

Running Costs:

50
%
D

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

75
%
A

Used car score:

72
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

81
%
A

Safety Rating:

84
%
A

Eco Rating:

63
%
B

Reliability Rating:

79
%
C

Running Costs:

50
%
D

Summary


The BMW 4 Series joined the German upmarket brand’s range in 2013 – except that it didn’t really. Before then, the two-door version of the mass-selling 3 Series was called the 3 Series Coupé. Now it’s the 4 Series Coupé – and just to confuse matters there is now a four-door 4 Series called the Gran Coupé…   

The all-new 2020 4 Series Coupé has a lower roofline and more ‘planted’ stance than its 3 Series sister but it’s the front end that divides opinions. Honest John begins its review with “if you can see past the enormous grille…” and Top Gear offers “Life’s pretty great inside the new 4, not just because you don’t have to look at it…” 

Beyond that enormous grille, the BMW scores highly with both reviewers and buyers, already selling very well. “The 4 Series manages to seamlessly combine impressive performance, attractive economy and a driver-focused quality that is hard to beat,” says Auto Express.

Most of the several petrol and diesel engine options are four-cylinder units, with all-wheel drive available on selected versions. There are also more potent M versions  and Business Car states; “The engine line-up ranges from truly impressive to absolute cracker.”

The car maintains the BMW record for on-road prowess, Autocar commenting that it is “more than good enough to cope with faster, smoother motorway surfaces, allied to handling dynamism that sets the car apart very clearly indeed.”

Praise is also widespread for the interior quality, design and practicality, The Telegraph concluding “you shouldn’t discount it as practical transport, with a good-sized boot and room enough for a couple of adults in the back.”

As of February 2024, the BMW 4 Series Coupé holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 75%. It also rates as an A in our used car rating, with a slightly lower score of 72%. This is made up of excellent media reviews and safety rating, good CO2 emissions, but poor running costs.

4 Series highlights

  • More distinctive than 3 Series sister
  • Wide choice of engines
  • Excellent road manners
  • Comfortable, high-quality interior

4 Series lowlights

  • Marmite looks, especially at front
  • No plug-in hybrid models
  • Options can drive up the final price
  • Running costs are higher than most cars

Key specifications


Body style: 2+2 coupé
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £44,180 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Autocar

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 93%
Safety assist: 72%

The safety rating for the BMW 4 Series Coupé is based on the testing conducted on the 3 Series saloon in 2019. The car scored maximum points in several of the tests and Euro NCAP also highlighted the effectiveness of the active bonnet in helping to protect pedestrians.

Eco rating


No eco rating

As of January 2024, the BMW 4 Series has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The BMW 4 Series family has a good reputation for reliability, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers all versions of the current-generation 4 Series (Convertible, Coupé and Gran Coupé) as well as the original (pre-2020) models.

The average repair bill to date has been just over £800, which is obviously a lot more than a used car warranty – so bear that in mind if you already own a BMW 4 Series or are looking at buying a used 4 Series.

The most common faults with 4 Series models to date have been engine-related. These are also the most expensive to repair, with an average bill of £2,000. Gearbox repairs are similarly expensive but, thankfully, not as common. Other faults – like suspension, fuel system, electrics and brakes – have much lower repair bills.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW 4 Series has received

2024

  • What Car? Awards – Best Coupé

2023

  • What Car? Awards – Best Coupé

2022

  • What Car? Awards – Best Coupé

2021

  • What Car? Awards – Best Coupé + Best Performance Car for Value
  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Sports Car
  • Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Executive Car

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the BMW 4 Series, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi A5 | Ford Mustang | Lexus RC | Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupé

Amongst the executive car market there are several distinctly more practical alternatives to the 4 Series Coupe, not least its sister, the seminal 3 Series. Mercedes-Benz offers its C-Class in coupe form, while Audi has the A5. But few rivals offer the distinction of the 4 Series, one of the most direct, the Lexus RC, no longer on UK sale.  

Buy a BMW 4 Series


If you’re looking to buy a new or used BMW 4 Series Coupé, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more

Cazoo 600x300

Buy a car online from your sofa.
We’ll deliver it. Find out more

Motors 600x300

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more

Lease a BMW 4 Series


If you’re looking to lease a new BMW 4 Series Coupé, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal

Carparison 600x300

Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more

Leasing-com logo

Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more

Rivervale Leasing logo 2022

Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more

LeaseLoco logo 600x300

Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more

Subscribe to a BMW 4 Series


If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (What’s a car subscription?)

Mycardirect subscriptions – 600x300

Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
Find out more

Wagonex logo 2022

Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more

Cocoon Vehicles logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more

Drive Fuze logo 600x300

Car subscriptions from Drive Fuze.
Find out more

Used car finance

Looking for an alternative to dealer finance? The Car Expert's partners can help
We Finance Any Car 400x200

Used car finance from We Finance Any Car.
Find out more

Blue Motor Finance

Used car finance from Blue Motor Finance.
Find out more

Happy Motor Finance 600x300

Used car finance from Happy Motor Finance.
Find out more

Sell your car

Do you have a car to sell? The Car Expert's partners can offer you a great price
Motorway 600x300

Get a free valuation in seconds from Motorway.
Find out more

Auto Trader logo 600x300

Get a cash offer for your car in minutes from Auto Trader.
Find out more

Carwow logo 600x300

The free, easy way to get 3,000+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car.
Find out more

Best car rankings

The top cars in every category

The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, analysing scores from 35 of the top UK motoring websites to give you a definitive rating. We're adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

This page last updated:

This page contains links to some of our commercial partners. If you click on any of those links, we may receive a commission.

The BMW 4 Series Coupé is a fine-driving two-door and scores highly with reviewers. You just need to get past that enormous grille.BMW 4 Series Coupé