2021 BMW 4 Series vs 2022 BMW 4 Series

For the 2021 BMW 4 Series, discussions about its look frequently centered on its bold and controversial twin-kidney grille. This design element, intended to improve engine cooling, received mixed feedback. Many found it unattractive. The rest of the vehicle adhered to more conventional BMW design principles, with LED headlights and taillights as standard. The car's shape was familiar to BMW enthusiasts, apart from the prominent grille.

The aerodynamics of the new front end were noteworthy. BMW claimed a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25 for the 2021 4 Series coupe, a decrease from 0.29 in the previous model, partly due to Air Curtain intakes on the front bumper. These directed airflow around the front wheels, promoting smoother side airflow.

Despite the new design, the 4 Series maintained its fundamental platform shared with the BMW 3 Series sedan. The 2021 model was slightly longer, wider, and lower, with a slightly wider rear track. It gained 5.2 inches in length, one inch in width, and 0.4 inches in height over the 2020 model.

The interior remained consistent with recent BMW designs, presenting a clean and uncluttered cabin. Standard front sport seats featured generous side bolstering, 10-way power adjustment, and driver's memory. The optional black leather upholstery with blue contrast stitching looked impressive but didn't entirely match up to luxury car standards. The leather-wrapped "sport" steering wheel and paddle shifters contributed to the car’s sporty persona. However, the thick steering wheel felt more suitable for a bus than a sporty coupe.

Moving on to the 2022 BMW 4 Series, the base 430i offered Sport or M Sport styling options, while the M440i featured an M Performance design. This often included a blacked-out Shadowline trim treatment. Initially, only the RWD 430i and AWD M440i xDrive models were available, with AWD 430i xDrive and RWD M440i to follow later.

Our Sunset Orange 430i test car came loaded with optional paint, leather seats, a Shadowline Package, a Premium Package, a Parking Assistance Package, an M Sport Package, and a Dynamic Handling Package, bringing its price to $57,295.

The 2022 model was more aerodynamic and slightly larger than the previous 4 Series Gran Coupe but suffered from "garish" details. Key features included a long hood, a fast windshield, and a sporty roofline. However, just like the 2021 model, the grille was criticized for its large size and chrome-tipped studs, which appeared gaudy to many observers.

Unlike the previous year's version, the door handles in the 2022 model were flush-fitting, a design that led to usability issues as fingers easily slipped off when opening the door. The interior maintained simplicity and quality, featuring asymmetrical geometric shapes. Nevertheless, the 2022 4 Series had some ergonomic flaws, such as the silver electroplated climate control buttons, which were difficult to read in daytime light.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series featured two powertrain options. The 430i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque—up by 7 hp and 36 lb-ft from the previous 430i. The M440i utilized a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six generating 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, along with a 48-volt starter/generator for better fuel efficiency. Both models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Acceleration figures for the 2021 models were impressive, with the base RWD 430i coupe reaching 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, and the AWD 430i xDrive doing it in 5.3 seconds. The M440i xDrive hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. These times bested comparable models from Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. The top speeds ranged from 130 mph to 155 mph, depending on configurations. Despite these numbers, real-world driving feedback indicated some hesitance from the transmission, which often felt like it was in the wrong gear, making for less engaging acceleration.

Our test car with the optional Adaptive M Suspension and various sport-oriented packages was well-composed in corners with minimal body roll and ample grip. However, the variable sport steering lacked the direct feedback typically associated with BMW, leading to a less engaging driving experience. The engine's sound was underwhelming, reminiscent of an economy car, while the Adaptive M Suspension settings made little noticeable difference in driving dynamics. Despite a quiet interior, the ride quality didn't match the usual expectations from a performance car, making it a compromised experience.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe weighed more than 4,000 pounds in top trims but felt lighter and more agile, thanks to traditional BMW engineering. Though not as engaging as older models, it still provided plenty of driving enjoyment compared to other modern sport-luxury vehicles.

The 2022 430i RWD featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque, with power available across most of the rev range. The official 0-60 mph time was 5.8 seconds. Although a manual gearbox was unavailable, the eight-speed Sport automatic transmission was well-received, with paddle shifters and multiple driving modes, including a launch mode.

Equipped with the Driving Dynamics Control system provided Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport modes. Even though the 430i Gran Coupe was typically driven in Comfort mode, fuel economy didn't meet official estimates, partially due to a performance evaluation run. On roads like Deer Creek Canyon near Malibu, the Dynamic Handling Package shone, featuring M Sport brakes, an Adaptive M suspension, high-performance tires, and an M Sport differential.

Despite a slight hint of brake fade, our 430i Gran Coupe handled beautifully, demonstrating accurate steering, solid braking, and exceptional balance. The car’s weight distribution favored performance driving. Although the absence of a manual gearbox was felt, the automatic transmission performed admirably, allowing the driver to focus on maneuvering through twisty roads and tight curves.

In city or highway driving, the 2022 model exhibited supreme composure and ease of driving. The suspension’s lift-related shocks offered greater comfort over imperfections, though it could feel dull at regular speeds. The M Sport brakes provided excellent stopping power during spirited driving but were less smooth in everyday conditions.

In the realm of practicality, the 2021 BMW 4 Series exceeded benchmarks for a coupe, offering better front headroom and trunk space than its competitors like the Audi A5, Infiniti Q60, Lexus RC, or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The car presented more legroom in the front and rear, only trailing slightly behind the Lexus. However, rear seats in all these coupes were only suitable for children or occasional adult use. If regular passenger transportation was required, the 3 Series sedan was recommended.

The 4 Series shone for the driver, providing ample front-seat space and a cockpit logically laid out with an easily manageable infotainment touchscreen and practical storage solutions. Visibility was excellent, a notable feature distinguishing it from competitors with more restrictive side glass.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe added practicality with four doors but compromised on interior space. The low stance and restrictive roofline made entry and exit challenging, and the backseat area felt cramped, with small door openings. Power-adjustable front seats were absent, a surprising omission for a car at this price point. Multi-driver households missed the convenience of power adjustments.

Despite these limitations, the 2022 Gran Coupe offered significant cargo space, opening to a 16.6 cubic foot trunk accommodating three full-size suitcases on their sides. The foldable 40/20/40 split rear seat further enlarged cargo capacity to 45.6 cubic feet, comparable to some crossover SUVs. Though not as practical as a 3 Series Sports Wagon, it provided more cargo utility than the standard coupe.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series featured the standard BMW iDrive 7 infotainment system, equipped with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, and an instrument cluster with analog gauges and a 5.1-inch display. The optional Live Cockpit Professional included a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Our test car sported Live Cockpit Professional with highly detailed graphics and user-friendly menus. The iDrive rotary controller facilitated easy navigation, which was also operable via the touchscreen or BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Standard features encompassed wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Optional extras included a head-up display and wireless phone charging.

In the 2022 BMW 4 Series, the iDrive 7 system was praised for its streamlined operation, part of the standard Live Cockpit Professional. This comprised a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Additional controls on the center console, steering wheel functionalities, and the Intelligent Personal Assistant made the system intuitive. It also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and cloud-based navigation with over-the-air updates.

The standard 10-speaker sound system in the 2022 model was considered adequate but not exemplary for a car in its price range. More advanced sound systems and head-up displays required upgrading to the M440i model.

Safety ratings for the 2021 BMW 4 Series from NHTSA and IIHS had not yet been published at the time of its release. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and speed-limit information. However, adaptive cruise control was part of the $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional Package, comprising a sophisticated system that included traffic jam assist and steering assist for lane centering.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe offered a suite of safety features and connected services, including BMW Assist eCall, SOS Emergency Request, and enhanced automatic collision notification. Standard Active Driving Assistant covered a wide array of safety technologies, from forward-collision warning to rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims or additional packages like the Driving Assistance Professional Package added advanced features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and an emergency stop assistant. The M440i models could be equipped with Icon Adaptive LED Headlights, Back-Up Assistant technology, and a Parking Assistant Plus for enhanced convenience and safety.