BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014 – 2020) Review

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014 – 2020) At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Svelte coupe looks combine with four-door practicality in the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. It also comes with a fine range of engines.

+Four-door with hatchback practicality. Electric tailgate as standard. Available with xDrive four-wheel drive. Impressive ride quality.

-Hard to tell apart from a BMW 3 Series saloon from some angles.

New prices start from £43,095
Insurance Groups are between 23–41
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

BMW adapted the four-door coupe idea to its compact model, with the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe bridging the small divide between the BMW 3 Series saloon and BMW 4 Series Coupe. It proved a popular model, helped by its hatchback rear that put it in direct competition with the Audi A5. Superb driving manners, comfort and an excellent range of engines made the BMW appealing to many and it remains a sound used choice. Read on for our full BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe review.

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe saw the firm branching into new territory with a four-door version of the Coupe which rivals the popular Audi A5 Sportback, as well as the shapely Mercedes C-Class that also arrived in 2014.

BMW said it was a sleeker and sportier alternative to the BMW 3 Series saloon, with features like frameless doors and an electric tailgate as standard.

Despite the extra doors, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is actually the same length as the BMW 4 Series Coupe and shares the same wheelbase. This means it has the same good looks as its two-door counterpart, albeit with a higher roofline which stretches further back.

This has a big impact on interior space with impressive room in the back, even for taller passengers.

The boot is the same size as a BMW 3 Series’ but more practical thanks to the hatchback opening, which the Jaguar XE could not offer, and split folding rear seats.

The engine range follows that of the BMW 4 Series Coupe with one addition – the 418d. This had big appeal for company car drivers, many of whom didn’t have two-door coupes as an option, meaning they could move up to a BMW 4 Series.

However, the 420d is our choice as it blends strong performance with impressive economy of 60mpg, while the 435d is the stand-out engine with performance not far short of the M4.

Four-wheel-drive xDrive – a £1500 extra – was also available on several models, including the 420d.

One of the criticisms of the BMW 4 Series Coupe was its overly stiff ride, but things were changed for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, which is far more forgiving and comfortable.

Yet it still has the handling and grip you’d expect from a BMW, with a wonderful precision to all the major controls like the clutch and gearbox. It’s a great car for long distances, thanks to excellent noise insulation and supportive seats.

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a near faultless car and a more desirable alternative to the BMW 3 Series. It’s certainly better than the earlier generation of Audi A5 Sportback with superior refinement on the move.

Standard equipment levels are good with leather upholstery, DAB, heated seats and the electric tailgate on all models.

Ask Honest John

Do you think Adaptive M Sport suspension is necessary on my new BMW 440i?

"I'm looking to purchase a new BMW 440i. Please can you add some clarity to the wildly opposing views on the benefits, or not, of Adaptive M Sport suspension (£515)? All road tests in magazines say it's indispensable (because the test cars always have it fitted). The Leeds BMW dealer says they hardly ever order it for customers, nor do they put it on their own demonstrators. If I order it, I will have 19-inch wheels and runflats because I've currently got them on my BMW 435i without adaptive and I get on with it reasonably well."
We recently drove from Estepona to Hounslow, cross country on ordinary roads from Estepona to Madrid, in a new G30 BMW 530d on 20-inch wheels and 30 profile rear tyres. It had (and really needed) the adaptive suspension. I was fine, but my colleague complained of backache for weeks afterwards.
Answered by Honest John

BMW active cruise control does not detect stationary cars - is it a fault?

"I bought a new BMW 420D Gran Coupe seven months with active cruise control. The system detects the car in front and maintains a safe distance, would I thought be a useful safety feature. However, since driving the car, I've noticed that it does not detect stationary cars. For example at traffic lights or a tailback on the motorway. This is dangerous in my view. BMW say that there is nothing wrong with system and if I wanted the 'stationary' feature I need to have an additional technology pack, but my local BMW dealer in Sheffield was not aware of this. How BMW can design a radar based system which does not detect stationary cars?"
You have conventional 'Active Cruise Control' same as everything else with it. What you are asking about here is an additional feature that some cars like the Volvo XC90 T8 have. This feature automatically slows the car to a standstill, then follows the car in front if it begins to move again. Another step towards autonomous driving.
Answered by Honest John

What should I replace my A5 Sportback with?

"As my Audi A5 Sportback reaches five years old, I am thinking about a replacement before big repair bills start appearing. I have done 26,000 miles (trouble free) and want something with similar 180PS performance. What would you recommend for a quiet ride. I do most of my motoring about town with a few 500 mile round trips to visit family. I have driven Audis for my last four cars and enjoyed the ride and handling. Are there any good alternatives?"
Yes, it is time to move on. The problem is that we're on the cusp of a lot of new model and engine developments in the same class: New Jaguar XE with Ingenium 2.0 litre petrol engines, new Volvos with various single and twin turbo 2.0 litre Volvo engines, BMW engines under continuous development. You could step back a notch and go for a Mazda 6 that is better than and A5 and cheaper, but doesn't have the status. Or consider a BMW 3-Series Gran Turismo, or 4-Series GT, or 4-Series coupe, remembering that the deeper the profile of your tyres the more comfortable the car is going to be, so don't go for 19 or 20-inch wheels.
Answered by Honest John

BMW 4 series Gran Coupe - which options?

"I am sorely tempted to replace my ageing 5 series with the new 4 series Gran Coupe. Due to a lower annual mileage it'll be a petrol and probably the 420 as I'm not sure I could justify the 428 - unless you can convince me otherwise! The dilemma is which options are the best value for money... if it were your money, would you have the auto box or xDrive? And secondly would winter tyres prove more beneficial in the cold conditions than xDrive?"
Needs the high end satnav option with all the bits for your phone. As for xDrive and winter tyres v/s auto it depends where you live. How much snow do you get? xDrive definitely helps the handling, giving more front end bite. But the 8 speed auto will probably make the car more saleable. There's a bit of a mystery about the 2.0 litre 245PS '428' engine. It may have had some reliability problems. If you drive distances, then you will be better off with the diesel. BMW's 2.0 litre diesel is the most economical on the market. I averaged 63mpg over 8,000 miles through a winter in a 320dED.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014 – 2020) cost?