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BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014) Review

2016 BMW 4 Series 420d [190] xDrive M Sport 5dr Auto [Prof Media] BMW 4 Series
2016 420d [190] xDrive M Sport 5dr Auto [Prof Media]
£18,290
View BMW 4 Series cars for sale

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014) At A Glance

5/5

+Four-door with hatchback practicality. Electric tailgate as standard. Available with xDrive four-wheel drive. Impressive ride quality. Same price as 4 Series Coupe.

-Does look similar to the 3 Series from certain angles.

New prices start from £35,075
Insurance Groups are between 23–41
On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

The 4 Series Gran Coupe sees BMW branching into new territory with a four-door version of the Coupe that rivals the popular Audi A5 Sportback. BMW says it's designed as a sleeker and sportier alternative to the 3 Series saloon with features like frameless doors and an electric tailgate as standard.

Despite the extra doors, the Gran Coupe is actually the same length as the 4 Series Coupe with the same wheelbase. This means it shares 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 3 Series but more practical thanks to the hatchback opening and split folding rear seats.

The engine range follows that of the 4 Series Coupe with one addition - the 418d. This will have big appeal for company car drivers, many of whom don't have two-door coupes as an option, meaning they can now move up to a 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 - is also available on several models, including the 420d.

One of the criticisms of the 4 Series Coupe was its overly stuff ride, but BMW has changed things for the Gran Coupe and it's 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 4 Series is a near faultless car and a more desirable alternative to the 3 Series. It's certainly better than the now ageing Audi A5 Sportback with better refinement on the move. Standard equipment levels are good with leather upholstery, DAB, heated seats and the electric tailgate as standard on all models. Yet despite the extra doors, prices have been kept the same as the 4 Series Coupe.

What do owners think of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Real MPG average for a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

76%

Real MPG

24–59 mpg

MPGs submitted

396

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Reviews for BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014)'s top 3 rivals

BMW X1
4/5
Practical, spacious and good to drive. Diesel engines offer strong performance and low running costs....
Lexus IS
3/5
Sharp and modern styling. Well built and upmarket cabin. Lexus has a strong reliability record.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
3/5
More likely to attract admiring glances than a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4, even the diesel is good to drive.

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

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

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