2021 BMW 4 Series Review

Name: 2021 BMW 4 Series
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $24,499 - $43,990

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Scratch beneath the surface of its ghastly front-end design, and you'll find that the 2021 BMW 4 Series is a comfortable and engaging sport coupe. Even in modestly powered 430i guise, this energetic two-door delivers punchy acceleration and playful but controllable handling. A few quirks prevent it from being perfect, but if you're looking for a well-rounded and exciting coupe, you'll find it in the 4 Series.

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Average price: $34,124

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Pros

Even the base four-cylinder engine offers responsive acceleration
Sporty handling doesn't come at the expense of ride comfort
Intuitive iDrive infotainment system
Surprisingly roomy cargo area

Cons

About that front end ...
Flat hood makes it hard to place the front edge of the car
Dynamic Handling package adds brakes that are powerful but grabby
Standard sunroof means tall drivers who don't fit are out of luck

What's new

Fully redesigned 4 Series, with more technology and power
Convertible now uses traditional soft top
Kicks off the second 4 Series generation

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

1/26/2021

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and no car embodies that spirit more than the redesigned 2021 BMW 4 Series. Essentially a two-door version of the BMW 3 Series sedan, the 4 Series coupe and convertible look sleek and sophisticated from the side and predictably sporty from the rear. Glance at the 4 Series head-on, though, and the sight of the bucktoothed grille might elicit a heave in your stomach, like watching a list of highlights from the Saw horror movie franchise. If nothing else, the 2021 4 Series might serve as an excellent case study for a new generation of car designers.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

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2021 BMW 4 Series
M440i xDrive Coupe
$38,998
great price
$3,077 below market
- 30,502 miles
- 6cyl automatic
- CarMax Burbank (2,270 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Burbank, CA
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/31 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBA13AR06MCG16147
Stock: 27593577
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2021 BMW 4 Series
430i Coupe
$30,998
good price
$1,488 below market
- 31,181 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- CarMax Dothan (702 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Dothan, AL
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
29 Combined MPG (26 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBA53AP02MCF80669
Stock: 27950506
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Being related to the 3 Series means the redesigned 2021 4 Series gains the same redesign changes of the 2019 3 Series, including more power, a stiffer chassis and new technology features. Even in its base 430i form, it's fun to drive thanks to its responsive four-cylinder engine, tight handling and well-tuned transmission. And that's before you start equipping it with all manner of available performance upgrades.

Overall, we think the 2021 BMW 4 Series is an excellent candidate if you're in the market for a sporty luxury coupe or convertible. Check out the categories of Expert Rating below for our full in-depth evaluation.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

8.0

out of 10

We drove the 2021 BMW 4 Series on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the 4 Series drive? The 4 Series packs a lot of punch even in 430i form, which is what we tested. Our test 430i coupe accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. For reference, the Lexus RC 300 took 6.2 seconds, as did the last-gen 430i. Our test car was equipped with the upgraded brakes of the Dynamic Handling package. They stopped the car from 60 mph in a very short 105 feet, but they were a bit grabby in casual real-world driving.

The steering is a little vague during truly spirited driving. It's a mild disappointment in a BMW, though the reality is that rivals aren't appreciably better in this regard. Handling is a 4 Series strength, with stable composure around tight bends and a seemingly high limit for traction control intervention. The eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly and always seems to be in the right gear, making this an easy car to live with.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the 4 Series? BMW continues to make some of the best front seats in the business. They are comfortable and feature multiple adjustments — including side bolster angle and thigh extension — that allow you to find an ideal sitting position.

Our test car had the available Dynamic Handling package, which adds adaptive suspension dampers. With it, the 4 Series' ride is surprisingly supple. If you're getting an M Sport-equipped 4 Series, the adaptive dampers are a must-have upgrade. Wind and tire noise is kept to a minimum, and the engine is quiet — a little too quiet for a sport coupe, we think.

The only real misstep is the climate system. We appreciate a tri-zone system in such a small coupe, but the automatic function bizarrely does not adjust fan speed. The sync function is also buried in a touchscreen menu. Of note: Ventilated seats are newly available, though our tester was not so equipped.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The 4 Series' cabin will be familiar to current BMW drivers but daunting to newbies. There are a lot of buttons, though most controls are grouped intuitively. There are a few puzzling layout quibbles — the charging pad is located in front of the cupholders, for example, so if you have cups in there, you can't reach your phone. The menus for the iDrive system are dense and take time to learn, but most commonly used controls are just a few clicks away.

There's decent legroom up front, but the compact dimensions and sleek roofline limit the usefulness of the rear seat. Tall drivers might have a challenge fitting perfectly up front since the standard sunroof cuts into the modest headspace.

Visibility to the sides and rear is excellent thanks to plenty of window coverage. The view out of the front is decent, but the flat hood makes placing the front of the car challenging and the sideview mirrors can modestly obstruct your view through left turns.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the 4 Series' standard features list. Wireless connectivity worked flawlessly in our test car, and you can always charge with the four USB ports and optional charging pad. The navigation system is quite helpful, even returning Yelp reviews for non-residential destinations. One problem, though: The screen displays too much map information. Major streets are highlighted even as you zoom out, so if you have traffic enabled, prepare for a sea of red, yellow and green.

The voice controls are nearly flawless in recognizing spoken addresses and point-of-interest requests. The Harman Kardon audio system is darn good and worth the modest cost, delivering full and immersive sound.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The 4 Series coupe's cargo area measures 12 cubic feet, which is a little more than rivals. You'll find a couple pockets aft of the wheelwells to secure smaller items, and remote levers easily disengage the rear seats. But you still have to go inside to pull the seatbacks down, and you might have to move the front seats forward to completely fold them. There's good storage space inside, with plenty of cupholders and cubbies, plus side-panel cutouts and cupholders for rear passengers.

Fitting a car seat will be a challenge. Lower anchors are easy to find, though the top tethers require a little fussing. The bigger obstacle is manipulating a car seat into and through the small cabin.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The rear-wheel-drive 430i coupe gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined (26 city/34 highway), making it one of the most efficient vehicles in its class. We averaged 30.5 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, proving that these estimates are achievable in the real world. We're glad to see that the four-cylinder's fantastic performance doesn't come with a penalty at the pump.

Value

8/10

Is the 4 Series a good value? The cabin of the 4 Series looks more modern and upscale than before, with metal-like trim replacing some of the old model's matte black plastic. Switches and panels have a predictably superb fit, with no squeaks or rattles to speak of. The only aspects of the interior that feel downmarket are the thinly padded armrests and hard dashboard coverings.

Pricing for the 4 Series is average for a European luxury coupe. Though others provide better value overall, the 430i's breadth of options makes it feel more tailored to the buyer.

Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty coverage is good for four years/50,000 miles. This is average among the German competition, but the Lexus RC 300's powertrain warranty is more generous. BMW is the only manufacturer in this class with free maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.

Wildcard

8/10

The 4 Series is quite fun from behind the wheel. Most drivers will be happy with the amount of power on tap even from the 430i. Though the steering doesn't live up to BMW's storied past, the controlled and nimble handling makes the 4 Series a joy to drive on serpentine roads.

Styling is subjective, but we've yet to meet a person who didn't recoil at the sight of the 4 Series' front end. Though repulsive, the swollen grille gives the 4 Series' front end a unique character, while the back end is a little derivative. Too bad, because the divisive sheetmetal disguises a capable and well-rounded sport sedan that's satisfying to drive.

2021 BMW 4 Series trim level differences

The BMW 4 Series is a two-door coupe or convertible available in four trim levels: 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i and M440i xDrive. The 430i and M440i are rear-wheel-drive, and the xDrive versions (late availability) are all-wheel-drive. Standard feature highlights include: Compare the 2021 BMW 4 Series trim levels in-depth.

Which 4 Series trim does Edmunds recommend?

BMW purists might pass over any model without an inline-six, but the base 430i is plenty quick when you pin the throttle to the floor. Going with this less powerful model frees up some budget for options, and we suggest starting with the M Sport package. It adds worthy performance bits and a body kit that helps draw attention away from the gaping maw up front. Add the available adaptive suspension dampers, and you have a well-rounded coupe with a ride and handling profile that you can customize to your liking.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$217/mo

$228/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2021 BMW 4 Series has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 7 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, ranks it #53 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average

#53 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$824/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

1.56x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

18.8%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Recalls

7 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V056000
Number of vehicles affected:: 87394
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Defect Consequence:: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

Recall Number:: 25V636000
Number of vehicles affected:: 196355
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Defect Consequence:: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are scheduled to be mailed November 14, 2025. Owners will receive a second notice as remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.

Recall Number:: 23V584000
Number of vehicles affected:: 144
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V554000
Number of vehicles affected:: 21537
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

Recall Number:: 21V176000
Number of vehicles affected:: 1850
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 430i and M440i 4 Series Convertible vehicles. In certain side-impact crashes, the head-thorax air bag may not deploy as intended.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that deploys incorrectly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: The remedy is currently being developed. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory, and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. The recall began March 9, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V096000
Number of vehicles affected:: 13858
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive Vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 20V761000
Number of vehicles affected:: 812
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Defect Consequence:: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

BMW 4 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

21 reviews

5(66%)

4(24%)

3(0%)

2(4%)

1(6%)

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2021 4 Series Features & Specs

Type:

Coupe

Trim:

430i

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$45,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$217/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 4 Series models:

Active Driving Assistant: Bundles a number of driver assistance features, including a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.
Parking Assistant Plus: Steers the vehicle into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot with minimal driver interaction.
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant: Drives and steers the vehicle at low speeds while on the highway to reduce the tedium of driving in traffic.

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2021 BMW 4 Series Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 BMW 4 Series trim level differences

Which 4 Series trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

BMW 4 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 4 Series Features & Specs

Safety

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