2026 BMW 4 Series

Name: 2026 BMW 4 Series Review
Brand: BMW

Release Date: Available now

Estimated Price: $60,675

Ample power, agile handling and smooth, quiet comfort make the 2026 BMW 4 Series one of today's best compact luxury cars. It's even surprisingly fuel-efficient given its quickness. The beaver-teeth front end is hard to ignore, and with dozens of options, the 4 Series can get pricey fast. But drivers seeking an exciting, well-rounded coupe or convertible don't need to look any further.Read full review

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BMW 4 Series for Sale

2026 BMW 4 Series Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Powerful and fuel-efficient engines
Sporty handling doesn't come at the expense of ride comfort
Surprisingly roomy cargo area

Cons

Flat hood makes it difficult to judge the front edge of the car
Standard sunroof means tall drivers who don't fit are out of luck

What's new

No significant changes
Part of the second 4 Series generation introduced for 2021

Overview

Take the timeless blend of performance, practicality and efficiency offered in BMW's classic 3 Series sedan, lop off two doors, and you get the 2026 BMW 4 Series coupe. Similarly, lop off the roof and replace it with a power-folding top and you get the 4 Series convertible. Both coupe and convertible are becoming automotive anomalies, but the 4 Series remains a benchmark of the breed. With exquisite handling, ample thrust of up to 386 horsepower, and economy car-like fuel efficiency, the 4 Series is one of today's best-balanced cars. Just watch that you don't indulge too much in options — the quickly escalating price can make your eyes water.

Edmunds spotlight: Changes loom, but fine for now

With the 3 Series sedan due for a big update in 2026, we'd expect the 4 Series to follow with similar changes for the 2027 model year. Those changes are likely to include new styling and the return of a hybrid version, not just the mild hybrid assist complementing the current engines. For now, the 4 Series will likely carry over with minimal changes. That's OK because the 4 Series forges a sublime balance of comfort, handling and power, with turbocharged four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines that are both potent and efficient. You'll search a long time to find a six-cylinder, such as the one in the M440i, that makes nearly 400 horsepower and gets 30 mpg combined.

Competitors to consider

Small luxury coupes and convertibles like the 4 Series are an endangered species, with most automakers claiming people prefer four doors to two. With the Audi A5 and S5 discontinued last year, that leaves the new Mercedes-Benz CLE and Lexus RC. The CLE brings typical Benz elegance to this sporty coupe/convertible segment. And if you act quickly, you might grab a Lexus RC before it's retired. The RC is more than a decade old, as reflected in its cabin design and control interface, but it still offers both a V6 and a snarling V8 engine. For a more thorough analysis of the 4 Series, read our Expert Rating below.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

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 makes 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.

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 find it challenging to fit up front perfectly 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 nonresidential destinations. 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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The 4 Series' EPA-estimated fuel economy is quite good for a luxury two-door. In general, we've found that the EPA's estimates are easily achievable in real-world driving.

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 previous 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.

Which 4 Series does Edmunds recommend?

The base 430i delivers plenty of punch and performance, and it's not merely a consolation prize if you're wary of the M440i's price premium. But we think the latter's extra standard equipment makes up for most of the cost difference. Not to mention you'll get to enjoy its deep reserves of power and exhilarating exhaust note.

2026 BMW 4 Series

2026 BMW 4 Series Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Changes loom, but fine for now

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which 4 Series does Edmunds recommend?

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