2026 BMW 4 Series M440i xDrive

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.

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.