2021 BMW 4 Series: Why it's so much more than a 3 Series coupe

The all-new BMW 4 Series has grabbed attention for its divisive styling. But it's the driving dynamics that really help it to stand out, as Rebecca Jackson discovers in this CarGurus UK review. The 420i uses a turbocharged petrol engine to deliver a strong blend of performance, refinement and economy. Could it be the perfect coupe for 2021?
Written review: www.cargurus.c...
Pros
Exceptionally good to drive, even by BMW's high standards
Superb interior quality
Brilliant infotainment system
Cons
Controversial looks, in particular the grille
Convertible sacrifices some practicality
Adaptive suspension costs extra
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#cargurusuk #bmw4 #rebeccajackson

[@BeachBumsk8]

I believe your review is spot on! Lovely!!!

[@IwillBwaiting]

Size matters I guess. The 2021 4 series is almost as big as the 7 series was in the late 80's. Weighs about the same also.

[@ianmush6278]

I mean the car is amazing but I’ll take one for the team and say that this woman is absolutely stunning

[@johnnycage3673]

If you can't stand the grill (like every normal person), don't worry, Prior Design comes for rescue. They offer 2 different front bumper models that make this car look damn fine.

[@jeffthornock8671]

Pretty sure I’m “normal” and I love the new aggressive grill design!

[@johnnycage3673]

@@jeffthornock8671 OK. Moving on. ...

[@onlyme6479]

3.48 I like the leg room

[@allans911]

Nice to see you back, looking lovely as ever.

[@lebohangmasooa2030]

I always download your videos, Rebecca! Keep on reviewing!

[@grayone321]

At last a car with individuality at a reasonable price for what you get. Like the slightly lower look, cabriolet should be good!

[@VSS1]

Nearly all reviewers remark at how the interior is better than Mercedes and Audi interiors. Strange you should say they're similar quality.

[@joebloggs4191]

Except it isn't, the BMW's quality is just a notch above the rest of them. Hence why all reviewers comment about this.

[@sundeepubhi]

Hideous grille. Ruins the car.

[@humoud6667]

911 like lol

[@BusoshokuA]

hideous

[@Darknight2011X]

Nice legs shame about the face. The car people, the car.

[@munirahmed2843]

Complete mess!! Yuk !!

[@galaman12001]

I have to admit it looks great in person, ended up loving it, blacked out grill does look much better than the standard one.

[@harleyrobertson73]

I actually don't mind the grill on this model, it sort of fits unlike other models

[@harleyrobertson73]

@a b that's what a grill is supposed to do 😄

[@v-gun9735]

Rebecca - you're wrong about the boot space, the Mercedes C Class Coupe has far less at 380 litres. The Audi does have very slightly more though.

[@VSS1]

Glad you spotted that as well.

[@shauryathakur2683]

Mat Watson from Carwow?

[@v-gun9735]

@@shauryathakur2683 What about him?

[@samibeemer7619]

Just a small correction, the 4 series comes 2nd in term of boot capacity not "no where near A5 and C coupe"

[@lpfinytdec5018]

Glamour? I've had BMWs for years but never once bought one for that. Handling balance, steering feel, those glorious straight six engines on the other hand.....

[@smallhatshatethetruth7933]

Haven't been paying attention and didn't realise Rebecca was here on this channel. Got to say, she looking rather classy in that coat.

[@berniesutton7277]

It’s not the coat that makes her classy, she just is classy

[@smallhatshatethetruth7933]

@@berniesutton7277 aye, true

[@davegale50]

I love the new 4! I am biased though as I picked up my new 440i last thursday!!!

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

The only 4 series to have 😁👍, the difference between the 440 and the poverty variants is chalk and cheese, a bmw service centre is on my walk to work and the lads there while chatting to them in the local cafe are quite blunt about the difference between the top of range and poverty spec variants, anything other than a 440 in the 4 series is considered a bit 💩, they also slate the 7’s 🤦🏻‍♂️ reliability issues, anything diesel is a just shut up 🤐 and go away and they’re quite repulsed by the 8 😬..

[@PhilYK]

@@firstnamesecondname5341 Depends tho because some of us like me are only able to get the 420i because of being a p plate driver where we cant drive anything quicker sadly.

[@JoseSilva-ep2ww]

A nice looking BMW (rarer these days)... I like the side profile, I like the rear. I don't like the front, looks like somesort of swine (a boar?). Not as bad as Lexus' though.

[@robinhosleftfoot]

Most BMW front are bad these days

[@Schwabz33]

Wheels are 19inch not 18inch - FYI

[@trustmeimaphysiologist]

I've got the 2016 420i Grande Coupe and I love it. I was thinking about switching to the new model when she comes out, but I just can't quite justify it with that grille. I'm pleased that I'm still not bored of mine or I'd be modding the new one like a chav.

[@davewatts7444]

I drive a E class coupe, the 2013 model now in my opinion the latest E class interior is better than the 4 but its marginal

[@TroyHR123]

The E class is equivalent to a 5 series/6 series. the 4 series is C class sized. the 4 series is currently a generation ahead, so hard to compare. The Mercedes C class is due a significant update, i imagine very shortly.

[@campeau29]

I bought a 420d but the chrome grill had to go. I replaced it with a matte cerulean gray version and it looks good. Very happy with it and the 50 mpg.

[@ahlapski]

If you go back ... way back, you will found the double kidney grills are even bigger than it is now. If anything, this is a tribute to BMW of old; personnally BMW has more reasons to make their grills bigger than any other car manufacturers.

[@andilezuma6469]

I love the grill so much

[@enru8413]

Stop about the grill, audi has the same grill, ford is doing it too, and honestly i like it. Look at what the car offers and see it will win all other similar models

[@Shaggy12321]

The boot it bigger than the C-Class coupe, by far

[@m-boy3154]

Grill is very huge 👍 and sport look😍

[@Shaggy12321]

"Firm suspension"? The suspension in Comfort mode is one of the comfiest i've ever felt, equal with the G20 3-series? Most reviews say its comfier than the Mercedes, and just as comfy as the Audi. I've no idea where the 'firm suspension' idea comes from at all

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

The 4 series is the 440M, otherwise it’s like sporting a comb-over on male pattern baldness, do yourself a favour and don’t bother, have some self respect and go for a different hair style (of car in this case) 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Houndzable]

Can you please review all cars, or start reading audio books…… at the risk of sounding strange. Your annunciation and voice is wonderful…..

[@patrickb827]

Gorgeous interior, but HIDEOUS nose. Laughable grill, hate it!

[@bojansalmic9811]

beautifull car. But it is good that you warned us about firm suspension-i like it soft and very comfortable.

[@seanDB1989]

Grill aside, there’s a lot of metal above the rear wheel.....it just doesn’t look right from the rear three quarter or side.

[@robertmarsh3588]

Great review ! Thank you. Lovely car but truly hate the grille. I'd planned to buy a 4 series cabrio but not sure if I will with these looks. Shame, as the interior is gorgeous and every report I've seen rates its driving characteristics. Only other negative is size. It really is big now. Perhaps a new 2021 2 series beckons but sadly there is no cabrio planned.

[@carlosmiguel4756]

This car deserves a proper 6 cylinder either diesel or petrol. Don't go for any less than that lol...

[@dianvandermerwe]

I think in this spec its beautiful, in basic spec is hideous.

[@newbeginnings8566]

wonder how much duty buyers will have to pay after 31 december?

[@mbal4052]

None

[@mdzaidmushtaque8292]

firstly I critisized that grill, but after a month it grew upon me and I think it looks really Good......

[@21KAVLAS]

I love the grill and hoping to get the 440 this September

[@wolfhorsky]

I find only one pretty object in this review... and it isn't this car... ;-)

[@goldenboy160]

the ugliest BMW i ever seen. I will never understand what BMW designers are thinking.. these types of ugly front grills will definitely reduce BMW royal customers just like me.

[@oumaniac]

This thing is going to sell like MAD.

[@wolvoman1]

5' ''4-1/2'' never forget that 1/2''

[@donlaight5943]

Getting into the rear seats takes a bit of 5'4"1/2 .

[@heneedsomemilk942]

Marry me. I have empty bottles to exchange

[@Ajajambo]

Actually this car deals with bumps better than an A5 S line. The one thing I found with the 420D M its very heavy and doesn't pull away like an A5 35 TDI does despite having more bhp. Weird

[@scringe1]

It's growing on me lol. It's awful. The classic BMW curve is gone on the rear pillar. The front grille looks like it was just stuck on. The car looks overweight like a puffer fish. BMW overshot here. Only this car in black can hide the sins somewhat but, its not enough. There is no way I could walk up to this car every morning and convince myself I made a good decision.

[@ashleyconraduk7320]

The front looks like an Alfa Romeo

[@Darthadios]

From a side or back it looks good, but that face. =/

[@joebloggs4191]

You don't see the face when you are enjoying the drive!

[@lexden1]

Not very exclusive these days.....

[@jeffthornock8671]

Love the new grills… until you put a US style license plate smack in the center! EU plates actually aren’t quite as bad, but no plate is far and away the best!

[@shnyarkurdgamer4183]

Can we get a Ford Mustang review please thanks

[@squelch079]

The grill only looks good on shadow line

[@salmanalfaraaz9616]

Your review is just as beautiful as you...

[@bauerjack1978]

It doesn’t look aggressive

[@honestmcgyver]

The wheels look bigger than 18” and the infotainment screen was large - were optional extras fitted? Or is a standard car being reviewed?

[@MrVoayer]

I think I would tolerate all the bumps and pot holes if Rebeca gave me a ride on some twisty country roads ! That's what BMW 4 is made for: twists and turns !

[@mkdavo]

Read bumper slightly different colour from body, extremely annoying for £40k car.

[@vsboy2577]

Fantastic quality car

[@silenthunter6318]

you really should stop boring us about that "huge kidney grille" that is not that huge when you see it in reality

[@mikefoerster1560]

I watched this vid just to listen to your voice. Btw, nice Whip!

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

This is a drivers car . Grille or no grille

[@GoodEvenings]

shes so cute omfgggg

[@JB-oo3cw]

I think Rebecca is a great car reviewer. Very concise, knowledgable and authoritive but she is always 5 foot 4 1/2, just for once mix it up and be 5 foot 4 and 3/4! ;-)

[@andrewpender7505]

She stood add with "heels" 5 foot 7in !!!

[@Barren-MIND]

Great review! Most informative one ive seen yet, and ive watched most of them.

[@omsval1485]

“5ft9 or 6ft”

[@David-ej1ps]

I drive the e92 which is the model that the 4 series is based on and damn,they really RUINED it... the F generation is fine and looks good and that is what I will upgrade to ..but this one is a hard pass 🙈🙈

[@stephenjones6902]

I like the shape Rebecca an improvement in my opinion

[@adama8570]

WHERE OH WHERE do you put the front number plate??????????

[@aarvin1]

This color combo is gorgeous! I dig it

[@gbthegreat]

There is a car attached to those beaver teeth! 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@holidayusa098]

The exhaust sound could be better The M340i exhaust is better

[@brettooops7663]

Stunning motor, BMW are really shining right now. Love Rebecca's reviews, honest and on point

[@AllenVisser]

love the car. great review.

[@anitawong437]

Hi your coal looks good, where can i buy >

[@siddharoodhbiradar2026]

What is the location of the video?

[@rcheliguygb]

369hp or 374 or 382

[@gannet58555]

I have a 6 series 640d Msport.....450ilbs torque 350hp 0-60 5.3 1 years tax 160.00 45-60 combined mpg. the best combo I believe

[@richardhill204]

I bought a 420D M sport Plus with tech plus pack . I like it as much as the 840D. Simply brilliant. Comfortable , fast, quiet, looks stunning ( my mate thought it was the 8 series) .... and 60mpg / 600mile range from a 65L tank .

[@packetswitch_net]

Nice one. Did you build your car? I'm struggling to find a used car with the technology plus pack? Almost all the cars only have the technology pack.

[@hlogilehlogonolo5438]

Why want a quiet car??

[@SugarTDiddy]

I like the driver, not the car!! 😜😜😜🤦🏿‍♂️🦾

[@เหมียวEnioy]

LOVE

[@roger1uk676]

Great to see rebecca on car gurus!

[@CaptainMir]

I love the way Ruby 💝 speaks

[@graememacdougall2978]

Good info

[@GadgetyMV]

BMW 4bomination. Truly hideous.

[@ekimandersom4478]

Beautiful, nice car too

[@jrs9264]

Rebecca looks and sounds terrific, as usual. The car looks like a copy of the older Hyundai Tiberon, with the kidney grill added. Whether you buy with American dollars or British pounds, it is no value for money.

[@joebloggs4191]

Yeah best buy a Hyundai for value for money! But if you want a bit style luxury driving dynamics and some prestige well............

[@onyxul]

Great review!!!

[@lash9400]

Where is the manual gearbox option? I’ve had 3 series coupes before with manuals and the lack of this option feels like a serious omission.

[@joebloggs4191]

Hardly anyone buys manuals these days hence the omission.

[@vitusyu9583]

stylish & unique, just like the host - Rebecca!

[@sanghoonlee5171]

In my home country Korea, we have a saying that perfectly describes this car: "its belly button is bigger than the belly." Or alternatively we say: "I bought a grille, and they threw in the car."

[@BHBeckenbauer]

Nice review!

[@mindofmission]

Thank you, Rebecca! The grill seems like an acquired taste, quit the departure from the old, but sometimes risk delivers unexpected reward. I prefer the nomenclature of old though, series number followed by litre designation of the engine. The overall design seems a bit lazy, a regurgitated Pontiac G6 or 8, or 2-door Nissan Altima. Falls a bit flat for a coupé of BMW’s respected caliber.

[@florinrad4647]

She's is definitely better then matt Watson, thank you for telling the truth about this new stunning BMW

[@shanjanusman9974]

Love this car

[@florinrad4647]

Stunning looking