BMW has had its work cut out marketing the 4 Series Gran Coupé . Being all things to all drivers all at once is a tall order.

Let us explain: the 4 Series Gran Coupé straddles many niches. BMW has combined the style of the market’s finest coupés with the comfort of a five-door saloon—and the practicality of a hatchback’s wide-opening tailgate.

It’s only natural for such a versatile car to face competition from all angles. The 4 Series Gran Coupé’s rivals include the Mercedes CLA and Audi A5 Sportback, not to mention slightly more leftfield competitors like the KIA Stinger and VW Arteon. But it holds its own, boasting a choice of two petrol engines with power outputs of 181 and 241bhp, as well as a diesel which is also available with xDrive four-wheel–drive for extra traction. And if you fancy even more oomph, you might try the range-topping six-cylinder petrol M440i.

Equipment, options and extras

Every version of the 4 Series Gran Coupé from the entry-level M Sport comes with plenty of kit as standard, including 18in alloy wheels and a fabulous infotainment system.

The M Sport Pro Edition introduces 19in alloys, sportier styling, M Adaptive Suspension, three-zone climate control, and M Sport Differential for all engines except the 420i.

Finally, the range-topping M440i is similar to the M Sport Pro Edition but adds that all-important six-cylinder engine.

Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2

As a cash buy, the 4 Series Gran Coupé is priced pretty much the same as the standard 4 Series, so it’s great value if you’re looking for that additional space. On first glance it might seem expensive compared to its competitors, but remember that the 4 Series Gran Coupé only comes with high trim levels. In other words, a Mercedes CLA or Audi A5 Sportback with equivalent equipment would set you back roughly the same.

For company car buyers we recommend the 420d: it has a low tax rate thanks to its official CO2 emissions, which are lower than for the petrol models. It’s also the most economical engine, returning over 50mpg. Bear in mind that adding the xDrive four-wheel–drive will slightly increase emissions and fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, the 420i will work out the cheapest option for anyone looking to buy on PCP finance. It’s not quite as economical as the diesel, but still manages 41mpg.

Safety and security

Euro NCAP awarded the 4 Series Gran Coupé a full five stars for safety. It comes with a raft of safety equipment as standard, including lane departure assist and automatic emergency braking. You might consider the optional Driving Assistant Professional pack (part of the Technology Plus pack), as it adds adaptive cruise control, automatic speed limit assist, a front–cross-traffic alert system, and a more advanced lane-keeping assist.

The Car Planet verdict

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is stylish, practical, and a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Loading and unloading are easy thanks to its hatchback tailgate, and the extra space will tickle the fancy of drivers seeking a coupé but who don’t want to make the usual accompanying sacrifices. And make sure to check out the M440i, one of favourites by virtue of its explosive performance on top of all that practicality.

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