2022 BMW 4 Series

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Review

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding BMW’s naming convention over the years for their models as it has changed and adapted, but one of the more interesting introductions was the BMW 4 Series that essentially became the reference name for any two-door coupe, convertible, or four-door coupe variant of the BMW 3 Series.

In that sense there’s less history behind the name than you might expect, especially given that it’s only two generations old, but the model itself has its roots in many important part of BMW’s road and race-going history. Two door BMW 3 Series, and the BMW 4 Series, are an integral part when it comes to BMW’s sporting image.

Case in point for this is the fact that up until the E90 generation of BMW 3 Series, you could only get a full-fat true BMW M performance variant of the 3 Series as a two-door variant. Like quite nearly every BMW M model, these cars came with unique engines that were based off of BMW’s existing engine line-up, but quite literally turned up to eleven with extensive reworks and modifications to produce significantly more power.

This became a part of BMW’s identity, and while they have numerous different models wearing the BMW M badge, it is (or at least, was) the BMW M3 and M4 that best represented the brand’s performance aspirations, being the car to buy if you’re looking for the most fun you can get out of a Bavarian automobile.

As a result, there was a mild halo effect that became transferred down to having a two-door BMW 3 Series, or a BMW 4 Series. While the bodies for the BMW M variants were a little wider and a little more aggressive, having a two-door 3 Series or 4 Series was still an indication that you valued that sportier look. So popular was this image that the previous generation BMW 4 Series was even offered with in a 420i variant – far from high performance by any means.

The current generation BMW 4 Series was teased at the start of 2021-2022, eventually being launched in a singular 430i M Sport variant. The only other variant of the BMW 4 Series you can get is the full-on M4 Competition Coupe, but we cover that in a different article.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Specifications

When it comes to the more regular variants of the BMW 4 Series, there is but one model available in Malaysia for the time being. This comes in the form of the BMW 430i M Sport, which packs a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine known as the B48 – smaller brother to the B58 that we know and love in products like the BMW M340i xDrive.

The B48 makes 258 hp and 400 Nm of torque in this state of tune, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels through the ever-amazing ZF 8HP eight-speed conventional automatic transmission, offering rapid shift times in addition to impeccable manners at cruising speeds. It’s very possible that this transmission may be the last automatic transmission for longitudinal applications that the world will ever need or want, before we transition to electric vehicles wholesale.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Exterior

One cannot regard the exterior of the BMW 4 Series without noticing the exceptionally large kidney grilles up front, but beyond that there is still plenty to see and take note of. The specific variant comes with an M Sport kit from factory, which means more aggressive stylized elements like front and rear bumpers and aprons, but there are also large 19-inch alloy wheels at each corner, along with exhaust tailpipe finishers in high-gloss chrome.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Interior

On the inside of the BMW 4 Series, it isn’t altogether surprising that there is a whole breadth of similarities with the BMW 3 Series, although there are perhaps a number of elements that are a little different. The regular seat material is a cloth/Sensatec outfit, although opting for the Innovation Package trades this out for Leather Vernasca. There’s also Anthracite headliner, as well as aluminium tetragon and pearl chrome trim elements.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Safety Features

As of 2021-2022, most BMW models on the market come with many advanced driver safety systems as standard. This includes the Driving Assistant package, which adds Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, and front collision warning with brake intervention, as well as crossing traffic warning rear and rear collision prevention. There’s also a nice touch in the form of cruise control with braking functionality, and the parking assistant with reversing assist.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

There are lots of reasons to all in love with the BMW 4 Series, and significantly fewer reasons to avoid it. The most modern iteration of BMW products is arguably the most consumer oriented yet, and of course there’s the fantastic handling balance and agility that comes with a BMW product from factory.

Perhaps the only truly polarizing aspect of the BMW 4 Series is it front grille. The exceptionally large air intakes are in line with BMW’s most current design language – technically a step forward compared to the 3 Series which maintains more reasonably sized kidney grilles. This, along with the trade-off in rear legroom and space, is what would make one consider a BMW 3 Series over the BMW 4 Series.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Price

The singular variant of the BMW 4 Series goes on sale for RM 390,033.47, while taking the additional extended warranty and service package takes the price up to RRM 403,153.47 – these prices being for the 430i M Sport variant. The prices are inclusive of all current exemptions to SST that the government has in place, and is with the car on the road sans insurance.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Features

There are plenty of features that come standard with the BMW 4 Series, although the name of the game in this day and age is infotainment. As standard, buyers get BMW ConnectedDrive services inclusive of emergency call, teleservices, BMW digital key, and the intelligent personal assistant – essentially connecting the car to the outside world.

In addition to this, there is the 12.3-inch digital display in place of the instrument cluster, offering a breadth of customization to display exactly what kind of information you need or want to see at a given time. Navigation is provided as standard as well, accessible through the 10.25-inch touch screen display mounted front and centre on the dashboard. The standard car also gets a HiFi loudspeaker system.

There is, however, the additional option of an Innovation Package that adds on RM 36,000.00 to the purchase price. The instrument panel gets a Sensatec surround, but more important are the additions of BMW Laserlight headlights with high beam assistant, as well as a more comprehensive Connected Package Professional kit, and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system.

BMW 4 Series 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

Modern vehicles are capable of producing impressive performance figures while also returning great fuel consumption numbers as well. In the case of the BMW 430i M Sport, the quoted fuel consumption figure from the manufacturer is 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres, which is roughly 15.2 kilometres per litre. That being said, this fuel efficiency figure is contingent on more reserved, controlled driving as harder driving will consume a significantly higher amount of fuel as is the case with all turbocharged cars.