BMW 4 Series (2013-present)

BMW 4 Series prices from £11,500   Finance from £179 per month

Half of drivers say the design and style of a vehicle is crucial when choosing their next car - according to BuyaCar research - and it’s that reason alone that the BMW 4 Series Coupe exists.

With just two doors, a swooping rear roof that reduces headroom, and a higher price than the four-door BMW 3 Series, the car makes no sense from a practical perspective.

The long bonnet, curved roof and stubby boot do give it a striking - you might say pretty - shape, and it has been engineered for a sportier driving feel.

This, then, is the more exciting and frivolous version of the 3 Series, a rival to the similarly style-focused Audi A5, Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Lexus RC.

Underneath the flowing design are the same bits that make up the previous-generation BMW 3 Series, which is obvious when you get into the car, as the dashboard is virtually the same.

The 4 Series will shortly be replaced by a version that’s based on the new BMW 3 Series, but for a car that’s been on sale for six years, it stands up well. The soft materials feel expensive and the dashboard screen is quick and intuitive thanks to a rotary controller, which means you can operate the software without taking your eyes off the road.

Since it was launched, every 4 Series has been fitted with leather seats, heated front seats, parking sensors and climate control, making it more luxurious than an entry-level 3 Series, if not as cosseting as a Mercedes C-Class Coupe.

Front-seat passengers should find it easy to get comfortable, thanks to supportive seats and plenty of legroom.

It’s not as spacious in the back, where legroom is limited and headroom in short supply. However, once they’ve scrambled over the front seats to get there, a pair of adults should be reasonably comfortable for shorter journeys, particularly if they are less than 6ft tall. And there’s more room than you’ll find in an A5 or C-Class Coupe, emphasising that these cars are really not designed for more than two regular occupants.

If you are set on the looks of the 4 Series but concerned about practicality, then the 4 Series Gran Coupe could be the answer. It’s an extended version of the standard Coupe, with an extra pair of rear doors. The back seats don’t offer any extra space, though, so taller passengers in particular will be fighting to travel in the front.

It’s the occupant of the driver’s seat that BMW has focused on the most. This is a car that’s more fun to drive than the 3 Series, thanks to a sharper, more responsive feel when you turn the steering wheel. It makes the car nimble and composed in corners, while remaining comfortable on rough surfaces - particularly with the optional adapative suspension that can be adjusted for more comfort or sportiness.

All engines are powerful but the diesels are especially impressive because they feel fast, while remaining economical at the same time - even the high-powered models. Every engine has complied with current Euro 6 emissions regulations since the car was launched, so you won’t be subject to low emission zone charges. None of the engines are particularly efficient, though.

Four wheel drive (badged xDrive) is optional to increase grip when accelerating. Combined with the most powerful diesel engine, the Coupe will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, which is faster than a Porsche Boxster. Opt for the top-of-the-range M4 and you’ll cut that time to just 4.1 seconds.

An update in 2017 bright some extremely minor design changes and a few improvements to the dashboard software. The changes were so small, that it's not worth paying a great deal more for an updated model. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which enable control of apps through the dashboard screen, became optional in the previous year. 

Although the 4 Series hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP for its standard of crash safety, the 3 Series on which it’s based scored a maximum five stars.