BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2014-present)

On paper, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is one of those peculiar cars that, by all accounts, shouldn’t work. Think about it: it’s a five-door version of a two-door car that’s based on a four-door car. But don’t let any of that confuse you because the Gran Coupe is actually surprisingly good.

The point of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, in BMW’s view, is to give drivers some of the style of a two-door coupe with some of the practicality of a four-door saloon. This is packaged up in a five-door body, which means you get the added versatility that a hatchback brings over a saloon.

Prices start from less than £35,000 and stretch to more than £50,000 for a range encompassing a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines and throwing in the option of BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system. BMW has kept it simple  with just two trim levels – Sport or M Sport. Used prices on Buyacar begin at £13,999 rising to £44,071.

Other options within that price range include the Audi A5 Sportback and the Volkswagen Arteon. You could also consider the slightly larger, and more expensive Mercedes CLS, or there’s any number of saloons and coupes to weigh up, from the more compact Jaguar XE to the stylish Mercedes C-Class Coupe.

Before going any further, it’s important to note that the 4 Series Gran Coupe is soon to be succeeded by a new generation model. The current car is based on the previous-generation 3 Series, and dates back to 2013, although it did recieve a facelift in 2017. So if you’d prefer to wait for its replacement, contact your BMW dealer to register your interest. Alternatively, canny buyers could use it as a way to haggle on the price of a current model.

Because it’s based on the previous 3 Series, the design of the interior is starting to show its age. The build quality and way it feels well screwed together can’t be faulted, but stylistically it’s all looking a bit long in the tooth.

The majority of the car’s features are controlled through BMW’s iDrive. It’s one of the more intuitive systems on the market, operated through a combination of a 6.5-inch touchscreen display jutting from the top of the dashboard and a rotary wheel that’s behind the gearstick. A head-up display is optional as part of a technology pack, and M Sport models get a larger touchscreen.

You get comfortable front seats, while the driving position and level of space on offer are also good. This is a car that is going to keep you comfortable during long spells behind the wheel, especially when you consider that it’s quiet too.

It's a different story for those sat in the back. First, you need to get in and the sloping roof coupled with a severe lack of space between the front seats and the back seats makes it a bit of a squeeze – compared with a 3 Series saloon or estate. It’s comfortable enough once you're in though, and there is a pair of Isofix mounts for securing child seats.

Because the boot opens like a hatchback, the Gran Coupe is surprisingly practical. It offers 480-litres of luggage space, which is the same as an Audi A5 Sportback but some way behind the 563-litres of the VW Arteon. The back seats divide 60:40 and fold down to expand the car’s carrying capacity.

Compared with the Audi and Volkswagen, however, the 4 Series Gran Coupe feels more responsive on the road. The steering is accurate and precise while the suspension feels well-measured, giving the whole experience of driving satisfyingly composed feel.

Four-wheel drive (xDrive) is available as an option with the 420i petrol model and the 420d and 430d diesel variants, and is fitted as standard to the 435d. It’s one of the best four-wheel drive systems going, as it retains the car’s sporty feel while providing sure-footed behaviour on slippery surfaces.

All the engines on offer 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 either.