BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe (2021-2025): Elegance, Everyday Smarts, And A Bit Of Mischief
I’ve spent enough miles in the BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe to know this much: it’s the car that convinces your head and your heart to shake hands. On a wet Tuesday commute it’s quiet and calm; on a Saturday backroad it wakes up. The big grille? You stop noticing after a week. The way the hatch swallows a stroller, two duffels, and the dog bed? You notice that every day.
Officially, we’re talking about the BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe—built from 2021 to 2025—a four-door “coupe” with a tidy roofline and a practical liftback. The internal code you’ll see enthusiasts throw around is “G26,” because BMW. Underneath the sleek suit, it shares bones with the 3 Series and even its EV sibling, the i4. Different mission, familiar magic.
BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe: What It Is And Why It Sticks
The G26 Gran Coupe takes the core of the 4 Series and stretches it into a fastback hatch. It’s lower and a touch longer than a 3 Series, with frameless doors and just enough drama to feel special in a sea of sensible sedans. The cabin’s classic BMW: low seating position, straight-ahead visibility, thick-rim wheel. In 2023, the Gran Coupe picked up BMW’s Curved Display and iDrive 8—more on that in a second.
BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe: How It Drives (Spoiler—Beautifully)
I noticed right away how the G26 balances grip and glide. The 430i’s 2.0-liter turbo four (255 hp, 295 lb-ft) is plenty for the daily grind—0–60 mph in the mid-fives with xDrive—while the M440i’s 3.0-liter turbo inline-six (382 hp, 369 lb-ft, with a 48V mild-hybrid nudge) is the one that makes you take the long route home. Figure roughly 4.4 seconds to 60 mph in the M440i xDrive, and it feels every bit that quick when you punch it past a dawdler.
The eight-speed automatic is the adult in the room—always in the right gear, quick to snap down when you ask. Steering is light but accurate; the car goes where your eyes do. On rough roads, the optional adaptive dampers are worth their keep. With the standard M Sport suspension and 19s (or 20s), there’s a bit of head-toss over sharp hits—run-flats don’t help—but on a flowing road it settles into a rhythm. It’s confident, not crashy.
- Engines: 2.0L turbo I4 (255 hp), 3.0L turbo I6 (382 hp)
- 0–60 mph: ~5.3–5.8 sec (430i); ~4.4 sec (M440i xDrive)
- Drivetrains: RWD or xDrive AWD
- Real-world economy: mid-to-high 20s mpg mixed in the 430i; low-to-mid 20s in the M440i if you behave (I rarely did)
BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe: Cabin And Tech That Feel Properly Premium
Slip inside the BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe and the first thing you clock is the driving position—low, legs out, like you’re wearing the car. Materials are top-shelf, even on base trims. The M Sport seats hug without pinching, though wider-shouldered friends may prefer the standard chairs.
Tech-wise, early cars used iDrive 7; from 2023, you get the Curved Display with iDrive 8 (12.3-inch cluster, 14.9-inch touchscreen). It’s sharp and snappy, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The gripe? Some climate controls live in the screen. It’s fine after a week, but the first few days had me doing unnecessary taps. Driver assists—Adaptive Cruise with lane centering, Blind Spot, Rear Cross Traffic, Parking Assistant—are polished and non-intrusive, which is exactly how they should be.
BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe: Practicality, Ownership, And The Stuff You Touch Daily
The Gran Coupe part isn’t a gimmick. The hatch opens wide, the load floor is low, and the boot is generous (think ~16.6 cu ft seats up; wagon-like when folded). I’ve hauled a flat-pack bookcase and a week’s worth of family luggage without creative geometry. Rear space is adult-friendly for legs; very tall passengers will brush the headliner because, well, “coupe.”
- 40/20/40 split-fold rear seats (skis or stroller down the middle—weekend solved)
- Quiet at highway speeds—quiet enough to hear your kids arguing about who touched the iPad
- Frameless doors add drama; frameless windows add a tiny bit of wind rustle if a seal isn’t perfect (mine was fine)
Protecting Your G26’s Cabin: Custom Floor Mats That Actually Fit
Small thing, big difference: good floor mats. Especially if you do snow trips or beach runs. AutoWin offers custom-fit sets for the G26 that clip in, don’t slide, and take the abuse so your carpets don’t have to. I tossed a sandy set in the trunk after a surf morning—hose, shake, back in. Done.
BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe vs Rivals: Where It Lands
| Model | Power (hp) | 0–60 mph (sec) | Drivetrain | Cargo (cu ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe | 255–382 | ~5.3–4.4 | RWD/AWD | ~16.6 (rear seats up) |
| Audi A5 Sportback | 201–349 | ~6.3–4.4 | AWD | ~21.8 |
| Tesla Model 3 | Up to ~455 (est.) | ~4.2–3.1 | RWD/AWD (EV) | ~23 (incl. frunk) |
| Kia Stinger GT (discontinued) | 300–368 | ~5.2–4.7 | RWD/AWD | ~23.3 |
Figures are manufacturer claims and typical independent tests; equipment, tires, and conditions vary.
Highlights I’d Brag About
- Inline-six M440i is a gem—silky, punchy, and sings when you lean on it
- Hatchback practicality with a coupe silhouette—date night on Friday, Ikea on Sunday
- Refined highway ride and a planted feel at speed
- iDrive 8 is fast; wireless CarPlay/Android Auto just works
- Strong driver assists that don’t try to parent you
Quirks Worth Knowing
- Some climate functions live in the screen (two taps where a knob used to be)
- Ride on 20-inch wheels with run-flats can feel busy on broken pavement
- Tall rear passengers may graze the roofliner—coupes will coupe
- That signature kidney grille feeds real cooling; it’s not just a face.
- Coefficient of drag hovers around the mid-0.2s, helping with efficiency and cabin hush.
- Available adaptive dampers can read the road and relax on long highway slogs.
Conclusion: The BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe Nails The Brief
As luxury four-doors go, the BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe is the sweet spot between style and sense. It’s quick when you want, calm when you need, and practical enough that you don’t need a second car for family duty. If you’re already in one, protect the cabin with proper mats from AutoWin and enjoy the miles. If you’re shopping, take the M440i xDrive for a spin—just to see what a great inline-six feels like in 2025.
FAQ: BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe
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What does “G26” mean on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe?
The “G26” tag is BMW’s internal chassis code for the 2021–2025 4 Series Gran Coupe. It helps differentiate it from other BMW platforms. -
Is the BMW 4 Series G26 Gran Coupe a hatchback?
Yes—disguised as a coupe. The rear lifts as a hatch, making it far more practical than a traditional trunk. -
Which engine should I get: 430i or M440i?
The 430i is efficient and quick enough for daily life. The M440i is the enthusiast’s pick—silky power, big torque, and real character. -
What kind of real-world fuel economy can I expect?
430i drivers typically see mid-to-high 20s mpg in mixed use; M440i owners are usually in the low-to-mid 20s if they resist full-throttle temptation. -
Does the G26 come as an EV?
The gasoline G26 Gran Coupe itself is not electric, but the BMW i4—built on the same body—gives you the EV experience with the same shape.
