BMW 4 Series

On our test track, we found that the M440i xDrive’s rear-biased all-wheel-drive system is tuned to get as loose as a rear-wheel-drive car with the added safety net of all-wheel drive. It allows drivers to let the tail of the car slide out a little bit, but it immediately summons all four wheels to help pull the car out of a corner. The result is a performance car that allows even less experienced drivers to approach the car’s handling limits on the track without losing control.

Some vehicles come with drive modes that simply tweak acceleration for a moderately different driving experience, but BMW’s Comfort, Eco-Pro, Sport Plus, and Adaptive modes truly change the M440i’s character. In Comfort, it’s a supple grand tourer ready to eat up miles of highway. Eco-Pro is the right choice for efficiency in traffic; the Environmental Protection Agency rates it at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined—not bad for a sports car. Sport Plus tightens up handling and lets the engine loose for all-out power. And Adaptive blends the three other settings, depending on a driver’s preference.

You might expect a sports car to have a harsh ride—especially if it’s wearing low-profile summer tires and larger wheels like the M440i we rented had. But our testers were impressed with how absorbent its suspension proved to be. It wasn’t plush, but it wasn’t too stiff, either. Some of the credit goes to the optional Adaptive M Suspension, which adds electronically controlled rear shocks in addition to a host of other upgrades that provide superb handling without forcing occupants to deal with punishing ride quality.

There’s absolutely nothing to complain about here. Controls click into place or move in a satisfying fashion, materials have a high-quality appearance, and little extras (like a motorized device that makes the seat belt easier to reach) give the 4 Series a special feel.

Drivers and front passengers of all sizes found the seats comfortable. Visibility was good, too, largely thanks to the long side windows.

In Comfort mode the 4 Series’ interior is hushed. Put it in Sport Pro, however, and you’ll hear the throaty bellow of the inline-six coming to life whenever you press the accelerator. Our drivers found both options equally satisfying.

BMW’s complex iDrive infotainment system may have many ins and outs. But, as is the case with the driving experience, those who spend more time with this car will be rewarded with controls that become second nature over time and options that can be customized to fit individual preferences. For example, the center touch screen can also be controlled by a knob near the shifter, and the gauge cluster can be customized to show a full complement of vehicle data including detailed navigation maps, or just the basic speed and engine RPM. Android Auto compatibility is finally available, and iPhone owners can use their smartphone as a car key, thanks to BMW’s Digital Key feature.

When pulling away from full and rolling stops, we noticed just a hint of hesitation. Many newer vehicles with eight-, nine-, and 10-speed transmissions have this problems, and the 4 Series’ lag is far from pronounced, but we were hoping that BMW would’ve sorted it out. After all, the engine and transmission work so well together otherwise.

As we’ve noticed on many modern BMWs, the auto stop-start system in the 4 Series can be too eager, shutting the entire vehicle off—and not just the engine—as soon as the transmission is in Park. Stop at a drive-thru and you might have to restart the vehicle by pressing the ignition button instead of just shifting back into drive. And that Park button itself is tiny, which makes it difficult to press.