2019 BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series continues to occupy the company's perceived gap between its compact 3 and mid-size 5 Series models: this is where to go if you want a two-door 3 Series, a convertible or a compact four-door with a hatchback instead of a trunk, a practical configuration BMW calls a Gran Coupe.

For 2019, changes to the 4 Series are in trim only. There's a new option line called M Sport Individual that lets you combine the M Sport package with a variety of other extras.

Otherwise, all three versions of the 4 Series -- coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe -- are carried over unchanged.

All three body styles are offered with a choice of two engines. 430i models use a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder rated for 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and the 440i designation goes to a 3.0L turbo inline six-cylinder making 320 hp and 330 lb-ft.

All Gran Coupe models have BMW's xDrive AWD system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The two-door coupe has standard AWD in the 430i, but the 440i starts as a rear-driver that can be optioned to AWD. Finally, the 440i coupe is the only variant where a six-speed stick can be subbed in for the automatic, with either rear- or all-wheel drive.

The range also includes the M4 sports car, which is covered in a separate buyer's guide article.

If you're looking for 4 Series analogs from other manufacturers, they are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe, and the Audi A5, which echoes BMW in its availability as a coupe, convertible and a four-door hatch called Sportback. From Japan, there's the Lexus RC, which comes as a two-door coupe only.

The latest generation of iDrive infotainment can be configured to suit the driver's wishes and offers intelligent voice control.

An optional package brings a full digital gauge cluster that changes its appearance based on drive mode.

A wireless smartphone charging tray boosts cell reception, and a wifi hotspot supports up to 10 devices, a fun fact for a car that comfortably seats four. Apple CarPlay is an option, too.

BMW's fuel consumption estimates are 10.2/7.2 L/100 km (city/highway) for four-cylinder coupes with AWD; the convertible is nominally thirstier. Six-cylinder cars with a fixed roof and AWD are rated 11.4/7.6 L/100 km, while the RWD coupe is a little thriftier and the convertible goes a tick the other way. Finally, six-cylinder coupes with the six-speed are rated 13.0/8.5 with AWD, and 12.8/8.8 with RWD.