Cars

2025 Best Compact Luxury Car: BMW 4 Series / i4

Developing a good luxury compact car is not easy; they have to be feature-filled, luxurious, engaging to drive, and relatively affordable, given their size. This can lead to many compromises, but the 2025 BMW 4 Series and its electric i4 variant have demonstrated a benchmark-setting experience, helping it earn enough votes from our expert jury to be crowned as the Best Compact Luxury Car in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards.

There’s a lot to like with the latest 4 Series, and perhaps the most significant factor for its win this year is how versatile it is. Shoppers can choose a two-door 4 Series, a droptop cabriolet, or a four-door electric version. The coupe and convertible both feature all-wheel drive (AWD), and can be equipped with a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 386-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Pricing for the coupe ranges from around $62,000 to $76,000, while the cabriolet is about $10,000 more expensive.

The electric i4 is even more versatile for buyers, as it can be had with rear-wheel drive or AWD, with entry-level eDrive35 models offering 282 hp and up to 428 km of range. Those seeking a longer-range zero-emission option can opt for the eDrive40, which offers 335 hp and up to 512 km of range, while the AWD xDrive40 has 396 hp and 462 km of range. Those with a need for speed will want to opt for the i4 M50, which features an incredible 536 hp and 430 km of range. With its extra doors and impressive electric performance, the i4 further impresses with excellent value compared to the gas-powered models, with prices ranging from $58,000 to $84,000.

In addition to the BMW’s flexibility to fit into a wide variety of shoppers' garages, the 4 Series and i4 impressed our jurors with their performance. Gas-powered models can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, while the electric versions reduce that to 3.9 seconds. In addition to being quick in a straight line, the German car can handle corners skilfully with well-controlled body roll and plentiful grip. The heavy EV also impresses with strong braking performance. All of this combines to make the 4 Series satisfying to drive, no matter the configuration.

The 4 Series also offers a head-turning style, with an imposing grille up front, along with a sleek side profile. The cabin exhibits two bright, curved screens with a logical interface and clean but clever graphics. While the 4 Series isn’t as fancy as some other BMWs on sale today, its interior design is clean and attractive. The BMW iDrive infotainment system is a highlight of the 4 Series and i4, allowing users to control it with a touchscreen or a rotary controller on the centre console. Few vehicles get as much praise for their user-friendliness as BMWs. 

One final aspect that helps the 2025 BMW 4 Series and the i4 win its Best Compact Luxury Car award is all the safety and driver assistance features that are available. Its adaptive cruise control system works in stop-and-go traffic and there’s a lane change assist that automatically changes lanes on the highway. The BMW 4 Series and i4 also offer pedestrian and cyclist detection and can warn you of potential collisions when driving through an intersection.

Those are just some of the highlights of the 2025 BMW 4 Series and i4 that impressed our jury of more than 20 automotive experts, who considered every vehicle available in this segment before voting on the best ones. Our experts vote for cars that raise the bar so much that they would confidently recommend them to their family and friends.

This win may not seem surprising, considering that BMW is used to setting benchmarks and that the 4 Series won this award last year as well. With the 4 Series’ and i4’s combination of excellent driving dynamics, user-friendliness, style, and more, this BMW offers a well-rounded package with almost no compromises, earning its win as Best Compact Luxury Car in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards.