BMW M4

 The base M4 is capable of giving you more fun than you'd expect and we recommend going for it. Don't forget to upgrade to the Parking Assistant package that costs an extra $700. This, in our opinion, is worth the price and upgrade.

There are several packages that add to the appeal of the new M4- Carbuzz

The BMW M4 Coupe will be available in two trims: Base and M4 Competition. The base variant starts from $71,800 while the top-end M4 Competition costs up to $78,800, without the $995 destination charge. This year, BMW adds an AWD configuration for the M4 Competition model. The M4 is now available in convertible form this year, which we have reviewed separately. 

The M4 gets all the bells and whistles as one would expect from a sports coupe. Apart from this, you also get a host of optional packages to equip more features to the stock M4. Under the M Driver's package, BMW will provide a one-day high-performance driving class and also raises the vehicle's top speed. This package costs $2,400 and is a worthy upgrade for those who want to learn professional driving. 

A $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional package is only available on the M4 Competition and it adds traffic jam assist, lane-keeping assistant, evasion aid, and emergency stop assistant. BMW also offers some noteworthy individual options for the M4. Some of the well-known options are $8,150 M carbon-ceramic brakes, $3,800 M carbon bucket seats, and many more. 

The M4's fuel economy is close to the bottom of an already somewhat thirsty class- Edmunds

The BMW M4's fuel economy is the worst in the class but it is certainly worth the sacrifice considering the performance and power that you get in return. Whether you drive the manual M4 or automatic M4 Competition, you get 16 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on a highway, and 19 MPG combined. Now that BMW's xDrive AWD system is available, the fuel economy falls down by just 1 MPG. 

That said, fuel economy may not be a concern for some buyers of this segment. The M4 gets a small fuel tank that measures 15.6 gallons and hence, it delivers just 296 miles of combined driving range, which is the least in the segment. Like its rivals, the M4 requires premium fuel. If you prioritize performance and fuel economy, the M4 should not be on the top of your shopping list. 

Among the rivals, the Mercedes-AMG E53 is the most economical in its class, thanks to EQ Boost tech. Keep in mind that it also makes the least power here. The Audi RS 5's is also better than the M4 but its range is less than other rivals. The Lexus RC F shares a similar fuel economy with the M4 but its large tank helps deliver a better driving range. 

Also Read:

• The 2024 BMW i8 M To Return as a 600 hp Sports Car

The leather sport seats are divinely comfortable and supportive- Autoblog

BMW offers the best they have when it comes to their M cars, and the M4’s interior won’t be any different. Clad with the Merino leather upholstery and dash finished in aluminum tetragon trim as standard, the cabin is undoubtedly splendid to look and feel. The chunky steering wheel feels premium to hold and has steering controls, optional carbon trim, and the two M1 and M2 red buttons which are programmable. The first thing that catches your attention inside the car is the wide and comfortable seats.

The $3,800 M carbon bucket seats are lightweight, structurally rigid, and add to the overall sporty ambiance of the interior, while the standard seats are comfortable and plush with less aggressive bolstering. The upholstery on the carbon seats is customizable and is offered in various configurations, which can be selected as per the customer's preferences. Being a coupe, it is surprisingly spacious, especially in the front, but when it comes to the rear, the coupe design eats up into the precious headroom.

The infotainment system of the M4 will include a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 10.25-inch center display. The iDrive software will also have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility features. BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant system will make sure you enjoy a hands-free experience through voice recognition, and the driver's display adds to the sporty experience with its graphics and gimmicks. The sound system certainly will be the Harman Kardon premium surround sound system with 16 speakers.

Being a coupe, the boot space is not sacrificed. The M4 offers 12 cubic feet of class-leading trunk space. You could easily stuff in two large suitcases for a weekend trip. You also get some interior storage to keep your small important items. Note that this is a coupe so in-cabin storage is reasonable but not great. Some other cabin features are:

• Multi-function leather steering wheel 
• Aluminum foot pedals
• 14-way power front heated seats
• Color-adjustable ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Hands-free power tailgate
• 10.25-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration
• 12.3-inch driver's display
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Wireless charging

Except for the grille, the M4's design is pretty typical by M standards- Motor1

The first thing you will notice of the BMW M4's exterior is that massive kidney grille along with the aggressive and sharper front bumper with BMW’s adaptive LED headlights with laser lights. Apart from the grilles, the M4’s shape and lines are a sight to behold. It looks much sharper, aerodynamic, futuristic, and quirky. The bold lines, creases, and ducts certainly convey that they aid aerodynamics on the M4. At 189.1 inches, the M4 is definitely a long car. This benefits from better in-cabin space. 

Below the well-rounded wheel arches, you will find 18/19-inch M alloy wheels that look really dope. It has a ground clearance of 4.7 inches, which is decent for a sports car. Lip spoiler, 4-inch quad exhaust pipes, and the big diffuser in the rear certainly mean business. One can easily recognize the M4 silhouette from a distance, and that’s what matters! With the optional M Carbon package, BMW provides carbon fiber trims on the front air intakes, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps, and the rear spoiler.

The short wheelbase of the Lexus RC F is the reason for its cramped second row. The Mercedes-AMG E53 is the bulkiest car in this competition and it has bigger proportions than the M4. The Audi RS 5's low ground clearance helps it to build speed despite it makes less power than the M4. Some other exterior features are given below:

• LED auto high-beam headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED adaptive taillights
• Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• Black grilles
• Black window trim
• 18, 19-inch alloy wheels
• Rear lip spoiler
• Quad exhaust chrome tips

Despite driver engagement being its primary mission, the M4 has a roster of standard and optional driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

The 2022 BMW M4 hasn't been crash-tested by agencies like the NHTSA or IIHS and hence safety ratings aren't available. The M models have extensive chassis and body enhancements when it comes to rigidity as compared to the non-M cars. This gives them an edge over regular cars when it comes to stability and strength.

When it comes to safety features and reliability, all modern BMWs have the best track record possible. The M4 comes loaded with a plethora of standard safety technologies that can reduce the risk of an accident. Optional packages such as Packing Assistance and Driver Assistance Professional packages add some more spice to the list. These include:

• Emergency Stop Assistant
• Park Distance Control
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Active Protection System
• Lane Departure Warning
• Speed Limit Information
• Rearview Camera
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Active Lane Keeping Assistant
• Traffic Jam Assistant
• Parking Assistant Plus

2022 BMW M4 vs 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe

The brand rivalry continues for both these cars too, and they give each other a tough competition altogether in every area, be it power, ride quality, interior, etc. It turns out that the only significant advantage that the M4 might have over the Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe is a cheaper price tag and a slightly larger trunk. The AMG E53 coupe, on the other hand, looks way better than the M4 and offers mild-hybrid assist for the powertrain, which translates to better fuel economy and acceleration figures.

2022 BMW M4 vs 2022 Audi RS 5 Coupe

When it comes to performance, the M4 seems to bring more things to the table with its standard RWD configuration and manual gearbox, which helps it go sideways at your will. But the Audi RS 5’s Quattro system helps it to achieve a quicker acceleration despite the disadvantage in power. This results in better fuel efficiency than the M4. Inside, the RS 5's rear legroom is slightly less but it has the best infotainment system to offer in the market. It is no surprise that BMW is catching on with its updated iDrive system.

2022 BMW M4 vs 2022 Lexus RC F 

The Lexus RC F is the most affordable sports car here and has a bigger displacement engine compared to the M4. Except for these two things, there is hardly any comparison where the M4 hasn’t beaten the RC F. The M4 has better performance, cargo space, and overall driving dynamics. The RC F offers the least rear passenger space in the segment but its fuel economy and safety aspects are similar to the M4. That said, it is very hard to suggest RC F over a much more competent M4.

Except for the eccentric grilles, the 2022 BMW M4 certainly will make a great car in every sense, be it the price tag, performance, or interior gimmicks and comfort. BMW is certainly in the right direction with their M cars, and the same shows in the M4 too. The M4 will go on to offer much more excitement and sheer performance right from the base variant, which comes with a manual transmission and RWD configuration, a rare combination these days that enthusiasts truly crave for. With the addition of the ‘Competition badge, you have a car that equally thrills you on the track just like it does on the road.