2025 BMW M4

A successor to the highly-prized M3 coupes of old, the 2025 BMW M4 is a fine representation of what happens when the M division turns its attention and engineering expertise to an already excellent BMW vehicle — in this case, the 4 Series. Anyone who considers themselves a driving enthusiast should have one of these in their multi-car garage.

Competition xDrive versions gain an extra 20 horsepower for a muscular total of 523 horses. The infotainment system has been updated, and there have been some minor exterior tweaks. This generation of 4 Series launched for the 2021 model year, so everything is still quite fresh.

Unsurprisingly for an enthusiast machine, Competition versions of the M4 — the ones with the most power — are popular. So who are we to recommend otherwise?

The Mercedes-AMG CLE is an obvious rival, because it’s also available in coupe or convertible (aka cabriolet). It starts a little below the M4. If four doors are acceptable, the BMW M3 also comes in just under the M4’s price. The aging Audi RS 5 Sportback is priced similarly, while the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a relative bargain.

Before buying a new M4 Coupe or Convertible, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The quickest M4 is the 523-horsepower Competition Coupe with xDrive all-wheel drive, which can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds. At its entry level, the M4 comes with a perfectly respectable 473 hp, enabling a rapid sprint time of 4.1 seconds. To compare, the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 has 443 horses and hits 60 mph 0.1 of a second sooner — we’ll attribute this to the extra traction from a standard all-wheel drive system.

Purists demanding a manual transmission will want the base M4. Competition versions come exclusively with an 8-speed automatic. An adaptive M-tuned suspension is standard across the lineup, with a choice of settings from pliable to sporty. Whenever we’ve driven a BMW M car, we’ve always been impressed by how well-judged everything is, making it perfectly acceptable for daily drives as well as the perhaps less frequent canyon-road thrill.

Fuel Economy

Rear-wheel-drive versions of the M4 achieve about 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Subtract one mile per gallon when all-wheel drive is in the mix. BMW engines are often the most efficient of their classes, but not this time. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe manages 23 mpg combined.

Sport seats up front provide plenty of support, holding their occupants snugly through fast corners. We’ve found this adds to a greater sense of confidence, which is also enhanced by intelligent ergonomics. Not that the 2025 M4 is focused purely on performance. There’s still fine leather upholstery as standard, plus a lot of technology we have all come to appreciate and would miss if it wasn’t there — like phone integration and wireless charging.

As a compact car, the M4 isn’t the best choice for transporting passengers in the back seat. Rear legroom in the coupe is only 34.7 inches, and the low roof impacts rear headroom. Trunk space of 12 cubic feet (10.6 in the convertible) is acceptable.

Although the regular 4 Series lineup includes a 4-door Gran Coupe version, this collection of M4 models is limited to just the 2-door coupe and convertible variants. Anyone wanting a high-performance compact sedan only has to walk a few steps across the BMW dealership floor to check out the M3. Buyers with their hearts set on a soft-top M4 should know that it’s available solely in Competition guise with all-wheel drive — it’s the top-of-the-line choice. Revisions to the entire 2025 4 Series line include a minor tweak to the grille, while the LED headlights are new (yet not really different in size or shape).

BMW Curved Display
This standard feature in the 2025 M4 includes a digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. It’s the technological heart of the cabin and offers features like augmented video for navigation, and Remote View through the MyBMW app to check on the car’s surroundings.

iDrive 8.5
This model year brings an updated iteration of BMW’s infotainment system. We think it’s already a smart and user-friendly setup, but there’s now an improved menu structure for greater efficiency and less distraction while on the move.

Harman Kardon audio
An excellent 16-speaker/464-watt surround-sound system is standard in every new M4.

Engine
We love a BMW engine, especially when it has six cylinders in a line. This inherently smooth configuration is a BMW specialty. Everything is superb, from the power delivery to the sound.

M carbon roof
Lighter than a steel roof, it reduces overall weight and lowers the center of gravity for optimum dynamics. It’s standard in the 2025 M4.

M driver’s package
A useful option, the main part of this package is a day’s tuition in high-performance driving instruction.

Both coupe and convertible 2025 BMW M4 variants begin with an ample 473 hp and 406 lb-ft emanating from a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. The Competition treatment boosts that to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque and gains an 8-speed automatic transmission. When all-wheel drive (xDrive) is added, output rises to 523 hp with the same torque figure.

The regular 2025 BMW 4 Series is reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW covers its vehicles and powertrains with a warranty lasting four years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This is typical for German luxury car makers. There’s also roadside assistance for the first four years, with unlimited mileage, plus three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Safety Ratings

The overall 4 Series (of which the M4 is a part) hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but it has earned a maximum score of five stars from the Euro NCAP safety program. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert.