The gasoline-powered BMW 4 Series is now available in a four-door guise called Gran Coupe, and can be powered by either a four-cylinder (430i) or six-cylinder (M440i) engine. More distinctive and often overlooked compared to the 3 Series, the 4 is slightly longer and wider, with a more functional hatchback-style liftgate that makes it easier to load longer items. The snout grill and sloping silhouette make it nearly indistinguishable from the all-electric BMW i4, other than the obvious exhaust tips and charging port. The 3 is more conventionally shaped, with a traditional kidney grill design and trunk opening, and cabin space is very similar, with tolerable rear-seat headroom for hunched six-foot passengers. Ultimately, there isn’t much to separate them other than subjective qualities and looks.

Too much choice is never a bad thing in the automotive industry, and while the Gran Coupe doesn’t exactly fill a gaping void, it does offer a bit more sportiness and flair to the luxury sedan market. Perhaps BMW sensed a ripe opportunity with Audi axing their A4 Sedan and Mercedes sticking solely with their C-Class. That being said, any BMW loaded with the venerable B58 inline-six engine is bound to be peachy, and this M440i xDrive Gran Coupe is no exception. The single-turbo engine spools and revs like the notion of inertia doesn’t exist. Its piercing intake noise reflects the melodic rise and fall of the rev needle, and this velvety baleful howl makes the upgrade to the four-cylinder entirely justified.

Better yet, Canadians can now equip their M440i with an M Performance Exhaust for $3,250. It used to be a part of the aftermarket dealer process, but you can now integrate the exhaust option into your factory order. While it does seriously turn up the volume on this 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, don’t expect it to sound like an M4. That’s loaded with a completely different twin-turbo S58 engine after all.

The upgraded exhaust means cold starts now fill the cabin with more treble and gravitas, emitting the same amount of bass as the standard unit but with the volume dial up a few notches. There is more timber and intensity on engine idle, but it’s not outrageously reverberant and is still easier to live with than the M4. There is no dedicated exhaust button, but engaging the Sport, Sport Plus, or Sport Individual modes unlock its full vocal range. You can also switch off the artificial piped-in cabin noise in the Iconic Sounds menu, but it says a lot when the M440i sounds just as good without the speaker trickery.

Oddly enough, the M440i emits more of those raspy burbles and bangs than the M Performance Exhaust-equipped M240i. This typically happens when lifting off the throttle at high RPMs or when aggressively downshifting. It’s not overkill like in the Jaguar F-Type R, but it certainly adds more theatre and acoustic emotion to the drive, complementing this four-door’s already impressive dynamic repertoire.

Noise aside, the M440i generates a healthy 382 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive is standard fare, allowing a dash from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. With maximum torque available right at 1,800 rpm, extracting performance from this powertrain isn’t difficult, but the Gran Coupe does feel slightly more lax and lazier around corners than its M340i counterpart. The dampers are softer, leading to more body roll and less lateral grip when carrying speed into corners. We get a sense that it’s been tuned for high-speed comfort rather than agility, which is entirely acceptable given its inevitable on-road duties. Even in the most aggressive Sport Plus mode, the M440i accelerates with a relaxed gait while it gracefully tiptoes and dances around rough and uneven surfaces below, adding to its road trip appeal.

Balletic and ballistic with a sonorous exhaust that encourages exploration of the upper rev range, the M440i xDrive Gran Coupe is a well-rounded hatchback with remarkable ride quality and an ergonomic interior that still favours buttons and switchgear over full-digital real estate. It may be often forgotten or even overlooked compared to the 3 Series, but the left-field 4 Series is an entirely competent competitor that sprinkles just a bit more allure and magnetism to what is otherwise an engaging, driver-absorbing sports sedan.

Specifications:

Model: 2026 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
Paint Type: Mineral White Metallic
Base Price: $76,500
Price as Tested: $94,550
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, 48V mild hybrid system
Horsepower: 386 hp
Torque: 398 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 11.6