2021 BMW M440i xDrive Road Test and Review

It’s been two years since BMW completely redesigned its legendary 3 Series sedan. Now it has revamped its 4 Series Coupe, and the latest, greatest, and hottest version is this, the new 2021 BMW M440i xDrive.

It’s a mechanical twin to the spectacular BMW M340i, which was also developed by BMW’s M division — the German automaker’s in-house tuner shop. Over the last few years, M has been sprinkling its magic performance dust on a broader range of BMWs, adding considerable power and handling to more models. The result is the expansive M Performance line of cars and SUVs that now includes about 10 distinct vehicles, including the M550i, X5 M50i, and X3 M40i. They aren’t hardcore M machines like the M2, M3, and M5, but they offer significantly more speed than the German brand’s mainstream models. The new M440i xDrive competes with the Audi S5, Lexus RC F, and Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 Coupe.

BMW’s engineers dialed in the performance of the 2020 BMW M440i xDrive on many racetracks, including Germany’s legendary Nurburgring, considered by many to be the dangerous circuit in the world. That effort has created a car that’s very rewarding to drive. The new M440i xDrive not only offers considerably more horsepower than the standard 430i, but also superior handling.

Prices start at $59,495, including a $995 destination charge, and all-wheel drive. That’s about $4,000 more than a rear-wheel-drive M340i sedan. All-wheel drive is offered on the M340i for an additional $2,000. Standard high-performance hardware includes massive M Sport brakes, M Sport 18-inch wheels, an aggressively tuned M Sport suspension, and a special electronically controlled performance rear M Sport Differential, which greatly improves traction and agility. An excellent eight-speed automatic transmission, retuned by M’s engineers for quicker response, is also standard. Surprisingly, and disappointingly, a six-speed manual is not available. With options, our well-equipped test car cost nearly $68,000.

Under the M440i’s hood is one of the greatest turbocharged engines in the world: BMW’s silky-smooth 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with direct injection and mild assist from a 48-volt hybrid system. Producing 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, it’s the same engine used in M340i and a handful of other models. That’s a jump of 62 hp and 36 lb-ft over last year, and it’s 127 more horsepower than you get in a 430i.

Anyone that says BMWs have lost their ability to thrill hasn’t driven the new M440i with a heavy right foot. For now, this is the only 4 Series with launch control, and it’s seriously quick. BMW says it rockets to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. In the real world, it feels even quicker. We’ll bet the real number is 4.0 seconds flat. Don’t worry about turbo lag; there’s a big rush of power as soon as you punch the throttle, and the engine’s immense output lasts across its tachometer. It’s fun to floor the gas pedal and shift through the gears manually with its steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Like the M340i, this coupe can be driven every day in complete comfort, but its suspension is tuned firmly. The standard M Sport suspension features firmer springs, stiffer bushings and mounts, firmer anti-roll bars, and a greater negative wheel camber up front. The setup isn’t overly aggressive for a performance coupe, but you definitely feel the road, even in Comfort mode. The adjustable suspension is even stiffer in the Sport and Sport Plus settings, for when you’re looking for the most performance.

The tradeoff for that firm ride quality is the M440i’s incredible handling. This year, BMW has also lowered the coupe’s center of gravity, stretched its wheelbase, and widened its suspension for additional traction and stability, and you can feel it in its precise and agile handling. It’s extremely stable, and there’s essentially no body roll, even in tight turns. Its structure feels like it was carved from a solid chunk of billet, and the car’s dynamics seem to improve the faster you go.

Identified by their massive blue calipers with the M logo, BMW’s impressive M Sport brakes are standard on the M440i. They feature oversized rotors with diagonal cooling air ducts, and the coupe stops from high speeds with no drama. Its brake pedal is always firm. 

Our only real complaint is with the BMW’s standard Variable Sport Steering system, which adjusts the steering ratio depending on the vehicle’s speed. It works as advertised, but the system’s response can feel a bit odd around town at first and the steering doesn’t feel as natural as it did in BMWs of the past. The good news is it all feels better at faster speeds, either on the highway or when you’re pushing through a series of quick corners. Another downside is that the M440i doesn’t get the tunable all-wheel-drive system used in the BMW M5. That system includes a rear-wheel-drive mode, which allows for tire-shredding burnouts and powerslides. There is no selectable rear-wheel-drive mode in the M440i’s all-wheel-drive system, though BMW says the car can automatically send all power to the rear wheels when AWD is not needed. 

We agree with BMW when it calls the cabin of the 2021 M440i “a premium driver-focused cockpit.” It’s also familiar, as it has basically been lifted from the M340i sedan. Although the design isn’t as interesting as the interior of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it’s clean and contemporary with an abundance of aluminum trim and piano black surfaces. Everything looks and feels expensive and its fit and finish are among the best.

Firm, well-bolstered, and height-adjustable, the BMW’s driver’s seat is very comfortable, and our test car’s thick M-exclusive three-spoke steering wheel was heated and covered in soft leather. The coupe’s new digital gauge cluster is a bit cluttered, but it’s visually striking and many of its features are configurable to your liking. One quirk is the unusual counterclockwise sweep of the tachometer needle, which you’ll get used to. The latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is easily navigated using the large 10.25-inch touchscreen or the console-mounted dial and a small cluster of well-placed buttons. A Wi-Fi hotspot is standard.

There’s also plenty of storage space in the BMW’s interior. The M440i has a sizable center console bin, and its door pockets are large enough to be useful and have provisions for water bottles. Unfortunately, its two front cupholders are located ahead of the shifter, so your drinks block the storage bin.

Although the new 2021 4 Series does share its wheelbase with the 3 Series sedan, the coupe is 2.2 inches longer, 1 inch wider, and 2.2 inches lower. It’s also a four-seater. Its backseat is a bit more spacious than before, but it’s still quite tight. Although its trunk has shrunk from 15.7 cubic feet down to 12, it remains large for the class. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat is standard.

So far, the new 4 Series coupe has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, IIHS has crash-tested the 2020 BMW 3 Series, which shares its chassis and safety system with the 2021 4 Series, and named it a Top Safety Pick.

BMW has radically expanded the coupe’s list of standard high-tech safety systems. The car now comes with a lane-departure warning with steering corrections, a forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision preparation, automatic high beams, and speed limit information. Previously, most of these systems were either not available or cost extra. Optional systems include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, a front cross-traffic alert with side collision avoidance, and a Level 2 autonomous assist system, which allows for extended hands-free vehicle operation.

Have you seen its grille yet? It’s a fresh take on BMW’s famed twin-kidney design, and it’s not exactly conventional. Some will appreciate the automaker’s willingness to push its design language forward and take chances. Others think the sleek new 4 Series has a bad case of buckteeth. Remember Bugs Bunny?

BMW says the new 4 Series is more aerodynamically efficient than before. The coupe’s shape is clean and timeless with a classic long hood, short deck proportions, minimalist lines, and muscular fenders. It’s unmistakably a BMW. LED headlamps and taillights are standard and interesting trapezoidal exhaust tips are integrated into its rear bumper. Instead of chrome, BMW uses a modern grey finish on the M440i’s exterior trim, including the surrounds of that kooky grille and rear trapezoidal exhaust tip trim.

One thing we haven’t mentioned is the M440i’s fuel economy, which is impressive for a car with this kind of power and performance. The EPA’s fuel efficiency ratings aren’t final yet, but we averaged 24.0 mpg in mixed driving. We also like the fact that the rumble of its engine is increased inside the cabin in Sport and Sport+ mode. Unlike its turbocharged four-cylinder, BMW’s inline-six is worth listening to.

Overall, the 2021 BMW M440i proves BMW can still make cars for driving enthusiasts — that it hasn’t forgotten about people that love to drive. That its long legacy of high-performance coupes will live on. Sure an all-new and more powerful version of the legendary M4 is just around the corner, but for now, if you desire a high-performance two-door luxury sports coupe, the 2021 BMW M440i is one of the best.