2026 BMW M4

In a way, this makes more sense as one of those “if I won the lottery” cars than something like an Aston Martin. Such a lucky person could of course buy both, but we have a feeling they’d end up spending more time in the M4. After all, who wants to drive around solely in an exotic machine, where it’s vulnerable to the vagaries of life on the road? But the M4 retains an everyday usability, the talents and tech to tackle long journeys, and the corner-carving chops to thrill even the most jaded enthusiast.

BMW has a long and enviable reputation for making cars that balance the demands of thrill-seekers with the requirements of regular people, while still exuding a certain prestige. The M4 is yet another sublime creation.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury coupes and convertibles, including the BMW M4.

The M4 swoops into 2026 with no significant changes.

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 as a 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, price-wise. The Audi RS 5 Sportback should be 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 xDrive Coupe, which can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in only 3.4 seconds. At its entry level, the M4 produces 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 than the M4 Coupe — 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. For enthusiasts, we think the manual shift/front-engine/rear-drive combination is fantastic. M4 Competition versions have more power yet come exclusively with an 8-speed automatic.

An adaptive M-tuned suspension is standard across the lineup, with 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 and perhaps less frequent canyon-road thrills. That’s certainly true of this M4. We also like the steering feel (although the optional Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel might be too thick for some) and the always-reassuring brake pedal feel.

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 class, 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 2026 M4 is focused purely on performance. There’s still fine leather upholstery as standard, plus a lot of technology that we’ve 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. Rear legroom in the Coupe is only 34.7 inches, and the low roof impacts rear headroom. We think the trunk space of 12 cubic feet (10.6 in the Convertible) is acceptable. Interestingly, the smaller and cheaper BMW M2 has a bigger trunk.

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. And buyers with their heart 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.

BMW Curved Display
This standard feature in the 2026 M4 includes a digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. This is 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
We think BMW’s infotainment system is user-friendly, with a smart menu structure that optimizes efficiency and reduces distractions while driving.

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

Outstanding 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
This roof is lighter than steel, reducing overall weight and lowering the center of gravity for optimum dynamics. And it’s standard in the 2026 M4.

M Driver’s Package
The central part of this package is a day’s instruction in high-performance driving.

Both coupe and convertible 2026 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 (known as xDrive) is added, output rises yet again to 523 horsepower (same torque figure).

The regular 2026 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. These terms are typical for European luxury car makers. There’s also roadside assistance for the first four years, with unlimited mileage, plus three years or 36,000 miles of free 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.