2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA vs 2021 BMW 4 Series

The 2021 BMW 4 Series represents how, for better or worse, BMW has changed. The 4 Series name has been around since the 2014 model year when it was introduced for the former 3 Series coupe and convertible. Earlier two-door 3 Series models built BMW’s reputation, with excellent handling, smooth yet powerful engines, and understated styling.

The redesigned second-generation 4 Series departs dramatically from that template. It’s bigger and more luxurious, with garish styling and a greater reliance on technology for performance. The car’s rivals haven’t changed though. It still competes against the Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus RC, and Infiniti Q60 for buyers willing to sacrifice a bit of practicality to make a fashion statement.

As before, the 4 Series is available in coupe and convertible body styles—the latter with a soft-top instead of the previous retractable hardtop. Both body styles are offered in four-cylinder 430i and six-cylinder M440i configurations, with high-performance M4 variants also offered. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the cabrio models, while xDrive all-wheel drive is mandatory on the coupe in Canada. Our test drive was in a 430i xDrive coupe.