BMW 4 Series Finalist at 2014 Motor Trend Car of the Year

On the winding track, the downshift paddle often provided just enough retardation to instigate a lovely neutral drift through the tighter sweepers, though our testing crew reported more difficulty managing the transition from incipient oversteer to terminal understeer on the figure-eight course. Theodore declared, “The ride/handling balance is the best in the industry,” while noting that “both models could use a little more grip and roll control.” MacKenzie spoke for the group: “The 428i feels the sweeter of the two. You’re aware of the extra weight of the six-cylinder engine over the front wheels. The 435i pushes more at the limit, and the steering feels a tad heavier.” The 4 Series nails our performance-of-intended-function criteria better than any other car here. It ranks relatively strong in most other criteria, with the exception of value. Neither coupe had navigation, parking sensors, or even a rearview camera, and the 428i had vinyl seats! The telematics and Bluetooth integration felt about 10 years old, recognizing no apps and refusing to stream song info from smartphone audio apps. Niggles, to be sure, but sufficient to cost BMW the calipers in an exceptionally strong field.