BMW M4 2022 Review

The BMW M4 is a high-performance sport coupe that serves as one of the fastest and most powerful cars in BMW's lineup. Both the M4 and the 4 Series coupe it's based on were completely redesigned for 2021, with new tech and styling backed by the most powerful M4 engine ever. For 2022 the M4 Competition is now available with all-wheel drive.

This is the first time either the M3 or M4 has been offered with all-wheel drive, which BMW calls xDrive. The system is rear-biased, meaning it only sends power to the front wheels when the car senses it needs additional grip. BMW says AWD drops the 0-60 mph time by 0.4 second. Like the larger BMW M5 sedan, the M4 Competition xDrive will have selectable drive modes, including one that disables traction and stability control while shunting all power to the rear axle. If you prefer to keep things simple, the M4 will still be available in its rear-wheel-drive layout.

The M4 Competition has a few direct rivals, most notably the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S coupe and Audi RS 5. While the Audi offers all-wheel drive, the Mercedes sends power to its rear wheels only. If you want something a little more practical, the BMW M3 is nearly identical to the M4, save for the addition of two doors.

Which M4 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 BMW M4 is available in these versions: Coupe, Competition, Competition xDrive Coupe and Competition xDrive Convertible. Every M4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, making 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the Coupe and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft in the Competition. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard on the Coupe, and an eight-speed automatic is optional. The eight-speed auto is standard on Competition models.

M4 Coupe The standard M4 comes with notable features such as:

• LED headlights and daytime running lights
• 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels with performance tires
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• 12.3-inch digital information display
• 10.25-inch center touchscreen with iDrive 7.0 infotainment
• Navigation system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Automatic climate control
• Harman Kardon surround-sound audio
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats with four-way power lumbar support
• Adjustable drive modes
• Adaptive suspension dampers (adjust to improve ride comfort and handling)
• Electronic limited-slip rear differential for improved traction
• Front and rear parking sensors

Standard safety equipment in every M4 includes:

• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

You can further customize your M4 through a handful of options. Notable picks include:

• Executive package
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Remote engine start
• Heated steering wheel
• Power trunklid
• Ventilated front seats
• Carbon-fiber bucket front seats
• Carbon-ceramic brakes
• M Drive Professional package (includes Track mode as well as other performance displays and settings)

M4 Competition Coupe Stepping up to the M4 Competition nets you additional power as well as:

• 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels with performance tires
• Gloss black exterior trim including spoiler and exhaust tips
• Different seat belts

Some driver safety aids included as standard on the M4 must be added to the M4 Competition:

• Driving Assistance Professional package
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the M4 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your vehicle's path)

M4 Competition xDrive Coupe New this year is the xDrive version, which adds AWD and includes:

• Three driving modes: 4WD; 4WD Sport and 2WD
• Redesigned front suspension
• New steering tuning
• Upgraded oil cooling

M4 Competition xDrive Convertible The only topless model in the lineup includes all equipment from the xDrive Coupe, plus:

• Power soft top