The luxury market is packed with tough competition. Put SUVs to the wayside and focus on cars, and BMW has decimated rivals like Lexus and Cadillac, with the 4-Series standing out as the best-selling luxury car in 2025.
If a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and brand prestige is what you’re after, then there is no better option. With its balanced styling and enthusiast-driven dynamics, the 4-Series resonates with buyers who want luxury and thrilling performance. It also benefits from broad availability and competitive pricing within its segment.
BMW continues to set standards in the luxury segment, defining what buyers want through a lineup of fantastic options. We explore the trajectory of the 4-Series to understand how it has set itsefl apart from other luxury cars to be crowned the most popular model in 2025 so far.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA. This article focuses on luxury car sales, excluding crossovers and SUVs.
BMW Tops the Charts, With the 4-Series Leading the Way
When it comes to luxury cars, there are a ton of excellent brands to choose from. Legacy automakers like Lexus and Cadillac continue to dominate, while new players like Genesis continue to surge in popularity. However, only one can stand at the top, and BMW’s 4-Series has claimed the spot of bestseller.
BMW 4-Series Sales
Model |
YTD 2025 |
YTD 2024 |
Q2 2025 |
Q2 2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|
4-Series |
23,369 |
19,935 |
11,492 |
11,088 |
While the 3-Series and 5-Series have traditionally been the most popular sedans in BMW’s arsenal, the introduction of the 4-Series definitely shook things up. The 3-Series and the 5-Series both have YTD sales just shy of 15,000 units each. Sales figures for the 4-Series do, however, include both the coupe and the four-door Gran Coupe, which does give it an edge over its sedan-only siblings.
Ever since its launch, the 4-Series has seen a steady increase in sales. This year, it saw the biggest increase in Q1, with Q2 showing small but steady growth. Compared to the same period last year, sales of BMW’s brilliant machine increased by a whopping 17.2 percent.
The 4-Series manages to out-sell some pretty impressive competition. The only other luxury sedan that comes close to its sales figures is the Lexus ES, with 19,181 units of the mid-size Japanese car being sold so far in 2025. The 3-Series and 5-Series take third and fourth spots.
SUVs Continue to Dominate Sales
Model |
Units Sold in 2025 (So Far) |
---|---|
Lexus RX |
52,888 |
Lexus NX |
38,253 |
BMW X5 |
33,588 |
Mercedes-Benz GLE |
29,434 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC |
29,355 |
BMW X3 |
29,092 |
Buick Envision |
28,737 |
Lexus TX |
25,147 |
Cadillac Escalade |
24,375 |
Audi Q5 |
22,914 |
Above is a list of the ten best-selling luxury vehicles, based on sales reports for the end of Q2; 2025 luxury sedan sales don’t come close. While some mainstream sedans, like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Civic, are still selling in massive numbers, it seems that luxury buyers much prefer the SUV layout.
No Matter What 4-Series You Opt For, You’re in For a Good Time
BMW made a name for itself in the sporting world by delivering generations of sports sedan dominance through the 3-Series. Not that long ago, the brand decided to split the coupe and fastback-styled models from the nameplate, dubbing them the 4-Series. In our opinion, this upgrade in style is worth the premium.
2026 Trims and Pricing
Model |
Starting MSRP |
---|---|
430i Gran Coupe |
$50,600 |
430i Coupe |
$52,600 |
430i Convertible |
$60,600 |
M440i Gran Coupe |
$64,400 |
M440i Coupe |
$66,300 |
M440i Convertible |
$74,400 |
M4 |
$81,300 |
The 4-Series comes in three different body types. The Gran Coupe is the most affordable, and honestly the best value option in our eyes. A 2026 3-Series has a starting price of $47,500, meaning that you’re not paying all that much more for the fastback styling. The coupe costs a bit more, but the markup on the convertible is by far the largest.
We think that you’d find the best value by sticking with the Coupe or the Gran Coupe. Deciding between the 430i and the M440i is an incredibly difficult choice and mostly comes down to personal preference. However, the more powerful and focused M440i setup does better suit the coupe in our opinion.
If you’re looking for the most performance-oriented version of the 4-Series, you’re obviously going to want the M4. It only comes in coupe or convertible body styles so as not to intrude on the M3’s territory. This tack-focused beast demands a high price, but it delivers a unique driving experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
Warranties and Maintenance
- Limited Warranty: Four Years or 50,000 Miles
- Powertrain Warranty: Four Years or 50,000 Miles
- Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance: Three Years or 36,000 Miles
The 4-Series has a pretty standard warranty plan for the class in which it competes. It matches what is on offer by its key rivals, except for a few standouts, like the 10-year, 100,000-mile plan offered by Genesis. The German brand does, however, offer some of the best complimentary maintenance out there.
If High Octane Enjoyment is What You’re After, the 4-Series Has You Covered
While some other iconic sports sedans have become softer as we move into a new age in the automotive realm, the 4-Series continues to set standards. BMW perfectly walks the line between comfort and high-octane tomfoolery. It is no wonder the nameplate is the basis for the brand’s best race cars.
Performance Specifications
Model |
430i |
M440i |
---|---|---|
Engine |
2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
3.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Six |
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
Horsepower |
255 HP |
386 HP |
Torque |
295 LB-FT |
398 LB-FT |
Driveline |
RWD or AWD |
RWD or AWD |
0-60 MPH |
5.6 Seconds |
4.2 Seconds |
Opt for the 430i, and you get BMW’s turbocharged inline-four, which definitely outperforms expectations. However, if you’re chasing thrills, then the smooth yet raucous inline-six in the M440i is the way to go. Both come standard with one of the best automatic transmissions on the market. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and what we’d opt for, with all-wheel drive being optional.
The 4-Series is a sporting car first, which means that sometimes the suspension can feel a bit firm, particularly over uneven bits of pavement. You’ll soon forget this shortcoming, though, when you put your foot down through twisting sections of road, which is where this finely tuned machine shines best.
The M4 Ramps Things Up Even Further
Model |
M4 |
M4 Competition |
---|---|---|
Engine |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo Inline-Six |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo Inline-Six |
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
8-Speed Automatic |
Horsepower |
473 HP |
523 HP |
Torque |
406 LB-FT |
479 LB-FT |
Driveline |
RWD |
RWD or AWD |
0-60 MPH |
4.1 Seconds |
3.4 Seconds |
The same roaring twin-turbocharged inline-six sits under the hood of every M4, though it puts out varying amounts of power. The base M4 comes standard with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The Competition comes in rear-drive or all-wheel drive, with the former putting out slightly less power, delivering 503 horses. Go with the competition, and you lose the option of a manual, instead only getting the eight-speed auto.
Compared to the standard 4-Series, the M4 is a much more focused machine. Adaptive dampers, adjustable brakes, and an electronically controlled exhaust system are some of the upgrades you get here. Everything in the M4 is sharper, from a stiffer suspension tune to upgraded brakes, all serving the goal of better lap times.
Safety and Driver Assists
- Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation
- Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- Blind Spot Detection
- Surround View Camera System
- Parking Assistant Plus
What is so fantastic about sports sedans is that they’re just as usable on a day-to-day basis as they are at the track on the weekend. Despite high-octane fun being the main goal of the 4-Series, it still comes with plenty of standard driver assists, including a host of collision detection and avoidance systems. More advanced features, like adaptive cruise control, are kept behind paywalls, though.