2025 BMW power-loaded sedan falls short but higher priced

The 2025 BMW M4 Competition xDrive offers the legendary attributes the German carmaker’s enthusiasts enjoy — performance to bravado to astute steering. But the brand’s dubious traits, from uncomfortable seating to rigid driving to arrogant pricing, remain.

The latest example of BMW’s unbridled machismo is a track-oriented vehicle presented as a four-seat luxury sports car for daily driving. It’s an attention-grabbing, visually polarizing beast.

Defining the entry-level M as the base trim is a misnomer. It’s the least powerful with 473 horsepower and a six-speed transmission, but it’s plenty performance-oriented.
The reviewed Competition xDrive is the boastful option. It gets a power increase of 20 horsepower to 523, an eight-speed automatic and acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds. Gas mileage averages are 16 miles per gallon in city driving, 22 mpg on the highway.  The new BMW’s sports-heavy status also includes a new spoke design on the flat-bottom steering wheel.

Convertibles in all price ranges share a universal trait. They’re more enjoyable with their tops down. The M4 Competition xDrive is a prime example. As bombastic as its specs indicate, the BMW experience transitions from power-hungry to sensory-pleasing with its top retracted. The process (top up or top down), with the latter doable at up to 31 miles per hour, takes 18 seconds.

All M4 trims have adaptive dampers, adjustable brake-pedal feel and an electronically controlled exhaust system. The feature reaches its unnecessarily loudest in sport mode. The notice can be turned down by pushing the small M sound button positioned behind the steering wheel. Further excessive, how many drive-mode settings are useful? The BMW includes 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD choices.

Even by BMW standards, the M4 Competition xDrive is an outlier. Daily driving routines, unless they include track days and weekend racing, don’t require such top-end specifications. The car’s performance superiority is lost in shopping mall parking lots and other mere mortal frequent driving destinations.

Overall, driving the M4 Competition xDrive is challenging. It’s fast, aggressive and rarely comfortable. Every road imperfection is felt; every tight maneuvering scenario requires a test of skill.
More beneficial changes are safety upgrades, including daytime running lights and laser-enhanced taillights.

All trims include a lengthy standard features list. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and power-adjustable front sports seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and multicolor ambient interior lighting highlight the comfort and convenience offerings. Optional Merino leather upholstery ($4,500) was also included.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.9-inch touch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, navigation, Bluetooth, two USB ports, voice recognition, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon stereo are technology highlights. It also includes proximity keyless entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a universal garage door opener.

Safety equipment includes a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and traffic-sign recognition.

Adding Executive, Parking Assistance, Driving Assistance packages and destination fee extend the $95,300 base price to $106,045, easily surpassing the potential deal-breaking six-figure plateau.

Competitors include the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (starting MSRP, $81,855), BMW M3 ($77,175), Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing ($63,590), Mercedes-AMG 53 ($75,450) and Mercedes-AMG C63 ($87,200).

Beyond its lofty price point, the M4 Competition xDrive has one additional polarizing feature. It’s likely overlooked by performance-oriented consumers and BMW fanciers. But couldn’t the manufacturer have offered an attractive front grille? The split design resembles flared nostrils smelling something unpleasant. It’s a BMW misfire, a feature representing the German carmaker at its worst.

James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.