[First Drive] 2026 BMW M440i xDrive Coupé

The 4 Series is regarded as one of BMW's icons. The model we encountered this time is the M440i, which packs high performance into the silhouette of a dynamic coupé.

You might wonder why someone would buy an ambiguous (?) model like the M440i when there are high-performance models like the M4 available.

However, the 320i is a bit too plain, isn't it? On the other hand, the M4 offers great performance but can be a bit excessive in terms of ride comfort and other aspects. The M440i, conversely, offers comfort for daily use combined with high-performance capabilities, making it something of a jack-of-all-trades in terms of appeal.

We got to meet the M440i, the two-door version of the saloon often called the 'space-age masterpiece', the M340i.

Design

The front end makes a quite sporty impression. Inside the slim LED headlamps sit the latest vertical DRLs. The vertical kidney grille, which was controversial at its debut, now looks familiar and natural.

True to its M Performance model status, it features a black high-gloss finish, M logo embellishments, and active shutters, enhancing both its aggressive image and functionality. The side profile offers high visual satisfaction thanks to the ideal long-nose, short-deck proportions and the smoothly flowing roofline.

The matching of the black window frames with the multi-spoke wheels is also pleasing. The OE tyres are Bridgestone's premium summer tyre, the Turanza T005. This hints that the M440i prioritises everyday comfort infused with high performance over outright sportiness.

The most striking feature at the rear is the laser light tail lamps, first seen on the special limited edition M4 CSL. Their thin, sharp yet elegant lines beautifully express the presence of the 4 Series. Honestly, I didn't expect these lamps to be used in the facelift, but they look truly stunning in person. The small spoiler on the boot lid, black tailpipes increased in diameter from 90mm to 100mm, and the sporty diffuser complete the high-performance model's aesthetic.

Interior and Convenience Features

The interior layout follows the very familiar BMW design. Still, details aim to emphasise sportiness.

The newly designed D-cut M leather steering wheel features a red centre mark at the 12 o'clock position. It's a small touch, but it does convey a sense of motorsport spirit.

The buttons have a good feel and are actually more intuitive than some newer steering wheels. Setting up the ADAS is also straightforward.

The instrument cluster is a 12.3-inch unit, using the same graphics as other models, which is a bit disappointing. The central display is a 14.9-inch unit. The curved display system offers good visibility. As always, the interface is a letdown, with redundant menus and a lack of intuitiveness. However, unlike the OS 8.0 system in older models, which drew significant criticism from consumers, conflicts between Android Auto and Samsung Galaxy phones weren't a major issue here.

The dashboard finished with carbon trim and the toggle-type gear selector give the cabin a cleaner look.

The M Sport seats hold occupants well, a style already used in other M models. The combination of black leather and blue stitching is excellent, but the lack of ventilation is a drawback, especially considering the price tag of around 90 million won.

The rear seats are reasonably usable. Despite being a coupé, the deeply sculpted seat cushions allow for a stable seating position. However, due to headroom limitations, it's recommended for passengers under 160cm tall.

Powertrain

Under the bonnet lies the 3.0-litre inline-six B58 engine, a true icon for BMW. It's called TwinPower Turbo, which refers to a twin-scroll, single turbo setup rather than twin turbos. This optimises the exhaust gas flow from each cylinder, reducing turbo lag from low engine speeds. Another feature is the integrated design of the exhaust manifold and cylinder head. It's paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, which provides quick torque support from a 9kW (12 hp) motor during initial acceleration to improve responsiveness.

The gearbox is an 8-speed automatic supplied by ZF, known for its very quick responses. An advantage is that it's hard to feel any harshness during rapid gear changes. Of course, in Sport Plus mode, you do feel some impact from the fast shifts.

High-Speed Performance

High-speed stability is excellent. The smooth revving nature characteristic of a six-cylinder engine allows for stress-free cruising. Most surprisingly, it achieved fuel economy of 20.4 km/L during steady 100 km/h cruising. Considering it's a car with nearly 400 horsepower, that's very impressive. Even with relaxed motorway driving, you can easily see around 14-15 km/L. Of course, this changes if you speed.

Acceleration continues even beyond 200 km/h. It then hits a speed limiter at an indicated 253 km/h, but the actual speed is around 242 km/h, which is a bit disappointing as it falls short of the manufacturer's official 250 km/h claim.

For reference, during high-speed driving (not on a track), it's better to set the dampers to Normal. In Sport mode, the dampers stiffen up, offering a bouncy feel, but this can actually increase a sense of instability. For safe high-speed cruising, Comfort mode or Individual settings with only the engine set to Sport are recommended.

0-100 km/h Acceleration Performance

The acceleration is quite good. In our launch control acceleration test (0-100 km/h), the best time was 4.25 seconds. Even on poorer runs, it consistently achieved times in the 4.5-second range. This exactly matches BMW's official figure of 4.5 seconds. For reference, the 0-200 km/h time was 15.5 seconds, which is average considering the engine's output.

Everyday Driving and Ride Comfort

The compromise the M440i aims for is most evident in its ride comfort. It offers fantastic suspension compliance, setting it apart from the hardcore performance-oriented M3 or M4. It's firmer than a standard saloon, but when traversing continuous bumps or speed bumps, it filters out rear-end impacts with poise and smoothness. It's comfortable enough for daily driving with kids. The ride quality is significantly better than some saloons that sacrifice comfort for larger wheels.

You can consider the M440i set up with 70-80% of its driving focus on daily life. While the pure M model's S58 engine feels somewhat raw and thickset, the B58 engine in this car delivers the smooth character of the 'Silky Six' that BMW was once famous for.

The torque converter automatic gearbox is very smooth yet provides a definite direct feel, which is particularly satisfying in stop-and-go traffic. One thing to note: while hill-start assist works, if you release the brake pedal on an incline, the car will start to roll back after about 3 seconds.

Handling and Steering Characteristics

Compared to the rear-wheel-drive M340i, the steering response is slightly less agile. This isn't because the all-wheel-drive M440i is inferior, but rather because the rear-wheel-drive M340i is particularly good in this regard. Instead, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system provides immense cornering traction and high-speed turning stability. The M440i exhibits mild understeer at the limit and faithfully follows the driver's intended line. The intervention of the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is particularly refined, preventing the rear axle from stepping out during sudden throttle lift-off or braking when weight shifts forward.

For reference, with the system fully off (DSC OFF), you can enjoy brief drifts by applying power, but due to the all-wheel-drive system's excellent traction recovery, sustaining slides like a rear-wheel-drive car is difficult.

Furthermore, there is a slight limitation in hard cornering, which comes from the Bridgestone Turanza T005 summer tyres, which have a comfort-oriented character. The tyre's grip limit is reached before the chassis's full potential is exploited.

This is because daily usability was prioritised; if you want more sporty performance, fitting proper sports tyres would solve it.

100-0 km/h Braking Performance

Braking performance was somewhat disappointing. The relatively narrow 225mm front tyres seem to be under too much stress for the car's weight. The first one or two braking tests showed acceptable performance, but afterwards, the stress concentrated on the tyres, and performance began to degrade. The average braking distance was around 38 metres, which is typical for a well-performing all-season tyre. However, the braking system itself seemed to have more capacity, so this shortcoming could be overcome by upgrading to tyres with more grip.

Overall Verdict

The BMW M440i xDrive is a model that successfully blends daily comfort with the excellent revving nature of an inline-six engine, brisk acceleration, and the distinctive visual appeal of a coupé. Unlike the hardcore high-performance M models, it causes less fatigue in terms of ride comfort. It also doesn't leave you wanting for the dynamism and performance that a standard 420i cannot provide.

However, its price overlaps with the high-performance M2, which might give potential buyers pause. Nevertheless, if your priority is daily driving with an added dose of sportiness, there are very few coupés that can replace the current M440i. On roads filled with predictable cars, it offers a solution for expressing your individuality – that is the charm of the M440i xDrive.