• Not an inherently practical shape
• Taller adults will want the front seat
• Decent bootspace on offer despite sloping roof

It’s clear that if BMW 4 Series practicality is top of your priority list it’s actually the 3 Series models that you should be looking at (or at least a 4 Series Gran Coupe), the extra doors and estate-car body availability making them more suited to that task.

However, that’s not to say this coupe falls down at the first hurdle – for a start much of the interior is carried directly over so there’s a pair of cupholders and another cubby within the centre console and the door pockets are adequate in their capacity.

There’s plenty of room for passengers front and rear, while the pair of rear seats are split by yet another useful cubby – making the 4 Series Coupe a strict four-seater only.

This is wider than the previous 3 Series Coupe and you’re sat quite low, but it’s still not a particularly difficult car to park. The higher-spec models benefit from a clear and accurate bird’-eye view camera but most cars you find will have parking sensors at the rear at the very least. Automatic parking is available too.

Behind the back seats (which fold in a 60:40 split) there’s a 445-litre boot that is well shaped and allows decent access – though if load lugging is your thing the 3 Series GT or Touring models are a better bet.

Safety

We don’t think you’ll need to worry about the BMW 4 Series’ safety performance. The incredibly similar 3 Series on which it is based was awarded the full five stars by Euro NCAP, which is why you can see that crash test below.

It’s not a car short on safety kit either, with a range of systems designed specifically to limit the chance of an accident in the first place and protect those involved in the event of one. LED headlights and parking sensors are standard fit too, helping minimise the chance of a shunt.

Driving Assistant Plus uses a camera to check for vehicles and obstacles in front and behind the 4 Series, and if it detects a collision is likely it will prime the brakes and if needs be apply them without driver input.

Around town the adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go will adjust its speed and gap automatically in traffic, even bringing itself to a complete halt, so you only need to operate the steering.

Lane change and departure warnings will help you avoid any side-swiping accidents and Active Protection now offers Attentiveness Assistant which monitors the driver’s reactions and behaviour and warns them of fatigue.

WATCH: BMW 3 Series Euro NCAP crash test