2022 BMW M440i COUPE

BMW BACK WITH A RWD VERSION 

OF M440i COUPE FOR 2022

Introduced as a 2014 model to replace the coupes and convertibles of the popular 3-Series, the BMW 4-Series carries within it the soul of a sports car that is best exemplified by those models getting the company’s famed “M” performance upgrades.

With a turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine, the M440i and M440i xDrive models ratchet up horsepower and torque to 382 horsepower and 369 over the 255/295, respectively you get from the turbo-4s in the 430i and 430i xdrive trims.

This review is based on the 2022 BMW M440i Coupe with rear-wheel drive, which was not available in the refreshing given the lineup for 2021. (The 2021 M440i came only as the M440i xDrive which featured the company’s all-wheel-drive xDrive package.)

The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters and three drive modes (Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport) to suit your style. I searched for a zero-to-clock clocking for the RWD model with no luck but the website zeroto60times.com lists a 3.9-second clocking for the AWD M440i xDrive.

As noted, the 2021 4-Series went through a complete redesign that featured a new, bolder front grille that not every Bimmer aficionado is going to appreciate. It is a very prominent feature on the 2022 BMW M440i’s exterior.

Further enhancements for 2022 (including the rear-wheel drive configuration) include the addition of a Gran Coupe body style that comes with four doors along with  updates to standard equipment that include a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.35-inch touchscreen. blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assist, and Harman Kardon surround sound.

The 2022 BMW M440i comes with a long list of standard features that include various M Performance packages and items like LED headlights and tail lamps, a power moonroof, multi-zone climate control, frontal collision warning,

Also included in the $56,700 MSRP for my test 2022 BMW M440i were niceties like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can boost performance during hard acceleration by reducing the load on electronic systems, sport brakes, park distance control, and auto-dimming mirrors.

Extras? Of course there are extras to add on to the MSRP. Heading the list on my vehicle for the week were a Carbon Exterior package ($2,900), Cooling and High Performance Tire package ($2,500), Driver’s Assistance Pro package that adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with crash avoidance, and front cross-traffic alert ($1,700) and a Premium Package that adds a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, head-up display, and gesture control ($1,600).

Along with $995 for destination and delivery and $550 for the spectacular San Remo Green exterior,, that ran the final bottom line to $67,320, which seems kind of light for a vehicle of this caliber.

What I liked about the 2022 BMW M440i CoupeThe 2-door configuration gives it a sleek profile. The smorgasbord of tech functions is not that difficult to figure out and made easier by the use of a rotary dial on the console to spin through the options. Performance is what you expect from BMW, and you get a very powerful and more fuel efficient drive that you would ordinarily expect (25 mpg city, 34 highway, 28 combined). There is a bit more legroom in the back than you find in the M240i, and getting to the rear is made easier by the sliding front seats. You also get more trunk space (12.0 cubic feet to 10.0) than the M240i offers.

What I didn’t like about the 2022 BMW M440i Coupe: A manual transmission would add to the fun of driving. Despite the extra rear legroom, I would not want to spend much time back there. It is rather snug overall. The large front grille is very much “in-your-face” and may upset BMW traditionalists.

Would I buy the 2022 BMW M440i Coupe? The M430i is a tempting option but if you can work out the $11,000 increase in MSRP, the M440i is the way to go.