There’s not a lot of choice when it comes to four-door lift backs, priced under six figures. The classy Audi A5 Sportback, the newly launched Volkswagen Arteon, and now throwing a cat amongst the pigeons, the Korean-made Kia Stinger.
In the BMW corner, the top-of-the-line 440i sees drive-away prices tipping over that $100,000 mark. But there is another compelling Bimmer option: the 2018 BMW 430i Gran Coupe ‘LCI’.
Let’s take a gander at the before on-road prices. The Stinger starts at $45,990, Arteon from $65,490, and the A5 at $81,500. And coming in at $2500 less than the A5 is the 430i at $79,000 plus on-road costs, boasting a 2.0-litre petrol engine under the bonnet. Want bigger? Opt for the six-cylinder 3.0-litre BMW 440i.
The 430i we have on test here has a few options added – an electric sunroof ($2920), the Innovations Package ($3900), and metallic paint ($1937), bringing the total to $87,757, before ORCs.
Out of the four cars, the BMW is the oldest, still in its 2013 first generation, whereas the latest generation of its rivals is 12 months or less. But, it has received a midlife update to help keep it fresh and current.
BMW’s terminology for a midlife update is LCI (life cycle impulse), which sees some minor changes. This includes long-overdue LED lights, iDrive 6 and a suspension tune, with the car now lowered to the same height as the 3 Series M Sport. Despite the added gear, the price remains unchanged.
It comes loaded with standard features, including the M Sport package comprising of about two-dozen M Sport features. Also coming standard are a number of important safety features, such as blind-spot sensors, brake assist, collision warning and mitigation, and lane-departure warning and passive steer assist.
Front, rear and side cameras, satellite navigation and head-up display are also thrown in. It is a nice surprise for BMW not to include these as an option.
BMW has fitted the $3900 Innovations Package, which includes active cruise control, parking assist, heated front seats, 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, high-beam assist and multi-functional instrument display.