BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 53·BMW 5 Series 58on the MotiveGrid Score·BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe about $9,086 less over 5 years
The verdict
The 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the cheaper one to own — roughly $9,086 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better.
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated July 2026 · National-average estimates
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe vs. BMW 5 Series
MotiveGrid scores, key specs, and five-year cost comparison: 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe versus 2027 BMW 5 Series.
Metric
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
BMW 5 Series
MotiveGrid Score
53
58
Cost of Ownership
53
43
Powertrain
49
63
Driver Assistance
6
6
Livability
47
35
Safety
80
100
5-Year Cost to Own
$69,300
$78,386
Depreciation (5-yr)
$27,699
$34,727
Fuel / Energy (5-yr)
$9,942
$9,621
Insurance (5-yr)
$17,000
$17,790
Maintenance (5-yr)
$4,080
$4,080
Tires (5-yr)
$1,550
$1,550
Financing (5-yr)
$7,703
$9,103
Registration (5-yr)
$1,325
$1,515
Starting Price
$51,200
$60,500
Horsepower
255 hp
255 hp
MPG (combined)
35 mpg
35 mpg
Cargo volume
16.6 cu ft
18.4 cu ft
Seating
5
5
Towing capacity
0 lbs
0 lbs
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Gas
2026$51,200
MSRP
$51,200
Mo · 5yr
$1,155
$69,300 / 5 years
Best for long-term savings
Gas
2027$60,500
MSRP
$60,500
Mo · 5yr
$1,306
$78,386 / 5 years
Best for families
VS
01 · The MotiveGrid Score
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
BMW 5 Series scores higher overall.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
0
/ 100
BMW 5 Series
0
/ 100
CostFive-year all-in cost to own, benchmarked against the class median.
4 Series Gran Coupe
53
5 Series
43
Winner: 4 Series Gran Coupe
$9,086 cheaper / 5 yrs
PowertrainEnergy efficiency paired with long-term ownership confidence.
4 Series Gran Coupe
49
5 Series
63
Winner: 5 Series
+14 pts
Driver AssistHighway driving support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation.
4 Series Gran Coupe
6
5 Series
6
Evenly matched
LivabilityPassenger space, cargo room, and everyday maneuverability.
4 Series Gran Coupe
47
5 Series
35
Winner: 4 Series Gran Coupe
+12 pts
SafetyCrash-test protection plus standard crash-avoidance features.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is the better pick for long-term ownership — about $9,086 cheaper over 5 years with stronger fundamentals on running cost.
BMW 5 Series still wins if your priority is best for families.
Daily commuter
BMW 5 Series
Lowest energy cost per mile
Budget-focused
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Cheapest to own across 5 years
Family hauler
BMW 5 Series
Much stronger safety with marginally more cargo space
Highway driver
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Better adaptive cruise + lane keep
City driver
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Easiest to park and maneuver in tight spots
03
Cost of Ownership
Monthly running costs — national baseline.
Adjust for your situation
State
Miles/yr15,000
Loan rate7%
Down payment20%
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$1,155
$69,300 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$1,155/mo
BMW 5 Series
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$1,306
$78,386 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$1,306/mo
💡
On fuel + maintenance alone, the pricier BMW 5 Series would need 145.0 years to recoup its $9,300 price premium ($64/yr in savings) — longer than most people own a car. Depreciation and insurance aren’t included in this payback view.
04
Frequently asked questions
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe comes out about $9,086 cheaper over 5 years on running costs (depreciation, fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance, financing). The gap shifts with your state, annual miles, and loan rate — use the "Adjust for your situation" panel above.
