Compare the2019 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2018 Lincoln Continental

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Continental doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the Continental have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Continental’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Continental.

The battery on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Continental’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in their 2017 Initial Quality Study. The Continental was rated second in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 17 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the Continental:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Continental doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Lincoln Continental is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Continental.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Continental are solid, not vented.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe stops shorter than the Continental:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Continental Premiere’s standard 50 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Continental Select/Reserve’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Continental doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Continental’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Continental’s (58.9% to 41.1%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

The 430i Gran Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the Continental Reserve AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s turning circle is 4.7 feet tighter than the Continental’s (37.1 feet vs. 41.8 feet). The 4 Series Gran Coupe xDrive’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Continental’s (38.7 feet vs. 41.8 feet).

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the Lincoln Continental.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 6.7 inches shorter than the Continental, making the 4 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the 430i Gran Coupe xDrive is quieter than the Continental Reserve AWD (65 vs. 67 dB).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Continental (17 vs. 16.7 cubic feet).

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Continental. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Continental doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Continental’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Continental doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the 4 Series Gran Coupe is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Continental’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Lincoln Continental isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Gran Coupe owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe with a number “1” insurance rate while the Continental is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4 Series Gran Coupe will retain 44.99% to 47.5% of its original price after five years, while the Continental only retains 39.71% to 42.52%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is less expensive to operate than the Continental because typical repairs cost much less on the 4 Series Gran Coupe than the Continental, including $216 less for a muffler, $87 less for fuel injection, $99 less for front struts, $71 less for a timing belt/chain and $303 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will be $4142 to $12997 less than for the Lincoln Continental.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The Continental has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2014. The Continental has never been an “All Star.”

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Lincoln Continental by over three to one during 2017.