Compare the2019 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2019 Toyota Avalon

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Avalon doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the Avalon 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 crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Avalon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Avalon (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in their 2017 Initial Quality Study. The Avalon isn’t in the top three 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

The 440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 21 more horsepower (322 vs. 301) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 267) than the Avalon’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 430i Gran Coupe RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Avalon V6 (24 city/34 hwy vs. 22 city/32 hwy). The 430i Gran Coupe RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Avalon XLE V6 (24 city/34 hwy vs. 22 city/31 hwy).

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Avalon doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Avalon:

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 Avalon are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the Avalon (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

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 Avalon XLE’s standard 55 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Avalon XSE/Touring’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Avalon XLE.

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 Avalon 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 Avalon’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Avalon XLE’s (37.1 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 1.2 inches shorter than the Avalon, making the 4 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.4 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more front legroom than the Avalon.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Avalon (17 vs. 16.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Avalon doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 30% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 17th.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Avalon doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Avalon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Avalon XLE/Touring’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 Avalon doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 4 Series Gran Coupe offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Avalon doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the 4 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Avalon doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Avalon doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The Avalon 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 Avalon has never been an “All Star.”

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Toyota Avalon by 22% during 2017.