Years Won: 1992–2014; 2023
With the second-longest-running continuous streak of 10Best wins, BMW’s bread-and-butter sedans, coupes, convertibles, and wagons had a dynastic hold on the award for more than two decades. Awards went to the E36, E46, E90, and current F80 generations of these supremely balanced cars that we characterized as “the definitive sports sedans.” But our eye strayed in 2014 when BMW introduced the lithe 2-series. This new coupe showed the same poise and engaging dynamics as the 3-series had for decades, while the renamed 4-series coupe grew softer and larger in an attempt to please a wider swath of the population. The battery-electric BMW i4, however, gives us hope for the brand’s return to form. Though its steering is still a bit wanting, the rest of the i4 reminds us of the entry-level Bimmers we always loved—albeit with an EV twist. With plenty of driving range, multiple powertrains, and a cohesive driving experience, the i4 combines the best qualities of the automotive past, present, and future.
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