2021 BMW 4 Series vs 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe's styling was dominated by its massive new twin-kidney grille, which BMW claimed improved engine cooling. While beauty is subjective, it was challenging to find anyone who found it attractive. The rest of the car adhered to standard BMW styling, featuring LED headlights and taillights, and a familiar overall shape. The new front end was aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.25, compared to 0.29 for the previous model. The 4 Series shared a platform with the BMW 3 Series sedan, with slight increases in length, width, and height compared to the 2020 model. The interior followed BMW's clean design, with standard front sport seats offering 10-way power adjustment and driver’s memory. However, the materials, while good, fell short of true luxury standards. The sportier feel was enhanced by standard paddle shifters and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, though the latter's size felt more appropriate for a bus than a sporty coupe.

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, with its massive flying buttresses, presented a striking contrast to the Coupe with its targa roof panel removed. The power retractable hardtop operated seamlessly, dropping in 18 seconds and raising in 22 seconds, all from the driver’s seat. The convertible felt more open than it looked, amplifying the engine's roar and exhaust notes. Choosing the convertible eliminated concerns about handling the targa panel but introduced visibility issues with the top down, blocking the view of traffic behind. The convertible also lacked the Coupe's illuminated engine bay view. Despite these trade-offs, both versions offered exceptional performance and exotic proportions. The Corvette Convertible started at $66,400 for the base 1LT trim, with the 2LT and 3LT trims priced higher. The test car, a Torch Red 2LT, attracted significant attention and included several desirable options, bringing its price to $84,570. The car looked terrific, though some details, especially the rear-end, were less appealing. Inside, the 2LT lacked some premium finishes but maintained the Corvette's futuristic and technical cabin design.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series offered two powertrains. The 430i model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. The M440i had a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, generating 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a 48-volt starter/generator for better fuel efficiency. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 430i RWD coupe accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, while the AWD 430i xDrive did it in 5.3 seconds. The M440i xDrive coupe reached 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Despite these impressive numbers, the driving experience was hampered by a hesitant transmission and uninspiring engine sound. The test car's optional Adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering, and performance runflat tires provided a composed chassis and plenty of grip, but the steering lacked feedback. The interior was quiet, but the ride quality didn't match the performance car expectations.

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, equipped with the optional Z51 Performance Package and performance exhaust system, produced 495 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 5,150 rpm. The 6.2-liter V8 engine delivered exhilarating acceleration, pinning occupants to their seats. Despite its aggressive styling, the Corvette was nearly as easy to drive daily as a family sedan, though reversing with the top down required extra care. The front suspension lift function, with its memory for up to 1,000 locations, was essential to avoid scraping the car’s nose. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) added character, despite occasional hesitation. Multiple driving modes, including customizable My Mode and Z Mode, allowed for tailored driving experiences. The Z51 Package included performance-tuned Magnetic Ride Control adaptive dampers, performance brakes, a performance rear-axle ratio, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. The Corvette's mid-engine layout and outstanding forward visibility contributed to its gratifying dynamic character, making it a sheer delight to drive.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series, while not the most practical, offered more front headroom and trunk space than its competitors like the Audi A5, Infiniti Q60, Lexus RC, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupes. However, it lagged in legroom and rear headroom compared to some rivals. The rear seats were suitable only for children or occasional adult use. The front-seat space was more than adequate, making it a right-size car for those who found two-seat sports cars too cramped. The cockpit was logically laid out, with an infotainment touchscreen integrated into the dashboard, a well-sized cubbyhole for a phone, and angled in-door cupholders. Outward visibility was excellent, avoiding the bunker-like feel of many modern cars.

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette's interior was full of character, dominated by a digital instrumentation panel and Chevrolet’s infotainment technology. The squarish steering wheel and unique switchgear added to the bespoke feel. The climate controls ran in a dramatic strip atop the dividing wall, and the transmission buttons were exclusive to the Corvette. Getting in and out of the car was challenging, especially in tight spaces, but once inside, the GT2 seats with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, and ventilation provided comfort. The wireless smartphone charger was inconveniently placed between the seats. Cargo space totaled 12.6 cubic feet, accommodating three roll-aboard suitcases, though the rear liftover was high.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series came standard with the iDrive 7 infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch display screen in the instrument cluster. The optional Live Cockpit Professional setup included a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. The test car had Live Cockpit Professional, with well-rendered graphics and intuitive menus. The iDrive rotary controller was one of the best in the business, providing tactile feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A head-up display and wireless phone charging were available at extra cost.

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display that changed with the driving mode. The 2LT trim included a head-up display (HUD) that also adapted to the driving mode. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, angled toward the driver, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual smartphone pairing, and Chevrolet Connected Services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The upgraded system included navigation and enhanced voice recognition. A 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system was available, providing excellent sound quality. The Performance Data Recorder acted as an embedded GoPro, recording 1080p video with performance data overlay, and could be used as a dash-cam or in valet mode.

The 2021 BMW 4 Series had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard driver-assist features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and speed-limit information. Adaptive cruise control was available through the $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional Package, which included a sophisticated system with stop-and-go capability and steering assist.

The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette, while not focused on safety, included several important features. Teen Driver technology monitored young drivers and provided a report card. Chevrolet Connected Services offered automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Visibility enhancements, including a front-facing camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, were available on the 2LT and 3LT trims. The Corvette did not offer modern advanced driving assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, or automatic emergency braking, emphasizing the car's driver-focused nature.