The 2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe is a strange anomaly, since unlike its two-door siblings, it has four of them, defying any kind of logic. Despite this peculiar choice, we still dig it.

To separate two-door coupes and convertibles the 3-Series sedans, BMW introduced a whole new lineup in 2014 known as the 4-Series. Now entering their sophomore year of independence, the 4-Series gains a new member – the four-door Gran Coupe.

But if the reason to split the coupes and the sedans was to differentiate the four-doors from the two-doors, then doesn’t introducing a four-door vehicle make it all sort-of pointless? We compare the 4-Series Gran Coupe to its 3-Series Gran Turismo counterpart to see if there is indeed a point to its existence:

Sexy or Purposeful?

The all-new Gran Coupe and the 3-Series Gran Turismo both sport four-doors, but do so in very different ways. The Gran Turismo is a practical, versatile and good-looking, while the Gran Coupe is elegant, sporty and sleek.

The Gran Coupe adopts a gradually-sloping roof style to better imitate its two-door coupe sibling. In fact, the design of the Gran Coupe mimics a two-door so well that if you place a hand over the front-door handle, the resemblance is uncanny.

The Gran Turismo has a more upright windshield that dramatically slopes down into what BMW refers to as a hatchback. This allows for more interior space, particularly in the back, and extra cargo room. In general, we would say the Gran Coupe is more about looks and the Gran Turismo is more about space.

Peppy or Capable?

These two vehicles come with the exact same powertrain options. Depending on what trim level you opt for.

The lower trim is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The upper trim gets a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that generates 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The Gran Coupe comes standard with rear-wheel drive, and the all-wheel-drive system, called xDrive, is optional. On the other hand, the Gran Turismo comes standard with xDrive.

The weight difference in these two cars varies depending on the engine choice, but the Gran Turismo can be anywhere from 110 to 143 pounds heavier than the Gran Coupe. With a lower centre of gravity and the front and back a few millimetres wider, there is a driving-dynamics advantage to the Gran Coupe.

Luxurious or Spacious?

The Gran Coupe may have a 4-Series status, but the cabin is all 3-Series. A lower number does not represent lower quality. Both cabins are built with premium materials and have classy designs.

Both of these vehicles are also designed to carry five passengers. There is no doubt that the Gran Turismo has the more spacious cabin, but the Gran Coupe offers adequate legroom and decent enough headroom as well – although it might be a little tight.

The Gran Turismo offers a smoother ride than the Gran Coupe, but that’s because the Gran Coupe is capable of more spirited driving thanks to its lighter frame and peppier build, which endows it with a stiffer ride.

Pricing

These two cars are very similar in style and capability, so what is it that really sets them apart? Well, it may all boil down to price.

The 2015 entry-trim Gran Coupe pricing starts at $44,900, while the Gran Turismo will set you back almost five grand more with a base price of $48,990.

Verdict

The conclusion when it comes to deciding between these two cars is not all that conclusive. They are similar enough that the choice is tough, but their differences will drastically appeal to specific buyers. If you’re in the market for a sleek, sporty car and desire the newest toys out there, then definitely opt for the 4-Series Gran Coupe. If a capable, practical and spacious car is more appealing to you, then going with the Gran Turismo is the right choice, if you’re willing to pay more, of course. One conclusion we can make for sure is that there is indeed a point to the 4-Series Gran Coupe.

For more information on the 2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe, please be sure to consult our full review.