2026 BMW 420i Convertible Review

Convertibles have always been cool, and can be thought of as the pinnacle of automotive enjoyment. Despite this, they make up a ridiculously small percentage of new cars sold around the world, and represent a tiny slither of local sales. Last year, just 0.2 per cent of new cars sold in New Zealand were convertibles, with the Mazda MX-5 basically making up the entire segment. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t come as a surprise. When I went to collect the BMW 420i Convertible, I was told by an employee that these are now on a firm sale basis. If you are after a convertible BMW, you’ll have to put in an order with the Bavarians, and wait up to seven months for it to arrive.

A Pretty Penny

You won’t be shocked to hear this drop-top BMW is not cheap. Outside of the M4, it’s the only other version of the 4 Series BMW New Zealand offers, so I guess you can argue that it’s the entry point to the range.

New Zealand buyers will have to fork out at least $123,900 for the 420i Convertible. In saying this, it is offered as standard with the M Sport Package, which includes adaptive suspension, M-accented interior components, and a M steering wheel. Other standard equipment includes the 19-inch alloy wheels, Alpine White paint, and a black leather interior. Our test car featured optional Fire Red Metallic paint, which will cost an extra $2,000 in New Zealand. 

Beneath the bonnet, the 420i is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces 135kW and 300Nm of twist. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. 

An unmistakable presence 

Of the vehicles I have driven in the last few months, none has drawn quite as much attention than this 4 Series. It has an elegance about it that feels like it should be much more expensive than the $120,000 asking price. And I’m sure only a small fraction of those who commented on it would actually consider shelling out the six-figure asking price, but I feel like this speaks to how rare modern convertibles are in New Zealand.  

A lot of this attention can be put down to the spec, as the red paint over a white interior is a winner whichever way you look at it. Speaking of the interior, although it’s the standard 4 Series affair, it does feel a lot more special with the top down.  

There’s a large curved display on the dash, which is made up of a pair of 12.3-inch screens. The infotainment system supports both wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. There’s also an optional wireless phone charging pad.  

The seats don’t offer much in the way of bolstering, but are comfortable. When loading passengers into the rear seats, the front ones will slide forward when the back rest is folded, which is a handy feature.  

And while those back seats don’t look overly accommodating, they do offer a reasonable amount of space. With just a pair of seats back there, there’s plenty of room width-wise, and while footspace is compromised, the large cutout in the well provides enough.  

A costly compromise?  

As is the case with all convertibles, this 420i is heavier than its fixed-roof counterpart. Despite having a folding soft top that’s 40 per cent lighter than the previous folding hard top, the extra chassis reinforcement adds 165kg. With that extra weight, this convertible tips the scales at around 1.7-tonnes.  

Despite this, I’d argue the driving dynamics of the 420i haven’t been hampered all that much. Sure, it’s carrying around a few extra kilos, but it doesn’t feel sluggish on the road. There’s no denying that it feels most at home cruising on the motorway with the roof down, but it can take it to the turns with the best of them. BMW’s 3 Series is known for its impressive driving dynamics, and because the 4 Series shares the platform, this should come as no surprise.  

My previous experience with a 4 Series Convertible was on the Stelvio Pass in an M4, so I knew I’d never top that with the 420i, but I was genuinely impressed with how it handled itself.  

The steering is tight and provides a decent amount of information through the wheel, despite feeling somewhat artificial. The brakes will also haul it up well, and although I didn’t push them to the point of fading, the smell of brake pads is far more noticeable without a roof.  

An endangered species 

Convertibles seem to be a dying breed that no one seems too keen on saving. Internationally, they only make up an incredibly small fraction of all new car production, and they do feel like a novelty among far more practical options.   

But as far as enthusiasts are concerned, there’s a reason why the Mazda MX-5 and Honda S2000 are held in such high regard, as the driving dynamics are elevated without a roof. This isn’t to say the BMW 420i Convertible can be compared with those two icons, but it lives in its own luxurious roof-less space, wafting along the road, leaving an impression wherever it goes.  

BMW 420i Convertible
$123,900  /  6.9L/100km  /  157g/km
0-100 km/h 8.2s
Engine  1998cc ,IL4, DI/T
Max power  135kW@5000-6500rpm
Max torque  300Nm@1350-4000rpm
Drivetrain  8-speed auto, RWD
Weight (claimed)  1765kg