It’s a common theme, but if you’ve ever sat in a BMW 3 Series then the 4 Series Gran Coupe – from the front seat especially – will be instantly familiar. In fact, from that point of view it’s in fact an identikit copy of the saloon, with everything placed sensibly on that angled centre console with the (now) easy to use I-Drive controller behind on the transmission tunnel.

Plastic and material quality is as good as it gets in the sector, and while it doesn’t look as dramatic as the cabin in the new Mercedes C-Class the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s dashboard is better built and more logically laid out.

There’s plenty of adjustment from the steering wheel – which offers an incredible amount of reach movement especially – and seats, so finding your favoured driving position is an easy task. Electric adjustment is an option, with memory settings to make that task even easier and quicker, while we can wholeheartedly recommend the electric sports seats which manage to be comfortable and supportive.

Time was the I-Drive central controller would have taken some real getting used to, but such is the prolific use of such systems, and the advent of technology as a whole, that most functions are discovered intuitively rather than through the manual.

Just like the 3 Series, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe comfort is impressive, especially when fitted with the optional adaptive damping system. Allowing drivers to select from Comfort, Sport and Sport + modes (when added to M Sport models) it sharpens or softens the suspension’s reactions to bumps accordingly. It’s still not limo-like in its absorption of what’s underfoot, but this is the best compromise for comfort.

Same goes with the optional sports seats, which manage to mix a near perfect blend of cosseting and support, which aided by electric adjustment ensures you can finish a journey feeling as fresh as when you started.

Choose the 19-inch MSport wheels as fitted to our test car and you’ll notice some road noise, though wind noise is kept well in check – despite the frameless glass on the ‘Coupe’ doors. And while petrol engines are properly hushed, unless pushing the car hard where a glorious growl takes over, the 20d diesel model can be a little clattery at times, though there’s little to no vibration through the car’s controls.