10 Cars That Are Just As Thrilling As The BMW M4

‘Thrilling’ is an easy word to choose to describe the BMW M4. Two-door sports coupes don’t get much better than the combination of BMW’s powerful twin-turbo inline-six, their famous luxury and comfort, and the performance focus of the M series itself. The M4 is all about the driving experience, giving you the choice between rear or all-wheel drive, and either a six-speed manual or buttery smooth eight-speed automatic. Track ready right from the dealer, the M4 will get your heart racing with M performance parts like large carbon ceramic brakes, carbon bucket seats, dedicated launch mode, and BMW’s new sport-oriented curved display. So the BMW M4 is a thrilling drive to say the least, but what about other options?

The world of luxury coupes offers a lot of really competitive options in a highly contested market, making you the winner if what you’re chasing is power, comfort, and style. With so many great cars to choose from, you can’t go wrong no matter what direction you head; but to help narrow down exactly what the most thrilling alternatives are to the M4, we’ve compiled a list of 10 great alternatives.

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10 BMW M2

The M4’s Smaller Sibling

You don’t have to look far to find a vehicle just as thrilling as the M4. In fact, there’s arguably even more excitement behind the wheel in the BMW M2. It’s also an aggressive two-door coupe, it features the same engine as the M3 and M4, and it doesn’t have the controversial kidney grille; what’s not to love?

Performance Specifications

The M2 is not too different from its bigger sibling with a mere 20 fewer horsepower, and the reduction in size and weight means you get a more nimble and agile drive. The M2 also features BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension, letting you adjust the suspension settings on the fly with different drive modes to suit the kind of feel you want whether you’re cruising on the freeway or tearing around a track.

9 Lexus RC F

Naturally Aspirated, Naturally Awesome

The Lexus RC F is an underrated car; if you’re looking for something on par with the M4, it ticks a lot of boxes. The RC F pairs luxury with power, racing from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.2 seconds thanks to the 5.0-liter V-8 monster under the hood. At only one horsepower less than the M4, it hits 472 horsepower without boost, but brings that famous Lexus engine note. Surrounded by twin-turbo V-6s, the Lexus stands out with its naturally aspirated V-8.

Performance Specifications

Much like the M4’s Adaptive M Suspension system, Lexus has included their F-Adaptive Variable Suspension to give you the same level of control over ride height and stability. Select from 5 drive modes that stiffen for enhanced response while cornering so that the car adjusts its body roll to keep you glued to the road. Built-in launch control means you’re track-ready with the push of a button.

8 Jaguar F-Type

Classic Sports Car Performance

The Jaguar F-Type is one of those legendary cars that speaks for itself, so when comparing it to the M4 you’re in for a tough battle. The F-Type celebrates Jaguar’s long love of sports cars; with over 75 years of history in one car it’s easy to see why it’s so polished. Built around a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8, the F-Type delivers plenty of grunt through its all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring, sticking you to the road with explosive power.

Performance Specifications

One of the best-sounding engines available, the exhaust notes are about as loud as you can have legally. This makes the F-Type one of the most enjoyable cars to drive on the list, and your chance to get your hands on an unadulterated V-8 while it still exists. Unfortunately, the 2024 ZP Edition will be Jaguar’s last combustion engine sports car so if you’re keen to get behind the wheel, you’ll want to be quick.

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7 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

A Century Of Performance

Certainly the longest model name in the list, the Quadrifoglio (Italian for four-leaf clover, Alfa’s high-performance model badge) is a driver’s car that is stylish as a secondary thought. Another car in this list with a long history, the Quadrifoglio celebrated its 100th-anniversary last year, and it’s hard to argue with a century of car building when you’re looking for something thrilling.

Performance Specifications

Packing a real punch from its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is another car that sacrifices its manual transmission for an eight-speed automatic, however its gear shifts are lightning-fast at under 100 milliseconds so it is no slouch.

6 Lotus Emira

A True Driver’s Car

When you’re talking about driving experience, no manufacturer is as devoted to making sure their cars feel ‘right’, as Lotus. The Emira is the final combustion engine from Lotus, much like Jaguar, they are shifting towards fully electric, and they’re going out with a bang. Driver preference is the focus here, with the mid-engine Emira taking a step no one expected, offering two engine options, three gearbox options, and two steering options.

Performance Specifications

Pick from a Toyota-built supercharged V-6 with a six-speed manual or automatic, or the famous AMG-built 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with dual-clutch transmission that actually puts out more power. The Emira is also stylish and sleek, with a minimal interior, so while you may not get the same level of technology or luxury comfort as other options, for sheer joy of driving the Lotus is as pure as it gets.

5 Cadillac CT4-V

Muscle Meets Luxury

The first entry from the U.S., the CT4-V fits the luxury coupe bill perfectly when you’re talking compact, powerful thrilling driving experience. The entry-level CT4-V features a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four, which isn’t the most inspiring engine, however, the Blackwing model brings back the beefy twin-turbo V-6 from its predecessor the ATS-V. You also get the choice between six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic, and much like the BMW M4, the CT4-V comes with Magnetic Ride Control to adjust your suspension on the fly.

Performance Specifications

Cadillac has even included a performance data recorder to track your stats on the track and record video at 1080p; making the experience that much more thrilling. The CT4-V Blackwing is Cadillac at its naughtiest, cramming race-ready features into its Track settings so that all you need to do is jump behind the wheel and decide just how you want your CT4-V to feel.

RELATED: 10 Cars That Deliver BMW M4-Level Excitement At A Fraction Of The Cost

4 Audi RS 5 Coupé

Stylish And Refined With All Wheel Power

Another strong contender for the most thrilling M4 alternative has to be the Audi RS 5 Coupé. Like many on this list, the RS 5 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 and comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, however it’s fitted with the Quattro all-wheel-drive, so you’re looking at powerful launches and superior traction around corners.

Performance Specifications

The engine note isn’t as impressive as its predecessor’s naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 (replaced in 2018 with the current engine) but the performance is, with track ready suspension and steering as standard, and some impressive upgrades if you opt for the Competition model. Manually adjustable coilovers and a low ride height ensure you hug every road, and the luxury interior featuring rich materials and high-tech equipment make every trip a delight.

3 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Raw Mid-Engine Power

While the C8 Corvette Stingray may not be as luxurious as the BMW M4, it trades smooth lines and creature comforts for raw power and excitement. Unlike the other naturally aspirated V-8 in the list, the C8 is a mid-engine supercar with a little less luxury and a whole lot more bang for your buck. While the C8 doesn’t come with a manual transmission, the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is responsive and fast and the large paddle shifters keep you in control.

Performance Specifications

The top 3LT option gives you a stylish interior with carbon fiber highlights, and plenty of tech from Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 Plus system. That being said, you aren’t buying a C8 Stingray for the Bluetooth audio; this is a car begging to tear along a drag strip or scream around a racetrack, shown by the focus on performance and handling.

2 Mercedes-AMG C63

The Yin to BMW’s Yang

The logical guess when you think of an alternative to a performance BMW is of course Mercedes-AMG. Depending on which model of C63 you get, you’ll have one of two very different engine configurations. The current model features a new 2.0-liter inline-four with a turbocharger inspired by the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 setup. This is paired with an electric motor for a whopping 670 horsepower, outstripping the BMW M4 by quite a margin.\

Performance Specifications

However, the previous iteration of the C63 was home to the monstrous twin-turbo 4-liter V-8 and if you’re looking for a thrilling drive that’s the direction you’ll want to go. The car is loaded with luxury features as to be expected from Mercedes, but its real focus is performance, so you’ll get features like AMG Ride Control suspension and a limited-slip rear differential for ultimate control.

RELATED: 10 Things You Need To Know About The New, Controversial Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance

1 BMW E92 M3

The Older Brother Of The M4

Is putting the E92 M3 at the top of the list cheating? Well, when it comes to cars that are just as thrilling as the M4, there really isn’t a better comparison. After all, the M4 is a spin-off from the original M3 line. In 2013, BMW gave their E90 model structure a shake-up and opted to split the coupe and convertible body styles into the new M4 badge, keeping the saloon and touring models under the M3 name. The E90 generation featured the only V-8 ever in an M3, heavily inspired by the BMW Sauber Formula 1 team’s eight-cylinder.

Performance Specifications

The E92 also featured BMW’s first seven-speed dual clutch transmission, or for driving purists, a manual six-speed was still available as an option. While there may not be too much difference in terms of performance between the E92 M3 and the M4, in terms of thrill behind the wheel the E92 is louder and meaner with a whole lot more grunt.