Home Manufacturers News BMW 2026 BMW 420i Convertible | Car Review

2026 BMW 420i Convertible | Car Review

16th June 2026

When the new BMW 4 series launched a few years ago, the looks were controversial to say the least. People didn’t like the massive grilles, the “beaver-looking” headlights, and the fact it had returned to an “inferior” soft top roof.

But since then, the 4 series has received a facelift which has softened the harsh styling, and today, it’s proving to be a rather competent all rounder for those looking for a new BMW with a bit of flair.

What We Like and Dislike About the 2026 BMW 420i Convertible

Likes	Dislikes
The design has grown on us Very comfortable Beautifully finished interior Decent implementation of technology Handling and feedback	Could do with more power Haptic climate controls Rather expensive

What’s in the 2026 BMW 420i Range?

The 2026 BMW 420i Convertible serves as the main open-top model in BMW’s line-up for the New Zealand market. Rather than splitting the vehicle into entirely separate structural tiers, BMW New Zealand offers a single primary vehicle base model. Buyers then customise the car through a structured hierarchy of bundled factory specification packages.

Base Model & Powertrain Specs

The entry point is the BMW 420i Convertible M Sport, which carries a standard retail price starting from $123,900. This base setup is surprisingly generous for the local market, including the M Sport package as a baseline standard alongside adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, 19-inch alloy wheels, and premium leather upholstery.

Under the bonnet, all 420i specification variants share the exact same mechanical package:

Engine: 2.0-litre (1,998 cc) turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine.
Outputs: 135 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque.
Drivetrain: Eight-speed automatic transmission sending power exclusively to the rear wheels (RWD).
Performance: 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds, with a combined fuel economy rating of 6.9L to 7.6L per 100 km (depending on standard test weight configurations).

Major Specification Differences & Costs

While the core mechanicals remain identical, the major differences across the vehicle variants lie in how you choose to step up your tech and styling through the available add-on specification paths:

The Baseline M Sport Setup ($123,900): This variant features traditional LED headlights, Alpine White standard paint, an M steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, and BMW’s massive curved infotainment display.
The Enhancement Package ($129,600 total / +$5,700): Stepping into this specification level significantly upgrades the car’s visual presence and cabin audio. The major differences include a swap to BMW’s new Adaptive LED headlights (the most distinct visual change for the 2026 facelift), a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system, factory metallic paintwork, and a built-in tyre pressure monitoring system.
The M Sport Pro Package ($132,300 total / +$2,700 over Enhancement): For buyers wanting the ultimate athletic look, BMW allows you to add the M Sport Pro specification package. However, there is a catch: you must also purchase the Enhancement Package to unlock it. This top-tier spec introduces high-performance red M sport brakes, darkened shadowline exterior lights, and unique M Sport seatbelts.

Depending on individual dealer delivery options, premium individual paint choices (like Dravit Grey or Fire Red metallic), and unique interior combinations (such as Vernasca leather with red highlights or CraftedClarity glass controls), high-spec “drive-away” versions of the 420i Convertible in New Zealand local showrooms generally range between $129,600 and $133,300.

2026 BMW 420i Colour Range

In New Zealand, the colour options for the 2026 BMW 420i Convertible are categorized into standard solid paint, standard metallic options (depending on your option package), and premium Individual paints.

Non-Metallic (No Additional Cost)

Alpine White: This is the baseline standard, solid non-metallic colour. If you buy the entry-level M Sport variant without any add-on option packages, this is the only color that incurs $0 in additional factory charges.

Metallic Paint Options

For a standard 420i base build, upgrading to a metallic paint standalone usually incurs a cost of $2,000. However, if you opt for the Enhancement Package, the cost of these metallic paints is completely bundled into that package price.

Fire Red Metallic (New for the 2026 facelift and our test car’s colour)
Cape York Green Metallic
M Portimao Blue Metallic
Black Sapphire Metallic
Mineral White Metallic
M Brooklyn Grey Metallic

BMW Individual Paint Options (Premium Cost)

For buyers looking for highly distinctive finishes, BMW offers its premium Individual paint palette. Because these require a specialised application process at the factory, they carry a premium charge regardless of whether you have selected the Enhancement or M Sport Pro packages.

Dravit Grey Metallic: $3,500
Tanzanite Blue Metallic: $3,500
Frozen Pure Grey (Matte Finish): $6,500
Frozen Portimao Blue (Matte Finish): $6,500

What’s the Competition for the 2026 BMW 420i Convertible?

The 2026 BMW 420i Convertible occupies a highly specific and increasingly rare position in New Zealand’s automotive market, essentially acting as one of the last remaining pillars of the traditional, sub-$150,000 premium four-seat European drop-tops. With the absolute cancellation of the Audi A5 Convertible globally and the aging of the traditional Mercedes-Benz C-Class cabriolets, the 420i’s primary head-to-head rival in Kiwi showrooms is the newer, larger Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet.

However, while the CLE Cabriolet commands a loftier starting price point around $137,500 by pushing into a higher tier of power and all-wheel drive, BMW has strategically positioned the 420i Convertible as a more financially accessible luxury cruiser starting at $123,900. It doesn’t try to compete with high-octane muscle like the Ford Mustang GT Convertible or pure-bred sports cars like the Porsche 718 Boxster. Instead, the 420i secures its market position by capitalising on elegance, a prestigious visual presence that outpunches its mechanical spec sheet, and the sheer lack of competing open-air options on New Zealand shores.

Make / Model	Power / Torque (kW / Nm)	0-100 km/h (seconds)	Boot Space (litres)	Price
Porsche 718 Boxster Base	220 / 380	4.9	275	$152,000
Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC Cabriolet	190 / 400	6.6	385	$137,700
BMW 420i Convertible M Sport (Focus Car)	135 / 300	8.2	385	$123,900
Ford Mustang GT Convertible V8	345 / 550	4.8	322	$99,990
Mazda MX-5 RF Limited	135 / 205	6.8	127	$74,500

Please note that DriveLife does its best to ensure the information above is correct at the time of publication, however, prices, specifications and models can change over time. Please bear that in mind when comparing models in the comparison table.