Yesterday, BMW debuted its latest facelift, or LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) in BMW speak, for the the BMW 4 Series. This facelift made slight improvements, though nothing dramatic, to an already very good looking car. Now, the BMW 4 Series is better looking than ever and ready to take on the new Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe for the next few years, until the next model comes out.

However, BMW’s LCI treatment can sometimes be difficult to spot. It usually doesn’t involve a ton of dramatic changes, with just some headlight and taillight tweaks, as well as some interior changes. But, the pre-facelift 4 Series was already great looking, so it didn’t need much. Still, though, let’s take a look at the differences between the two.

The headlights are the biggest difference between the two cars. On the old car, you can see the sort of ovular twin circle lights, which look seriously dated after seeing the new ones. The facelifted headlights feature a hexagonal design with hinged ridges and they look far better, far more premium. They also look more aggressive, angrier, which fits the sporty nature of the 4 Series. These new headlights are also Bi-LED as standard, with Full LED as optional equipment.

BMW 4 Series Photo Gallery

Out back, the taillights are now completely LED as standard and look very good, very fluid. They also feature BMW’s classic L-shape design. It’s funny how we never thought the 4 Series’ taillights looked dull before, until we saw these new lights. They look far better and far more premium.

Inside, not a lot has changed, but enough to give it a fresh look. Obviously, it gets BMW’s latest iteration of iDrive, which comes with its new tile-optics layout and updated graphics. Despite the pre-facelift 4 Series’ iDrive being fantastic, this new system is even better still. But the big change is the gauge cluster. What was previously a typical BMW instrument binnacle, with tach, speedo, temp and fuel gauges, this new cluster is almost completely digital. The tach and speedo are replaced with fully digital gauges that can change their look depending on which mode you’re in. While these are very cool and look great, does anyone else miss proper gauges with needles? There’s something so satisfying about seeing a physical needle swing around the tach and speedo.

In terms of handling and dynamics, the new 4 Series facelift comes with some new suspension as well. BMW has managed to make the suspension both firmer and sportier while also being more comfortable. No small feat, considering the 4 Series was already a great handling and riding sports car. This suspension comes on both the 4 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe models. BMW has also fitted slightly revised steering, to improve communication through the steering wheel and better straight-line stability. This worked wonders in the 3 Series, so we’re hoping for good things in the 4er.

Overall, BMW seems to have done a good job with the 4 Series’ facelift. Not much needed to be done to the 4 Series to make it better looking, so BMW did just enough to enhance and already pretty car. Combine that with some new tech and new suspension and BMW should have a real winner on its hands.