The style is more and more significant in the automotive universe, so niches are building up in car manufacturers’ lineup. BMW X4 is therefore not a shocking presence, or, at least, shouldn’t be. It’s basically a mini-BMW X6, based on the X3.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Strong Points
- It Has Great Engines
- Attitude-Infused Body
Recommended Versions
- Xdrive20D
Cons
Weak Points
- It’s Not Quite Practical
- Might Not Conquer Too Many Hearts With The Looks
Stay Away From
- The Option List
Attention
Known Problems & Recalls
- None So Far
CAR DETAILS
Drive
Powertrain
While the US adopt two of the most powerful petrol engines available for the X4 — xDrive28i and xDrive35i —, in the UK only diesels are brought: 20d, 30d and 35d.
The petrol engine line-up is completed by an entry-level xDrive20i with [[kw:135]] and is topped by a most powerful M40i version, with [[kw:265]] and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. 20d aside, every engine comes coupled to the 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.
It’s hard to say any of the engine choices is a bad one — although the M40i might be a bit overkill —, anything you’ll get under your hood will not disappoint you a bit.
Handling
Although it shares the platform with its more decent sibling X3, the X4 sits a little bit lower on the ground. That grants him more agility on twisty roads, a thing you don’t necessarily expect from a SAC (Sports Activity Vehicle that is).
Part of the „agile” attribute is the all-wheel-drive xDrive system, that transfers up to 100 percent of torque to any of axles, if needed (from a default 40/60 front/back setup).
At the same time, it has enough ground clearance to give you confidence on forest roads, for example.
Safety
In BMW tradition, the safety chapter is well covered from the start (regardless the equipment level): you get airbags all-around, run flat tires, DSC, and DTC electronic aids, tire pressure monitor, etc.
Of course, you can add a lot more safety/comfort features such as Head-up Display, High-Beam Assistant or Lane Departure Warning. All you need is to consult the options list.
Interior
Comfort
One of the SUVs perks is the ride comfort, and the X4 does not make an exception. The double wishbone suspension at the front and the multilink setup for the back axle cope with most of the surface irregularities, although it can get stiffly if you’re in Sport Mode (with the optional adaptive suspension hardened and all).
Otherwise, even with the biggest wheels on (20-inch diameter, that is) delivers satisfactory levels of comfort — it’s well soundproofed also.
Quality
You’re looking at a premium product, so you won’t be disappointed in what you’re finding inside the bold exterior lines. It’s a BMW, so the driver-oriented dash is there, covered in durable materials and excellent finishes.
Add some fine Nevada leather on the seats and some polished Fineline wood trim, and the cabin will be as posh as flashy the exterior is.
There are alternative solutions — a subtle mix of fabric and Pearlpoint leather, or the Sensatec synthetic leather for the seats, for example — and it all depends on how much money you want to spend with your mini-X6 Sports Activity Vehicle.
Practicality
Beauty takes sacrifices sometimes, right? Well, while its coupé-ish design might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the plunged roofline remains a factual sacrifice in space.
That doesn’t mean its rear seats are unusable — there’s plenty of room for knees and shoulders, and only the tall passengers will feel the lack of head space. Add a third passenger in the back and the things might get a little bit too tighten for comfort.
In terms of storage spaces, the X4’s boot is only 50 liters short of the X3’s, the difference increasing once you’ve flattened the 40:20:40 rear bench: 200 liters. So, despite its chopped roof, the X4 has 500 liters of space in the boot, a figure that can be extended to 1,400 liters. It’s not bad, but its openness makes it a bit impractical for loading tall objects.
Infotainment
You can connect your smartphone with the iDrive through USB or Bluetooth — features that come standard, along with the 6.5-inch display and the 100-watt audio system.
But the cabin can become techies’ paradise, with a Touch iDrive controller through which you can control pretty much all the car settings, shown on an 8.8” TFT display that can also be a TV screen.
BMW Professional sat-nav, head-up display, Harman/Kardon surround sound — you can have it all, as long as you show now mercy ticking the options list.
Budget
Efficiency
In the US, of course, the most fuel efficient is the xDrive28i, with its 32.2 mpg and 169 g/km CO2 figures. On the markets where diesel is available, the best-seller will probably be the xDrive20d — showing 43.5 mpg and 143 g/km CO2, along with 295 lb-ft of torque.
Equipment
The standard equipment is pretty impressive — you’ll get automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors, xenon lights, a leather-covered steering wheel, and an electrically powered tailgate regardless the Line you’re opting for.
But watch out for the options list — much of the features found there will feed nothing more than your ego and will depreciate painfully heavy.
Acquisition
The brain says no, but the heart says yes — and that’s how you just bought yourself a new X4. It’s more expensive than an X3 and, on paper, does not prove himself more useful than its originative sibling. It exists, so it means someone wants it.
On the bright side — if you surrender to your stylish ego — it uses the same platform with the X3, so it means it has proven already its reliability.