When the X6 broke cover, it stirred up a range of emotions, but regardless of what you think of that design, underneath that shell is a brilliantly tuned car with driving dynamics to match.
Is the BMW X4 a marmite car? Love or hate it, the X4 is here to stay and, if the X6 is anything to go by, it will sell like hot cakes. Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this beholder is growing to like the X6.
Back to the X4. Yes, it resembles the X6 but it drives like a sportier version of the X3, unsurprisingly, considering it is built on the X3 platform. BMW classes this vehicle as a SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) just like the X6 and it has a similar coupe-esque shape too, but this is largely where the similarities end.
While the X4 is based on the X3, it has more road presence thanks to the large air intakes positioned on the outer edges of the front end and its lower centre of gravity. The sporty appeal is further enhanced by the fog lamps sitting below the signature twin headlights.
So, has it got what it takes to beat the Porsche Macan or the Range Rover Evoque?
Performance
BMW vehicles excel when it comes to driving dynamics and the X4 is no different. Right from the off, the X4 wants to run. Feather the accelerator and the X4 almost goes down on the haunches and then launches into the road – it really is a compelling drive.
On test, we roared around the countryside with the 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW X4 xDrive30d mated to a standard eight-speed Sport automatic transmission.
It’s pacey too, producing 254bhp at 4,000rpm while peak torque comes out at 560Nm from as low as 1,500rpm. That torque is what this car is all about; the power right from the off feels phenomenal – the X4 doesn’t feel like a bulky SAV but more like a sporty family hatch. Given its dimensions and looks, that’s quite an achievement. The powerful unit will propel this car to 62mph from a standing start in 5.8 seconds and it will go on to a top speed of 145mph.
From launch, the new BMW X4 will be available with a choice of three diesel engines. These include the new xDrive20d 2.0-litre diesel engine which develops 187bhp and a peak torque 400Nm. This unit will complete the zero to 62mph sprint in 8.0 seconds and is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox while having a top speed of 132mph.
The flagship engine, the xDrive35d, tops the BMW X4 line-up. The 3.0-litre diesel delivers 308bhp and has a peak torque of 630Nm on tap from between 1,500 and 2,500rpm. This means it can complete the benchmark sprint in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 153mph.
Ride and Handling
Refinement is good and the turbo whistle filtering into the cabin will have you smiling from ear to ear. Surprisingly, ride comfort is very good too.
There are not many manufacturers which make cars to outshine a BMW when it comes to driving dynamics. The X range is where the maker has had its biggest challenge but when the X6 came out, it surprised many by being so good and the X4, well it’s even better. The boffins at Beemer just get it. They know what it takes to build a car that not only drives brilliantly but also how important it is to feed that back to the driver. The X4 has leapt to the top of the class alongside the Porsche Macan. Even for a car of this size, bodyroll is minimal thanks to its relatively low centre of gravity and its cornering is first class. Refinement is good and the turbo whistle filtering into the cabin will have you smiling from ear to ear. Surprisingly, ride comfort is very good too. In fact it’s even better than an Audi A7 that we had on test to take us to the launch. All BMW X4 models come with a sporty suspension set-up and BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Interior and Equipment
The X4 is built exclusively in the USA. Assembly specifically takes place at BMW’s sole American plant located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
If you are familiar with BMW models then the interior of the new X4 will not come as a shock. Don’t get me wrong, it’s plush and the switchgear and plastics are all of a high quality but it is not exactly innovative. The cabin is, however, driver-focused and for most X4 drivers, this will be exactly what the doctor ordered. Created on the X3 platform, the driver and front passenger sit 20mm lower while the rear passengers are seated 28mm lower than in a BMW X3. This change to the centre of gravity has made the car one of the best vehicles to drive in its class. In the rear, that coupe-esque roofline may not endear those over six foot but all-in-all there is ample room for rear-most passengers. The rear can seat three passengers, however, the middle seat is better suited to small children. The X4 has a load space of 500 litres with the seats in place and when folded this expands to 1,400 litres. The Porsche Macan is identical to the BMW X4 with the seats in place but offers 100 additional litres with rear seats folded, while the five-door Range Rover Evoque has 575 litres (seats up) and 1,445 litres (seats down).Three trims are offered with the X4. The entry-level SE comes with an automatic opening tailgate, Variable Sport Steering, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, front and rear Park Distance Control, Performance Control and Xenon headlights, 40:20:40split-folding rear seats, a Sport leather steering wheel, Heated front seats and BMW Business Media package. xLine adds 18-inch light-alloy wheels, satin aluminium exterior trim, sport seats and exclusive xLine leather upholstery. Our test car came in M Sport and comes with M Aerodynamic bodystyling, high-gloss Shadow Line trim exterior trim and exclusive 19-inch M Sport light-alloy wheels, M Sport suspension, M door sill finishers, Sport seats and an aluminium hexagon interior trim.
Cost
The most expensive model to run will be the flagship xDrive 35D M Sport. This is priced from £48,995, emits 157g/km of CO2 and averages a claimed 47.1mpg.
The most cost-effective car will be the xDrive 20D as it emits 138g/km of CO2 when mated to the automatic gearbox and averages 54.3mpg. This car starts from £36,595. The most expensive model to run will be the flagship xDrive 35D M Sport. This is priced from £48,995, emits 157g/km of CO2 and averages a claimed 47.1mpg. Considering that the similar-sized but more practical BMW X3 starting price is over £5,000 less in comparison, you’re really going to have to buy into the niche styling of the X4.
Our Verdict
The BMW X4 will become a mainstay in the German range. The UK loves utility vehicles; whether they are SUV or Sports Activity makes little difference but what does make the difference is driving dynamics. And those moving out of a 3 Series and wanting something more dynamic than an X3 will found an answer in the X4. Admittedly, the styling may not be to everyone’s taste but the X4 is one the best cars in the sector. Can it be described as a joy to drive? Oh yes, this Beemer is going to make a lot of enthusiasts looking for a Sport Activity Vehicle very happy indeed.