BMW X4 20d 2018 review
Take a look, drink it all in. It won’t be long before you know whether the BMW X4 is right for you.
That’s because this machine is part car, part fashion statement. Based on the third-generation BMW X3 wagon, the second-generation four-door X4 is a stylish spinoff for those who want a little more style from their luxury SUV - or in BMW parlance, a Sports Activity Coupe.
Sharp-looking alloys, a rakish roofline and pert rear end bring more than a touch of glam to the platform.
But there’s more to this car than its silhouette.
- Stylish looks
- Dynamic focus
- Interior presentation
- Inner-city ride
- Rear seat space
- Expensive options
Is it right for me?
Does the styling work for you? If not, the more conventional, conservative and practical X3 might be a better bet. Or even the regular 3-Series sedan, which is about to arrive in next-gen form threatening to shake up the junior executive car segment.
But those who are drawn to the X4’s looks have four models to choose from - all loaded up with M Sport bodykits, all-wheel-drive and a reasonable dose of standard equipment. There are three petrol variants, starting with the entry-level, 135kW/290Nm X4 xDrive20i for $76,900, the mid-range X4 xDrive30i with 185kW and 350Nm for $83,900 and a range-topping, six-cylinder, $109,900 X4 M40i with 265kW and 500Nm outputs set to be topped by a proper X4M high-performance version in 2019.
Sitting on its own is a single diesel variant, the X4 xDrive20d tested here.
Can I afford it ?
Priced from $79,900 plus on-road costs, the diesel X4 is a touch dearer than the cheapest petrol model and a neat $10,000 more than an equivalent X3 with the same engine. Our test example was an altogether less reasonable $92,150 plus on-road costs, wearing options such as an $2200 innovations package with smart keys, adaptive headlights, wireless phone charging and a digital dash, $1950 in metallic paint, $1700 for 20-inch alloy wheels, $300 for grey wooden interior elements, a $3000 panoramic sunroof, $600 in front lumbar support and $2500 for red leather trim.
What do you get for your money?
Standard kit for the diesel X4 (and its four-cylinder petrol sibling) includes an eight-speed automatic transmission, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a head-up display system, three-zone climate control with front and rear digital displays, and driver aids including mild autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and more. The $10,000 gulf separating the X4 from the equivalent X3 is partly accounted for by sporty BMW M bits such as adaptive suspension, an exterior bodykit, better-bolstered seats paired with a chubby steering wheel and a 10.25-inch digital display loaded up with upgraded navigation and a 360-degree camera.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Rather than containing owners to set time or distance intervals, BMW offers condition-based servicing which determines maintenance according to how the car is driven. The brand has two “service inclusive” packs to choose from - a basic treatment which includes fluids, filters, spark plugs and checkups for $1495, and a more comprehensive deal which includes new brake discs and pads among other elements for $4400.
Is it well built?
Though Spartanburg sounds like it might be a teutonic town up the road from BMW’s Munich headquarters, the site responsible for assembling the X4 is in South Carolina, USA. You’ll struggle to notice quality differences between BMWs built in the States, Germany or South Africa, though you might spot cost-saving measures such as hard plastics in lower cabin areas and wider-than-usual gaps surrounding elements like the glove box.
What are the Standout features?
As mentioned previously, you get a lot of gear in the X4 as standard - many brands will make you pay extra for adaptive suspension, a head-up display, sports seats and a body kit. Then again, BMW is rare in charging a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay connectivity - tech you get for free in a Hyundai hatchback costs $623 in the X4.
What does it have that others don't?
The real feather in BMW’s cap is the X4’s design, which might just be the most successful interpretation of the SUV coupe to date. While other machines tend to adopt an ungainly hunchback silhouette, the X4’s looks are far more cohesive to our eyes, helped by blade-like slimline tail lamps which accentuate the car’s width.
How practical is it?
The trade-off to such a style-led approach is there’s less headroom in the rear than the conventional X3, and you can’t stack cargo quite as high in the boot.
Is it comfortable?
Then again, people spending extra cash on the X4 are looking for something more than a practical box on wheels. Equipped as standard with black leather seats trimmed by contrasting blue stitching, our test example’s Tacora Red leather trim with grey thread looks properly special, offset beautifully by marbled woodgrain trim and piano black elements. BMW backs its claim to sportiness with an ideal driving position - one that seems to place you a little lower in the car than the X3 - along with a chunky steering wheel and well-placed controls. It’s a comfortable place to be.
Easy in, easy out?
A higher ride height compared to a 3-Series sedan or 4-Series coupe makes entry and egress easier on the bod in the X4. You might also appreciate the raised boot edge for the tailgate, which means you don’t have to stoop to lift heavy stuff out of the cargo bay.
Space and versatility?
The X4’s boot sizes up at 525 litres, just 25 litres less than the X3. But the gap between them widens when you fold the seats flat and treat each car like a removal van, with the X4 giving away close to 170 litres compared to its more practical cousin. Still, the X4’s boot space is generous enough in day-to-day use, easily accommodating most luggage.
What's the engine like?
Intriguingly, BMW only offers the X4 in diesel form in the right-hand-drive UK market, which gets a choice of three oil-burning powerplants. Here, the diesel donk is something of a sideshow to three sweet petrol engines. The new, all-aluminium 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel under the X4’s bonnet uses a twin-scroll turbo to serve up a sturdy 140kW of power at 4000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm. Fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive, the combination is good for an eight-second dash to 100km/h, which matches the equivalent X3 and undercuts the cheapest petrol variant by 0.3 seconds.
That’s not particularly quick these days, lending the X4 middle-of-the-road real-world performance, and a lot less grunt than range-topping petrol variants. But it is reasonably quiet and refined, delivering smooth and effortless torque in day-to-day running.
How much fuel does it consume?
BMW says the diesel X4 uses 5.8L/100km in combined running - two full litres less than the equivalent petrol version - but you can expect to use a little more in the real world.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
Let’s get the tricky bit out of the way first: taut suspension and run-flat tyres lend the X4 a ride that sits on the firm side of comfortable. Feeling sharp in many circumstances and downright brittle on patchy roads, the X4’s sporting bent results in a ride which falls short of rivals such as air-suspended examples of the Volvo XC60.
Multi-mode shock absorbers help the cause somewhat, but customers should steer clear of the sports setting in urban environments unless they’re coming out of a Subaru WRX lowered using eBay coilovers.
We’ll also raise a whinge about BMW charging extra for a Driving Assistant Plus pack which brings full autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and lane keeping assistance - again, that’s stuff you get on the cheapest Toyota Corolla for free.
While the BMW X3 is available as a front-wheel-drive machine, product planners have positioned the X4 as a sharper drivers’ tool, lending it all-wheel-drive, those variable shocks and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles as standard.
The X4 brings a precision to its steering and brakes likely to be welcomed by keen drivers, along with a well-calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission that does a great job keeping the engine on the boil.
It feels crisp and engaging on the road, bringing a more involving (if less plush) driving experience than most models in this class.
Does it perform as you expect?
In one word? Yes. The X4 delivers the sort of driving and ownership experience we expect from a sportier, more stylish SUV spinoff. Beautifully presented, engaging to drive and reasonably well-equipped, the X4 presents a convincing argument for those who want more from their luxury crossover.
BMW X4 xDrive20d pricing and specifications:
Price: From $79,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power: 140kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 400Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto, all-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 5.8L/100km