BMW is leaving no stone un-turned in its efforts to fill every possible premium market automotive niche with desirable products. Here's another one - an improved take on the second generation version of the company's fashionable X4. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

BMW still tells us this second generation X4 model, here usefully improved, is a 'sports coupe'. Whatever your take on that, this sporting crossover is certainly an interesting take on fashionable family motoring. If you can afford the fee, it's a tempting take on the mid-sized premium-badged SUV genre and if you like the looks, then you'll probably like everything else because it's pure BMW. It's even a little more practical than you might expect. True, the world may not need another car like this - but you certainly might.

Background

If you're at all familiar with the Munich maker's model line-up, then you'll get the idea behind this car immediately. In 2008, the company brought us a design they badged as the 'X6', a kind of sportier coupe-like version of their established X5 luxury SUV. Against the odds, the X6 has since been a profitable car for the brand, so in 2014, the same concept was down-sized with the first generation X4, a sportier coupe-like version of the squarer, more practical X3 compact SUV. This second generation X4 first arrived in 2018, very much a refinement of the original, with slightly lighter weight, sharper looks, a classier cabin and a greater level of media and autonomous driving tech. With this revised model, MHEV mild hybrid engine tech has been introduced and cabin quality takes a big leap forward. And there's also a properly potent 'M Competition' petrol flagship variant for the first time equipped to take the fight to road-burning rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe 63.

Driving Experience

As before, the X4 range focuses on diesel power, though it's now diesel power with BMW's latest 48V mild hybrid engine tech included. Most buyers, as before, are likely to opt for the volume xDrive 20d variant with its familiar 190hp 2.0-litre black pump-fuelled engine. Next up in the range is the six cylinder xDrive30d, now with 286hp. This engine also comes in 340hp form with the M40d model. There's also an M Performance petrol-powered variant, the six cylinder M40i, with 360hp. Plus there's a 'full M' range-topping 510hp X4 M Competition variant to take on rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe 63 4MATIC+. All model variants direct their engine's power to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and feature BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard. The standard-fit Driving Experience Control switch lets drivers choose from SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO set-ups, while six cylinder models also add a SPORT+ mode. You certainly won't lack for performance. Even the base xDrive20d variant manages 62mph from rest in 7.9s en route to 132mph, figures the six cylinder xDrive30d improves substantially to 5.7s and 152mph. For the M40d and M40i, you're looking at 4.9s and 155mph. BMW has tuned the suspension of the X4 to offer a more focused feel than that of the X3 and the intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system splits drive between the rear wheels continuously, plus as required, optimising traction, turn-in and directional stability. The Variable Sport Steering system is fitted as standard and an xDrive status display makes a bid for what might be the most gratuitous use of graphics in a car with the three-dimensional display of the car's body roll and pitch.

Design and Build

This updated version of the second generation model gains a smarter look, courtesy of a larger front kidney grille with a mesh finish. It's flanked by now-flatter headlights that now have standard adaptive LED beams and there's a revised front bumper with a re-styled lower apron. The typical BMW proportions with long bonnet, flat windscreen and long wheelbase give the X4 an elongated, sporty appearance. It's 55mm lower than the brand's X3, longer by 43mm and 27mm wider. Featuring revised LED rear lights with a three-dimensional design, emphasising the vehicle width, the rear section now has a more clear-cut shape, with a smarter rear apron and wide free-form tailpipe trims. Inside, the twin-screened 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional' set-up is now standard. That brings a 12.3-inch instrument binnacle display and the 'BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant', a voice control system responding to the command 'Hey BMW'. 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is now (at last) standard. And the infotainment set-up now updates itself with 'over-the-air' upgrades, so you'll get into your X4 one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before. Three full-size seats are fitted in the rear compartment and headroom's not as compromised as you might think by the coupe-style roof line. Don't expect to get quite as much boot space as in an X3 but 525-litres should be enough and there's the versatility of 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, plus the standard-fit automatically opening tailgate makes loading easy. Fold the rear bench and there's 1,430-litres of space.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £49,000 for the base xDrive20d; you'll need around £5,000 more for the six cylinder xDrive30d diesel. These figures represent a bit of a step up from the previous generation line-up. But BMW seems very confident it'll continue to find buyers for the X4. The top diesel variant the M40d costs just over £61,000. The top petrol variant, the M40i costs just under £62,000. At least it's not as if this Munich model needs a whole lot of extras. All X4 models feature Vernasca leather upholstery and automatic air conditioning with three-zone control is also standard across the range, allowing separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger as well as separate climate control at the rear. Whichever variant you select, it'll be easy to spend more than you budgeted or, thanks to a wider range of tempting options. Optional perforated leather climate seats will be popular, perhaps fitted out with active seat ventilation. Another option is a generously sized panoramic glass roof, while optional acoustic front side windows will complement the standard acoustic windscreen glazing to help create even lower noise levels in the cabin. Another interesting option is the BMW Display Key. Fuel level, remaining range and service information are all shown on its 2.2-inch touch display, while the key can also be used to lock the doors, close the windows and operate the optional auxiliary heating system. 

Cost of Ownership

If you've heard talk that diesel engines are planet-polluting brutes, then shelve that for a moment while you examine the black pump-fuelled powerplants on offer here because they're nothing like that. The mild hybrid technology now used in all available X4 combustion engines draws on a powerful 48-volt starter generator and an additional battery, so it has significantly expanded possibilities when it comes to brake energy recuperation. The energy obtained by means of recuperation and stored in the 48-volt battery is also used to supply the 12-volt electrical system and the electrically-operated vehicle functions connected to it. Enough with the tech; what about the WLTP figures? Well, the X4 xDrive20d variant most will choose manages up to 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 153g/km of CO2. Move up to the six cylinder xDrive30d model and you're looking at up to 46.3mpg and 159g/km. Even the M40d manages 42.8mpg and 168g/km. Want to know about the petrol M40i model? Well that returns 32.5mpg and 202g/km. Unlike the X3, there are no Plug-in PHEV or EV drivetrain options. What else might you need to know? Well, routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. You can check all of this using menus in the 'iDrive' centre-dash display and the car will give you four weeks' notice of when a check-up is needed so you have plenty of time to book it. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

Inevitably, a model of this kind will continually divide opinion. The people who don't like it will tell you to buy a cheaper, more practical X3 - but then they're probably the same people who can't see the point of anything prioritising style over substance. In any case, this improved X4 does have substance to its proposition - at least when it comes to efficiency, quality and low running costs. It's even reasonably spacious and practical. Don't be dissuaded then, if you'd like one. This may not be quite the sharpest dynamic contender in its segment but it's still an astonishingly rewarding steer for something based on SUV underpinnings. Yes, there's an element of compromise in its packaging but the world would be a dull place if we only bought cars on a pragmatic basis. File this one under 'unexpectedly likeable'.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated windscreen washer jets

Green tinted heat insulating glass

Windscreen wipers with adjustable interval

Rain sensor + automatic driving lights control

Acoustic glass

Electric front and rear windows with fingertip open/close + anti-trap facility and comfort closing function

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Brakes

Ventilated front and rear disc brakes

Automatic Stability Control (ASC)

Hill descent control

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Dynamic brake control

Electromechanical parking brake

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Hill start assist

ADB - Automatic Differential Brake

Brake energy regeneration

Brake drying

Braking pre-tensioning

Dynamic stability control + (DSC+)

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

M sport suspension

Five link rear suspension

Drive performance control - ECO PRO, comfort and sport modes

Double joint spring strut front axle

Communication

Bluetooth with USB audio interface + audio streaming

Driver Aids

Servotronic system

Variable sports power steering

Attentiveness assist

Active Guard Plus incl front collision warning with brake intervention

Driver Convenience

Driving experience switch

Electric bootlid

Automatic operation of tailgate

Driver Information

BMW Teleservices

Optimum shift indicator

Instrument cluster with speedometer with mph readout, tachometer, fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge

Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warning

Brake pad wear indicator in front and rear

On board computer - average speed+fuel consumption,service interval, clock date,odometer,trip meter,outside temperature display with acoustic ice warn

Lights on warning by audio warning signal when ignition is switched off

iDrive Controller with 8 favourite buttons

Oil sensor for level and grade, warning by check control system

Personal Profile - automatic lock when driving away selectable

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 12.3" instrument display with Intelligent Voice Assistant

Condition based service - BMW service history, electronic service booklet, integrated owner's handbook

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors

Body colour mirror caps

Electro-chrome auto-dimming rear view mirror

Direction indicator, side repeaters, integrated in exterior mirrors

Electric folding wing mirrors with auto dimming

Mirror base in black matt

Automatic parking function on passenger's side exterior mirror

Tinted passenger side exterior mirror

Electrochromic driver side exterior mirror

Engine

Diesel particulate filter

Performance Control

Larger capacity fuel tank

EU6 emissions management

Common rail technology

Twin scroll turbocharger with variable vane geometry

Entertainment

BMW professional radio/CD/MP3

DAB tuner

2x USB Type C ports in front centre console for charging and data transfer

2x USB Type C ports in rear centre console for charging

Exterior Body Features

Body colour roof spoiler

Black finish on B pillars

Body colour door handles

Body coloured bumpers

BBody colour roof mouldings

Shark fin antenna

Visible VIN plate

Model designation

Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements

Chrome kidney grille with high gloss black vertical slats

Door sill strips

Lightweight engineering

High gloss shadow line exterior trim

High gloss black front door sill finishers with BMW designation

M designation side exterior badges

Glacier silver metallic matt in side sills

Gloss chrome tailpipes finishers

Energy absorbing foam within the front bumper

Rear side wing doors

Chrome exhaust tailpipes in split left and right

Exterior Lights

Reversing lights

Dynamic brake lights

LED rear lights

Headlight beam throw control

Follow me home headlight function

LED High level third brake light

Full LED L shape 3D tailights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

3 zone automatic air conditioning

Microfilter and active carbon filter

Interior Features

Anthracite headlining

Reach + rake adjustable steering column

Front centre armrest with storage compartment

Leather gear knob

Rear centre armrest with 2 cupholders

Toolkit located in luggage compartment

M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel

Lockable glove compartment

Storage tray and compartment with cover in centre console

12V power socket in front storage compartment

Front and rear side armrests integrated into door trim

Two front cupholders with removable oddments tray/lid

Front and rear bottle holders integrated into door trim storage compartments

Parcel shelf removable and storable under boot floor

Through loading system

Storage compartment in rear centre console and front/rear door trims

12V power socket in front centre console

Foldable storage floor with compartment

Interior Lights

Front/rear reading lights

Luggage compartment lighting

Front and rear door exit lights

Make-up mirror lights

Storage compartment lighting in front center armrest

Visual exit area and front and rear door recognition

Front and rear footwell lighting

Welcome light (no extra light) with illumination in the colour white

Packs

Non Smokers pack

Connected package pro - X4

Ambient lighting pack - X4

M Aerodynamic pack - X4

Safety

Driver/front passenger airbag

Side impact protection

Front seatbelt force limiters

3 point seatbelts on all seats

Twin horns

Warning triangle and first aid kit

BMW emergency call

Battery safety cut-off

Deactivation of fuel pump in the event of a crash

Child seat ISOFIX attachment rear outer seats

Driver and front passenger knee airbag

Front passenger manual airbag deactivation

Seat belt security check for driver and front passenger

Child proof locking system in rear door

Seat occupancy detection for driver and passenger side

Tyre pressure sensors with three level warning strategy

Front and outer rear pyrotechnic belt tensioners

Head airbags in 1st and 2nd row, head protection at side, curtain airbags open from headliner above 1st and 2nd row

Driver and passenger side airbags, body protection at side and airbags deploy from seat backrests

Crash Sensor - activation of central locking release, hazard warning light and interior lighting, safety battery terminal clamp and trigger e-Call

Seats

Front sports seats

Heated front seats

Height adjustable front/rear head restraints

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Three rear headrests

Front passenger seat

40/20/40 split folding rear seats with backrest

Security

Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with remote control and electronic engine immobiliser

Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartment

Incorrect fuel protection system

Start/stop button with comfort go keyless engine start and auto start stop deactivation button

Two remote control integrated key

Transmission

Sport automatic transmission with gearshift paddles

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket

Wheels

Reduced rolling resistance tyres

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 66

CO: 0.142

HC: N

NOx: 0.043

HC+NOx: 0.059

Particles: 0.0012

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 232

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 165

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 149

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 177

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 173

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 173

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90

CC: 2993

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 16.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Engine Code: B57D30O2

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - High: 49.6

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 42.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 42.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 42.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 40.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 8.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7

General

Coin Series: M Sport [Tech Pack]

Coin Description: d xDrive

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 6

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 41E

Service Interval Mileage: 15000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 286

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.7

Top Speed: 152

Engine Power - BHP: 286

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 210

Engine Power - RPM: 4000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 479

Engine Torque - NM: 650

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Engine Torque - MKG: 66.3

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/50 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 245/50 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: Y SPOKE STYLE 887M

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4751

Width: 1918

Wheelbase: 2864

Width (including mirrors): 2138

Height: 1621

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1935

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2530

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 595

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 525

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1430

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Body Glass

Sun protection glass

Driver Aids

Parking Assistant Plus with 360 degree surround view camera

Embellishment Trims

Ash trunkwood with pearl chrome open pored interior trim

Sensatec dashboard

Galvanic embellisher for controls

Aluminium fine cutting interior trim with pearl chrome finish

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

BMW Individual Metallic paint

High gloss black shadow line roof rails

Additional BMW Individual paint - special request

Electric dual tilt/slide panoramic glass sunroof

Interior Features

Vernasca leather upholstery

Heated steering wheel

Packs

Driving assistant professional pack - X4

Technology plus pack with bluetooth - X4

Visibility package - X4

Comfort plus pack with lumbar support - X4

Comfort pack with heated steering wheel - X4

Additional storage compartment pack - X4

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Sophisto grey

Metallic - Phytonic blue

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

Seats

Driver seat backrest width adjustment

4 way electrically adjustable front lumbar support

Towing

Fully electric towbar

Trim - Leather

Vernasca leather - Mocha with night blue contrast stitching

Sensatec perforated - Black

Sensatec perforated - Tacora red

Sensatec perforated - Cognac

Vernasca leather - Black with blue stitching

Vernasca leather - Tacora red with black contrast stitching

Vernasca leather - Oyster with grey contrast stitching

Vernasca leather - Black with grey stitching

Wheels

Run flat tyres

Wheels - Alloy

21" Individual V spoke alloy wheels in bicolour orbit grey - style 726 with run flat tyres