
There may be no other manufacturer out there who caters to a wide
variety of crossover buyers than BMW. The up side to that is that they
offer a lot of vehicles that would qualify as crossovers or crossover
alternatives. The down side is that it can get a little confusing. We
recently drove the all-new X4, one of BMW’s Sport Activity Coupes, and
if you’re looking for a vehicle like this, the X4 is worth a closer
look.
What is it, Anyway?
The X4 is a Sports Activity Coupe – if you want something with ground
clearance and visibility similar to that of an SUV, but want a vehicle
that drives like a car and has a fastback shape, BMW offers vehicles
such as the smaller X2, X4, and larger X6. (If you want lower ground
clearance, there’s a 3 Series wagon. More utility with a less carlike
ride? Choose the X1, X3, or X5.) While this vehicle isn’t one that will
draw mainstream sales – just over 19,000 X4s total have sold in the U.S.
since 2014 -- it isn’t supposed to: the X4 is not a mainstream vehicle.
What’s Changed
If you’re deciding between a 2018 or 2019 X4,
which goes on sale this month, there are some key factors you should
consider. The new X4 weighs less than the previous-gen, having shed as
much as 110 pounds (depending on trim level and equipment), and is more
aerodynamic. The 2019 model marks the start of the vehicle’s second
generation and it’s based on the new-for-2018 BMW X3’s platform, which
is a great starting point. The X4 has a 50/50 weight balance, the goal
for vehicles that lean toward the sporty side. It has a lower center of
gravity and wider track – also key for improved driving dynamics – and
is longer and lower overall.
That added length gives the 2019 a few advantages over its
predecessor. Not only does it make more room for cargo, but it also adds
a touch more legroom in both rows. There’s also more headroom for
everyone on board. However, if you need more than 18.5 cubic feet of
cargo space behind the second row (or 50.5 with the second row folded),
you should consider the X3 instead, which offers 28.7 and 62.7 cubic
feet of space, respectively.
Inside
Not only is the X4’s interior roomier, but it has a clean, updated
new style. Navigation comes standard, with a large, clear 10.25-inch
touch screen, which has been moved to the top of the dash. Vents and
controls are now in a slimmer, more horizontal layout. These changes
make knobs and controls easier to reach, while creating space for a
storage area below the climate control settings. The seats are
comfortable and nicely bolstered, and combined with the cabin’s muted
noise levels, our extended drive time in the X4 was pleasant during a
day-long drive. Lumbar support is standard with the M40i, and part of a
$1,000 option package with the xDrive30i. The interior color
combinations and materials are at the high-quality levels you would
expect from BMW, with livelier color mixes than in the previous
generation. Options include a Harman Kardon audio system ($875),
wireless smartphone charging ($400), and front and rear heated seats
($350). Wireless Apple CarPlay is available – it’s free for the first
year, then $80 a year from that point on.
The available Driving Assistance package includes lane departure
warning, blind-spot detection, daytime pedestrian protection, front
collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert. If you want to further
expand on that, Driving Assistance Plus adds adaptive cruise control,
which also stops and moves the vehicle in traffic, lane-keep assist, and
front and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Drive
The X4 is available in two trims: the X4 xDrive30i, and the X4 M40i,
both of which come standard with all-wheel drive. We started with the
xDrive 30i, which we anticipate will be the volume seller. It’s powered
by a 248-horsepower, twin-turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. While you
may look at a vehicle of this size and wonder with some skepticism if a
4-cylinder engine offers enough power, there’s nothing to worry about:
the engine hustles the 4,100-plus-pound X4 to 60 mph in six seconds.
What’s better, though, is that it’s very easy to have fun in the X4.
Steering feel is often a matter of personal preference. For me, the
steering response is quite good – my favorite setting was Sport mode,
which nicely tailors steering, throttle and transmission response for
spirited driving, yet doesn’t make any action feel jarring when driving
at a more leisurely pace. The transmission is smooth shifting yet has
just the right amount of response. You can enter turns on a curvy road
at a higher rate of speed than in an SUV, and the X4 feels confident and
stable. It’s very carlike even though it has eight inches of ground
clearance, the same as in the X3. When the road straightened out, we put
the X4 in the more relaxed Comfort setting, and enjoyed a leisurely
drive while noting the pleasantly quiet interior.
Our second X4 run was in the X4 M40i. As was the case with the
previous X4, the M40i is the more powerful beast of the lineup. It uses a
turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which has a bit more torque than in
2018 and the same 355 horsepower. The M40i’s features include an
adaptive M suspension, with dynamic damper control to reduce body roll.
It also has a differential lock; when the X4 is cornering, the lock
works on the inner wheel to greatly reduce understeer. Many of the
M-themed driving aids and features like the sport exhaust system come
standard with the $61,445 base price (including destination). There are
other items, such as the M Sport differential, that aren’t available
with the xDrive30i, even as an option. The M40i is a much more serious
track and street performer, and the power difference was clear within
the first few seconds of driving. The more powerful X4 darts to speed in
a short amount of time, only needing 4.6 seconds to reach 60. The M40i
weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the xDrive30i, but you wouldn’t
know it. The added M suspension and driver assists make this X4 a ball
to drive on a winding road, and with more enthusiastic driving, the
raucous crackling, popping exhaust is a bonus aural reward.
To Buy or Not to Buy
The X4 lives up to BMW’s promise: even though both vehicles have some
commonalities, the X4 has a much more sporting attitude than the X3
it’s based on. One of the most polarizing things about this vehicle is
its styling: its combination of SUV height and proportions and its
coupe-ish shape isn’t for everyone. But if what the X4 offers aligns
with what you’re looking for, it’s important to keep in mind there is a
$10,000 difference in price between the xDrive30i and the M40i. For most
people, the less expensive xDrive30i is all the X4 you would need: it
offers rewarding dynamics with a powerful engine, and has the quality
interior and amenities you’d want in a BMW. However, if you start adding
options and the bottom-line price starts to approach that of the M40i,
it may be wise to start considering stepping up. You get more power,
many of the X4’s optional features become standard, and you can get an
X4 that’s ready for performance driving.
The 2019 BMW X4 is the first model year of a new generation. The changes for the 2019 redesign include an additional 8 horsepower for the
Longer, wider, and lighter, the second-generation fastback crossover both looks and drives better than the original. Read our review and see
Wider, lower stance and updated suspension give the X4 a sportier attitude BMW's Sports Activity Coupe is more luxurious, better connected,
When I drove the 2019 BMW X4 recently, I couldn't help thinking about my parents' old rules. I don't understand the appeal of coupe-like
Research the 2019 BMW X4 with our expert reviews and ratings. ... Revised styling; New standard features; This is the first year of the second X4 generation.
BMW X4 First Drive: Better Style, More Substance ... wheels, a handful of M badges, and an extra $2,720 to the overall asking price.
0 comments:
Post a Comment