Redesigned BMW X4 boasts performance, looks

The looks are really distinctive, especially on profile. The longer front end and sloping C-pillar give the X4 a hatchback-like appearance. You can see the European styling all over this vehicle.

The front end is so typically BMW with the grille and the squinty headlights. That’s not where the X4’s styling impresses. The back side is where it comes to life as it bursts with style and personality. As someone who is annoyed with the vanilla nature of the small crossover segment, I really appreciate the X4 for being a standout, aesthetically speaking.

You cannot talk about any BMW without discussing its performance. As much distinction and personality as the X4 exudes, it offers even more in overall driving performance. All BMWs have a certain vibe from behind the wheel. That means something, especially in a segment full of dull slow pokes.

There are two engine options for this crossover. The X4 has a base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower, which is still more power than others in the segment. My tester was the X4 m40i, which means it came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder that produces 355 hp.

To further add to the goosebumps, there’s an eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual-shift modes, plus a driving dynamics control knob allows to modify the vehicle’s performance with eco, comfort, sport and sport+ settings.

Each selection is good, and even the eco selection is exciting. But the sport mode was ideal and lived up to BMW’s moniker of “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

All X4 models come with all-wheel drive. This contributes to the performance as this little crossover is so quick and athletic, twists and turns are nothing for it and will surely get the adrenaline of any driving enthusiast pumping.

There used to be a time when you’d sit in a BMW or even other luxury brands and you’d know you were in a luxury vehicle. But the competition, especially amongst the non-luxury brands, got tight and everyone’s interiors improved so much that the true luxury brands like BMW didn’t advance enough.

That’s the case with this redesigned X4. It’s nice and high quality, but it doesn’t scream luxury. There are plenty of high-quality touch points in this vehicle, and the suede-like headliner is most impressive. But there still lacked a wow factor that you’d want and expect from the brand.

The five-passenger X4 is comfortable, even in the back seat. However, taller passengers might feel a little crowded with the headroom, thanks to that sloping C-pillar.

For a German-engineered vehicle, the iDrive infotainment system is actually intuitive. Too often European vehicles are more complex than they need to be. The simplistic infotainment has all the technology you need, and there’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate with your smartphone.

Because of the X4’s styling, the cargo area is limited. That holds back the useful nature of this people-mover. There’s 18.5 cubic feet of cargo room in the back and a total of 50.5 cubic feet with seats folded down. Those numbers are near the bottom of the segment.

The all-wheel drive, X4 m40i has an EPA rating of 20 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway. In a week’s worth of driving utilizing my lead foot, I averaged 22.5 mpg.

As is the case with most German vehicles, there’s plenty of packages and trims to add or remove to get to a price point that works for you. My tester had a suggested retail price of $60,450. But with extra packages, the final MSRP of my tester was $69,170.

It’s always great when a vehicle has personality. The BMW X4 beguiles with both looks and performance. This redesigned little crossover is a winner in a very competitive segment.

2019 BMW X4 M40I

2019 BMW X4 M40I