2019 BMW X4 Road Test and Review

2019 BMW X4 hero ・ Photo by BMW

The 2019 BMW X4 is all-new this year, marking the second generation of this sporty compact SUV since it was first introduced for the 2015 model year. It looks like both a crossover and a coupe with its fastback roofline, so BMW aptly calls it a sports activity coupe. The X4 combines the perks of an SUV with the style of a two-door sports car.

This year’s updates include a fresh look, performance improvements with a wider track and the latest BMW suspension system, and variety of new safety and convenience features. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new X4 to see if this performance-focused SUV is the one for you.

It doesn’t look like every other SUV on the block.

The popularity of crossovers and SUVs means there are lots of them on today’s roads and they all look a lot alike. It’s hard to differentiate one from the next, which makes it hard for any one model to stand out as something special. The 2019 BMW X4 manages to stand out from the pack thanks to its unique fastback roofline.

Most SUVs and crossovers are a bit on the boxy side. Even with sculpted metal and rounded edges, they’re all rather square. The X4 takes a unique approach with its fastback roofline — one that has a single sloping line all the way from the roof to the rear bumper. It gives the X4 an interesting profile that doesn’t immediately mark it as an SUV. It’s something more often found on sports cars, and it gives the X4 personality at the same time it hints at its performance focus.

Photo by BMW

The X4 puts a priority on performance.

The BMW brand has a solid reputation for building cars for people who like to drive and expect a high level of performance from their rides. Whether it’s a sporty sedan or a capable SUV, if you’re buying a BMW, then you want it to drive like one. Mashing your foot on the gas should make your heart race. The X4 might be a compact SUV, but at its heart, it’s a performance vehicle.

Power for the base X4 xDrive30i, like our test car, comes from a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It will take you from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds and makes getting up to highway speed effortless. Power is there when you need it, making the X4 a spirited ride whether you’re dealing with rush hour or enjoying a scenic drive on the weekend. For even moe thrust, the upper-level M40i model brings a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. 

Photo by BMW

Drive modes let you customize the ride.

Making the drive experience in the X4 more engaging is a series of drive modes offered through the Driving Dynamics Control system. This lets you choose among Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes depending on your mood. Choosing Eco Pro puts the focus on efficiency rather than performance while Comfort is perfect for everyday driving. Those who prefer a more aggressive ride will enjoy Sport and Sport+ modes.

In addition to drive modes, there are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that let the driver manually select gears rather than relying on the automatic transmission. These features combined with a near 50/50 weight distribution, improved aerodynamics over the outgoing model, and standard M Sport suspension make the X4 a sporty SUV no matter which drive mode you've selected. There are more powerful options out there, but the X4 certainly won’t leave you feeling bored behind the wheel.

Photo by BMW

Seating is comfortable with a decidedly sporty vibe.

As a luxury performance SUV, the X4 delivers a high-end interior, but with a sporty focus. While some luxury vehicles have seats with an infinite number of settings and a level of plushness that makes your living room couch feel like plywood, the X4 never forgets it’s a driver’s car. Yes, the seats are comfortable, with standard 10-way power adjustability for the driver and front passengers and leatherette surfaces, but you don’t sink down into these seats like you do in more leisurely luxury cars.

Instead, the seats in the X4 are firm and supportive with heavy bolstering to keep you in place on the corners. Those with a larger frame may find them too snug or need a little time to get used to the feel, but the sports seats are perfect for taking a corner at speed while keeping the driver relaxed and in control.

Photo by BMW

Plenty of Room for Cargo or People

One of the big reasons that SUVs hold so much appeal is their ability to easily switch from carrying passengers to carrying cargo. The X4 has room for five people with a surprisingly large rear seat along with an additional 18.5 cubic feet behind it. That’s easily enough to handle a family’s luggage or a week’s worth of groceries. There’s also a standard power tailgate, which makes loading and unloading cargo a little easier.

The rear sets are 40/20/40 split-folding for plenty of flexibility when your cargo needs are greater. With those seats down, there’s a total of 50.5 cubic feet for cargo with a low load floor. On the downside, the fastback design gives the X4 a low roofline, which reduces its ability to carry larger, bulkier items that might require extra height to fit.

Photo by BMW

There’s a wide range of standard and available safety features.

The 2019 BMW X4 has not yet been crash tested, but it does come with a wide range of standard and available safety features. This includes Active Guard as a standard feature. This system brings a frontal collision warning, city collision mitigation with braking, a pedestrian warning with city braking, and speed limit information. There’s also an Active Protection System, which detects when an accident is about to happen and prepares by pretensioning the seat belts, closing the windows, and activating post-crash braking.

Extra-cost safety features on the X4 include blind-spot monitoring, a lane-departure warning, and a rear cross-traffic alert. There are also semi-autonomous features like active cruise control with stop and go, active lane-keeping assist, a traffic jam assistant, and a front cross-traffic alert. The X4 offers a good combination of standard safety with the option for additional advanced safety features to set your mind at ease.

Photo by BMW

It has fully featured infotainment, but it’s not all fee-free.

Standard infotainment in the 2019 BMW X4 includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, 12-speaker audio system, and AM/FM/CD/MP3. The system can also be navigated using voice commands, a controller on the center console, or with optional Gesture Control. That’s four different ways to manage the system, but the one that works best is the touchscreen.

When it comes to infotainment features, there’s no Android Auto, but there is Apple CarPlay, with one caveat. The X4 comes only with one year of complimentary Apple CarPlay and then you must pay an annual subscription fee. Most automakers that include Apple CarPlay provide it for free. Although that subscription is not likely a financial burden if you’re buying a BMW, it’s yet another subscription fee you’ll need to manage and a bit of an annoyance.

Photo by BMW

Luxury-Car Pricing That Delivers a Luxury-Car Experience

The 2019 BMW X4 is available in two trims, both with standard all-wheel drive. The base four-cylinder xDrive30i starts at $50,450, which puts it solidly in luxury car territory. At that price, you get a well-equipped SUV with a quality interior, numerous standard safety and convenience features, standard all-wheel drive, and a powerful engine that won’t disappoint.

Those looking for even more performance have the option of the M40i, which brings the six-cylinder engine along with other performance enhancements. You’ll pay a premium for that extra power with a starting price of $60,450. Available packages, which quickly add up, expand on the features offered by the X4 creating a more luxurious experience, but could easily take the X4 beyond your budget.

Photo by BMW

Final Thoughts

The X4 caters to BMW enthusiasts who demand performance, but also want the versatility of an SUV. Even in its base trim, the X4 is a spirited drive with great handling, plenty of power, and a range of drive modes that let you tailor the ride to your personal preferences. It has a comfortable, sporty interior with ample room for five and good cargo capacity. It also offers a wide range of standard and available safety features.

The infotainment system, while fully featured with a large touchscreen, suffers the drawback of a subscription system for Apple CarPlay, which is frustrating. However, the overall package offered by the 2019 BMW X4 is hard to resist if you crave the fun of a performance car along with the practicality of an SUV.

Photo by BMW