BMW’s X4 is a little bit of an odd duck. Basically the budget version of the X6, the fastback crossover similarly ditches practicality for attitude. For 2019, the compact luxury crossover is getting an opportunity to hold that posture by gaining two more powerful engines and shedding a few pounds as it swaps to the brand’s new CLAR platform.
Fitting, considering the X4 resembles a sedan that abuses steroids more than it does a traditional sport utility vehicle. However, it maintains a face that’s extremely similar to the X3 SUV while exhibiting more car-like attributes everywhere else. Now, about those engines…
For 2019, the brash “sport activity vehicle” will arrive on North American shores under two guises: the xDrive30i and M40i. The former model makes use of a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, not dissimilar from the unit crammed beneath the hood of the current xDrive28i trim. But it tacks on a few ponies for a grand total of 248 horsepower and holds peak torque at 258 lb-ft. While that’s a very modest increase in power, BMW says it’s implementing more aluminum and high-grade steel to ensure a lighter and more rigid body that should bolster performance substantially.
It’s a nearly identical story with the M40i. That version of the X4 will continue on with the 3.0-liter straight-six, but the newly updated unit has been optimized with 22 extra foot pounds of torque. BMW specs the turbocharged engine at 355 hp and 365 lb-ft. But, again, the manufacturer stresses that both trims will have the benefit of sportier dynamics — thanks to decreased weight, wider tracks, a lower center of gravity, and the latest suspension upgrades.
On the M trim, that means an adaptive M Sport suspension with variable steering input that we’re hoping feels a little more natural. It will also receive upgraded brakes with blue calipers and larger discs and a more raucous exhaust note. There are loads of upgrades you can tack on for some extra cash, too. But the transmission is not one of them. All models will stick with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and all-wheel drive.
BMW says the X4 has been blessed with a reduction in aerodynamic drag of around 10 percent that, according to the manufacturer, should enhance efficiency. Unfortunately, the brand has not yet provided a fuel economy estimate. That could be because the new X4 is now 3.2 inches longer and might not be all that trim or economical when compared to the outgoing example.
Now standard on the 2019 X4 is a pretty impressive list of new safety features. BMW’s Active Protection system initiates protective belt tensioning and the closing of windows and moonroof to a small gap when an accident seems imminent. Active Guard (also standard) includes frontal collision warning, city collision mitigation with automatic braking, pedestrian warning with braking, and speed limit info. But customers can splurge for more if they want things like active cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane keeping, side collision avoidance, or cross traffic alerts for the front and rear of the vehicle.
BMW is adding voice command functionality in case drivers don’t want to mess with the 10.25-inch touchscreen for navigation, and gesture control for a number of in-car functions. Drivers can also opt for a head-up display, which BMW says is 75-percent larger than the previous window projection and fully customizable. LTE Internet connectivity is available as well, and can support up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Arriving in July, the base X4 should start at $51,445 with delivery. That’s roughly $2,850 more than the outgoing xDrive28i. Meanwhile, the M40i should begin much closer to the 2018 price tag, at $61,445.
[Images: BMW]
My FIL just bought an X3 M40i, same as this but with practicality. It’s not a bad drive. Pretty quick, exhaust sounds good, etc. decent tech suite. Expensive for what it is (his was all but loaded, around $66k) but a decent Swiss Army knife of a vehicle.
I would’ve gone with the Macan myself.
Dang – $66k is a lot of dough but if you have the money, then why *not?
*personally I would get something like a Mustang GT and a beater SUV/truck to do the winter driving/hauling.
He’s done the 2 car thing and doesn’t love it. He’s also 6’5” and 66 years old so the desire to fold himself into a sporty car is gone at this point. And in reality he splits winter driving between his wife’s Highlander and their Grand Caravan (for hauling grandkids/taking road trips) anyways.
Yeah the beater car thing does get old. My “other” car is just sitting… and sitting… especially since it doesn’t have winter rubber.
But don’t you need a minimum of 5 cars for functional transportation according to some people here?
I love having two cars. My wife doesn’t like driving the truck or the V and usually I don’t like driving her Equinox except at the moment, as it’s the only one with Winter tires on it. It’s brilliant with AWD on snow wedges.
Manages to be both fugly and generic at the same time. Quite a feat.
Nice.
If you need to impress your neighbors.
Me?
I dont like my neighbors that much.
Sure, that’s the only reason people buy nice cars. Damn the excesses of the bourgeoisie!
What a generic, blobby, lazy design.
i am genuinely asking, can someone tell me what these BMW X4 and X6 are actually for? i mean, what niche do these cars fill and for whom are they made? i’ve never been able to figure it out yet i see them on the road…
What are they for? Printing money for BMW. If people are willing to pay more than the equivalent X3/X5 with minimal extra engineering work required, why wouldn’t they make them?
They’re for looks, which is hard to believe given how terrible they are. The X6 looked pretty good in its first iteration, but they’ve been given the hunday treatment with nonsense bonelines and melted sheetmetal in between. Cars like these, the Acura ZDX, to an extent the Nissan Murano, are all about driving something that looks modern and cool when you acknowledge that you’ll never fill the trunk with more than a few grocery bags.
Functionally worse than an X3, far uglier than an X3, and more expensive than an X3. What’s not to love?
Vehicles like this are why I’m more interested in BMWs from the oughts than new ones.
I agree. X6 was popular in Europe though when I was there two years ago.
If it makes you feel any better, the X4 doesn’t sell very well (in the US anyway) considering it is technically in the “premium CUV” class.
It moves about the same volume as the i3.
Will it still be as stupid and pointless?
You forgot “Uglier” in that string of adjectives.
“Better, Faster, Stronger”
“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man.”
but…I don’t want to spend a lot of money.
God, I still love that Family Guy classic cutaway.
I hope they make it uglier, heavier, harder to see out of, and equip it with a 600hp twin turbo V8 that leaks oil from every orifice. Oh, and throw on a few extra roundels all over the car.
That seems to be what modern BMWs have become anyway except for the 2 series.
Sport Activity Crossover. He. He. He.
Why doesn’t this have the garish C-pillar BMW emblem warts from the hideous X2? Go big or go home.