2021 BMW X4 M Review

　　

2021 BMW X4 M Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　Well, we'll say this about the 2021 BMW X4 M: At least it's not an anodyne cookie-cutter SUV meant to appeal to the widest possible range of car shoppers. No, the X4 M is about as niche as it gets.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$291/mo  for X4 M Base

　　X4 M Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $73,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　With its original X6, BMW can take credit as one of the first automakers to offer a coupe-style SUV. The X4 follows the same formula. It's based on the X3 small SUV but has a sleeker fastback roofline in exchange for less cargo space and rear headroom. From there, the X4 M gets the full BMW performance treatment with a 473-horsepower engine, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and retuned suspension.

　　On the road, the X4 M offers an almost unbelievable level of performance and capability, tackling back roads or highway on-ramps with a prowess that would have seemed silly just a few years ago. The steering, handling and raw acceleration are far beyond what most people expect from an SUV. Unfortunately, those performance capabilities never really settle down, giving the X4 M a jarringly stiff ride even in its most comfortable setting.

　　Inside, the X4 M shares much with the more conventional BMW X3 and, by extension, the X3 M. The rear seats and cargo area are more cramped, but from the driver's seat you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the X3 and the X4. The interior design, features and tech are the same, as is performance.

　　From a logic standpoint, it makes more sense to buy an X3 M. You'll pay less and get more practicality as part of the deal. But in the end that's part of the X4 M's charm. It's clearly not for everyone.

　　

Which X4 M does zzdcar recommend?

As great and powerful as the Competition model may be, we suggest sticking with the standard X4 M. The Competition's extra power and slightly retuned suspension don't offer significantly better performance.

　　

2021 BMW X4 M models

The 2021 BMW X4 M comes in two basic variants: the standard X4 M and the X4 M Competition. Both are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. In the standard X4 M, it makes 473 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque and sends power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic.

　　X4 M

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　Adaptive sport suspension 20-inch wheels Power liftgate Tri-zone automatic climate control Leather upholstery 10.25-inch touchscreen Navigation system Harman Kardon premium audio system Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integrationThe X4 M also comes standard with a number of BMW's driver aids and safety features, including:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)X4 M Competition

　　The Competition package commands a significant premium over the standard model. In return it offers a 30-hp bump to 503 hp. Engine torque remains the same. BMW also upgrades the X4 M with:

　　Thicker suspension stabilizer bars Sport exhaust system Gloss black exterior trim Upgraded sport front seatsThe X4 M is also available with a few notable option packages.

　　Driving Assistance Plus package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X4 M and the car in front) A more advanced version of the forward collision mitigation system Executive package Automated parallel and perpendicular parking system Head-up display Wireless charging pad Heated front and rear seats Heated steering wheel Gesture control for phone and audio

　　

2021 X4 M Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$73,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$291/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles