2021 BMW X4 Review

　　

2021 BMW X4 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.

　　Nearly 15 years ago, BMW introduced the X6. Basically an X5 SUV with a sharper roofline and redacted utility, the X6 proved so popular that it essentially created an entire segment of so-called SUV coupes. Not one to miss an opportunity for further niche development, BMW followed it up with the X3-derived X4.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 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

　　$184/mo  for X4 xDrive30i

　　X4 xDrive30i

　　xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $51,600 MSRPM40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $61,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　From behind the wheel, the 2021 X4 doesn't feel all that different from the X3. Other than a slimmed-down list of powertrains (no plug-in hybrid for the X4), the features, options and general driving dynamics are the same. You do sacrifice cargo space and rear headroom, but it's hard to put a price on style. Is the X4 right for you, or would you be better off with a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe or Porsche Macan? Read our Expert Rating below to help you decide.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the X4 drive? We tested the xDrive30i. It doesn't sprint off the line with a whole lot of verve, but once you're rolling there's plenty of zip. Our four-cylinder test car didn't break any records on its way to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, but we like the eight-speed transmission's responsiveness.

　　The X4's brakes react quickly and are smooth and easy to use in regular driving, but handling is its biggest strength. With its standard M Sport suspension (the regular suspension is a no-cost option), our X4 test car felt solid and composed through quick corners and curves. The steering loads up well in Sport mode during curves. It's well weighted but still sharp and accurate, inspiring confidence when breezing through twistier sections of road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the X4? The X4's seats are firm, supportive and great for long stints behind the wheel. Multiple adjustments for the front seats include thigh extenders and inflatable side bolsters, ensuring a good fit for most body types.

　　While the X4's ride is taut, it shrugs off rough roads reasonably well. It's also pretty quiet. There's a touch of wind noise, but the smooth ride, zesty engine and hushed interior make it easy to drive the X4 deceptively fast. It's easy to exceed the speed limit without realizing it.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? It's a bit treacherous for rear passengers to get in and out — the swooping roofline is all too eager to knock your noggin on the way in if you're not paying attention — but there's a sufficient amount of room in back once you're seated. The rear seat cushions are low and flat, which helps reclaim some headroom lost to the roofline. There's a bit less legroom than in the average SUV in this segment, though it's not too noticeable.

　　Visibility is pretty compromised all around and especially out the narrow back window, which is more decorative than it is useful. A nice hi-res backup camera helps here for low-speed maneuvering and parking, but you'll definitely want to make the most of the X4's blind-spot monitoring system on the highway or around town.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The combination of touchscreen and dial controls makes exploring infotainment menus a breeze. The nav system is easy to use and the graphics are tack-sharp, although voice commands offer limited usefulness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Some overall cargo space is lost because of the sloping roofline (compared to the X3), but there's still a decent amount of room as well as additional flexibility with the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats. Our test car also came equipped with sliding cargo rails and tie-downs. Multiple levers release the rear seats to fold down automatically.

　　Plenty of interior storage helps with keeping phones and personal items close at hand. Child seats, even large ones, will fit pretty easily, although securing the top tethers requires removing the cargo cover first.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the xDrive30i gets 25 mpg combined, which is a bit better than other four-cylinder luxury SUVs. On our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, our test vehicle returned 23 mpg.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the X4 a good value? Other competitors offer more dazzling interior design, but the X4 still makes a statement of quality with tight construction and solid controls. It's an old-school approach that looks good. The X4 is priced competitively with its German peers, and its warranty and ownership experience hew closely to coverage offered by the others.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　Although it looks faster and sportier than it is, the X4 offers enough BMW handling goodness and ride comfort to make spirited drives a good time. The X4's shape is recognizable and has enough style to turn heads in the valet line. It's a niche offering but it excels at what BMW intends it to be.

　　

Which X4 does zzdcar recommend?

The base xDrive30i is reasonably powerful, but we suggest stepping up the M40i. BMW's turbocharged inline-sixes are potent and buttery smooth. It's a better fit considering the X4's sharper styling.

　　

2021 BMW X4 models

The 2021 BMW X4 is available in two trim levels: xDrive30i and M40i. A high-performance variant — the X4 M — is reviewed separately. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard on both trims.

　　xDrive30i

　　Standard feature highlights include:

　　19-inch wheels Sport suspension LED headlights Power-folding and heated side mirrors Power liftgate Panoramic sunroof Power-adjustable front seats Simulated leather upholstery Digital instrument cluster 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrationDriver aids include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitoring (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)Notable options on the xDrive30i include:

　　Leather upholstery Driver Assistance Professional package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X4 and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the X4 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Front cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross the X4's path while you're moving forward) M Sport package Different 19-inch wheels Revised front and rear fascias M steering wheel Premium package Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Gesture controls Wireless charging pad In-car Wi-Fi Keyless entry Executive package Includes Premium package features Parallel parking assist Parking sensors Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the X4 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Ambient interior lighting Upgraded leather upholstery Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Dynamic Handling package Adaptive suspension (can adjust to improve ride quality and handling stability) More powerful brakes M40i

　　The sportier M40i swaps in a turbocharged six-cylinder engine (382 hp and 368 lb-ft). It also comes with:

　　Dynamic Handling package M Sport package Keyless entry Upgraded front seats Wireless device charging Parking sensorsThe Premium and Executive packages are also optional for the M40i.

　　

2021 X4 Highlights

Type: SUVM40iSUV

　　Trim: xDrive30iM40ixDrive30i

　　

Base MSRP	$51,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$184/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles