Used 2018 BMW X4

BMW is intent on slicing the luxury SUV market into ever smaller slices. The 2018 BMW X4 is the perfect example. A combination of coupe styling, SUV ride height and all-wheel drive, and hatchback utility, the 2018 X4 is at once all of those things and none of them. This emotional play appeals to those who prioritize form over function, and who will pay a premium for it. Smaller inside than the BMW X3 on which it’s based, it looks better, and it’s arguably more fun to drive, too, whether you’re considering the standard model or the more powerful X4 M40i. If you think it’s wacky, take note: Mercedes-Benz has paid the ultimate flattery with its similarly designed and conceived Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

BMW’s talk about the 2018 X4 combining sedan-like reflexes and SUV utility sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo until you drive it, and it mostly lives up to the billing. The X4 leans even more heavily toward the sporty end of things. Its standard all-wheel drive is focused more on performance driving than off-road capability, although of course it’s a traction-enhancing godsend in foul weather. Whether you choose the base model with its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, or the X4 M40i and its 355-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, both paired to a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic, you’ll likely be surprised with the X4’s acceleration. The 4-cylinder sprints to 60 mph in about six seconds, while the M40i does it in less than five. The tight suspension makes the X4 remarkably agile with a small ride penalty, and four different drive modes range from fuel-efficient Eco Pro all the way to the max-aggression Sport+.

BMW drivers will immediately be comfortable inside the X4, with its familiar horizontally aligned dash and controls, brushed-aluminum accents, center-mounted color display and quirky gear selector. Yet even those who aren’t familiar with BMW’s way of doing things will get used to the interior quickly, thanks to its sound ergonomics and ever-improving iDrive infotainment system. In back, the rear-seat’s headroom may surprise, as will its 3-across accommodation, although don’t expect as much legroom as the X3. If you need more than the standard 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space, the 40/20/40-folding split rear seat expands capacity to 49.4.

The BMW X4’s styling has generated controversy, but the coupe-like body over the high-riding SUV chassis works better here than on the larger X6. We think even nicer than the somewhat amorphous Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Of course, it should be no surprise that the cool-looking slope of the rear hatch comes at the expense of rear-seat headroom and cargo space. But the X4’s customers are likely more interested in style and performance than passenger room and cargo hauling, even though the standard power tailgate offers a hands-free feature to open it with a wave of your foot under the bumper.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
The BMW X4 arguably looks better than its X6 big brother for that very reason: It’s smaller. The tighter proportions work to its favor from a design standpoint, giving it a lithe look that compares favorably to the more ponderous-looking X6.

M40i
The 355 horsepower in the X4 M40i almost seems like overkill, considering how satisfying the older 300-horsepower 6-cylinder was. Where the old car was already quick, this one’s even faster, and that much better of making good on the promise of its exciting bodywork.

The base X4 xDrive28i comes standard with its 4-cylinder routing power to all four wheels. It also includes power fronts seats, moonroof, automatic climate control, power tailgate, universal garage-door opener and rear parking assist. The Driving Dynamics Control is also standard, as is hill-descent control in case you decide to take your luxury SUV off-road. The seats are upholstered in SensaTec faux leather that does a decent job of imitating the real thing, and the audio system includes iDrive and nine speakers. Also standard is dynamic cruise control and, finally, a rearview camera.

The premium you pay for the X4 M40i buys more than a bigger engine. You also get leather upholstery, dynamic damper control, the comfort access keyless-entry system, sport seats with lumbar support, and the base model’s premium harman/kardon audio system. Options are mostly bundled into packages, with the M Sport package on base models adding sporty exterior trim, sport seats, increased top speed and more; it’s standard on the M40i. A Driving Assistance Plus Package adds blind-spot detection, head-up display, and collision mitigation. Navigation is available as a stand-alone item, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Both available engines for the 2018 BMW X4 are turbocharged. The base engine is a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, while the upgrade engine in the X4 M40i is an inline-6 that puts out 355 horsepower. Both drive all four wheels full-time through an 8-speed automatic transmission. While the 6-cylinder is obviously the star of the show when it comes to acceleration, that 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is no slouch, either, and its 240 horses are suspiciously strong. Both engines require premium fuel, but luckily fuel economy is pretty good, with the 4-cylinder getting in the high 20s on the highway.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
355 horsepower @ 5,800-6,000 rpm
343 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350-5,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg