Used 2019 BMW X4

Not quite an SUV and not quite a sports sedan, the BMW X4 falls somewhere in between. With the ride height and some cargo space of a crossover SUV, and a coupe-like roofline and driving dynamics like those of a car, the 2019 BMW X4 appeals to buyers who see this as the best of both worlds. But there’s compromise involved, as some SUV utility and sports-sedan handling are sacrificed. If you want more space in the cabin and the cargo area, look to the X3 on which the X4 is based, or to one of BMW’s many compelling sedan options for the pure performance of a car. However, if the car/SUV combo is just the thing you’re looking for, the X4 is there. There are several stylish SUVs out there, but the most direct competitor for the X4 is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

The 2019 BMW X4 is available as the xDrive30i and M40i. The xDrive 30i, powered by a 248-horsepower, twin-turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, hustles the 4,100-plus-pound X4 to 60 mph in six seconds. It’s very easy to have fun in the X4 xDrive30i: Steering response is quite good, especially in Sport mode, which nicely tailors steering, throttle and transmission response for spirited driving, yet doesn’t make any action feel jarring when driving at a more leisurely pace. Also, the smoothly shifting transmission has just the right amount of response. You can enter turns on a curvy road at a higher rate of speed than in an SUV, and the X4 feels confident and stable. Even though this new BMW has eight inches of ground clearance, the same as in the X3, the X4 feels carlike. On highway drives, we enjoyed the X4’s pleasantly quiet interior while cruising in Comfort mode. While you don’t need an extra 100-plus horsepower to have fun in the X4, the more powerful M40i only needs 4.6 seconds to get to 60 mph. It has an adaptive suspension, with dynamic damper control to reduce body roll and a differential lock to greatly reduce understeer. The BMW X4 M40i is a ball to drive on a winding road, and has a raucous crackling, popping exhaust.

The 2019 BMW X4’s interior has clean, elegant style, combining elegant black and silver with splashes of color. In the vehicles we tested, that meant dark crimson (xDrive30i) or red (M40i) leather seats and matching accents on the doors and center console. Black, ivory, mocha and beige/black leather are also offered, with Leatherette standard. Also standard is navigation; it plus Apple CarPlay operate through a 10.25-inch touch screen located at the top of the dash. The seats are comfortable and nicely bolstered, and the cabin offers pleasantly muted noise levels. The coupe-like roofline means there is about two inches less headroom in the BMW X4 compared to the X3, but it’s still nicely accommodating.

The styling of the BMW X4 is the most polarizing aspect of this model. The smooth, curving roof differentiates the X4 from the more traditional X3 SUV, but that added touch of style isn’t for everyone, and it causes there to be less room in the cargo area and the cabin. LED lighting is standard, as are dual-exhaust outlets. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, but there are 19-inch wheels that are unique to either model. While the xDrive30i has brushed-aluminum accents on the front and sides, the M40i’s accents are in high-gloss black.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE CONTROL
Whether you’re in the xDrive30i or M40i, the BMW X4 comes standard with this switch that lets you choose among Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings, which make a noticeable difference in how the steering, transmission and throttle react and work together.

M40i
You don’t need to spend the extra money on the M40i to have fun in the X4, which is plenty sporty in xDrive30i trim, but the added track-ready handling and suspension gear and snappy, popping exhaust are at “how did BMW do that?” levels, and the more powerful engine makes the X4 wonderfully fast.

All-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic are standard in every 2019 BMW X4, as are run-flat tires on 19-inch wheels. Both models of the X4 also come with Driving Experience Control, which lets the driver switch among Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport settings (adding Sport+ for the M40i). Inside, BMW X4s come with Leatherette-covered sport seats, as well as navigation that operates through a 10.25-inch touch screen. Power front seats, automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, rearview camera, and a power tailgate are standard. Interestingly, lumbar seat support is standard only on the M40i. Standard safety features include front-collision warning, pedestrian warning with city braking, and city-collision mitigation with braking.

If you want to add a custom touch to your 2019 BMW X4, there are plenty of choices, starting with 21-inch wheels with performance run-flat tires. You can opt for a heated steering wheel, and Vernasca or Merino leather seats, heated/ventilated in front and heated in the second row. There’s an available head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging and gesture control. Many features that come standard with the M40i, such as the Dynamic Handling package and the M Sport package, are optional on the xDrive30i. However, the M Sport differential is only available for the M40i. Available safety features include blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.

Whether you choose the xDrive30i or the M40i, your 2019 BMW X4 will come with all-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a turbocharged engine. The 2.0-liter turbo engine has eight more horsepower than the 2.0-liter that powered last year’s base model — previously known as the xDrive28i. The 3.0-liter turbo in the M40i has the same horsepower as it did last year (a mighty 355) and more torque, too. Most impressive, though, is that the 2019 BMW X4 gains power and size, yet fuel economy has improved. With both models, combined fuel economy is up by two mpg: 25 for the xDrive30i versus 23 in the xDrive28i, and 23 versus 21 mpg in the 2019 M40i compared to the 2018 model.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
248 horsepower @ 5,200-6,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
355 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
365 lb-ft of torque @ 1,520-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg