Used 2020 BMW X4

The 2020 BMW X4 could be considered the more fashionable, more hip sibling to the X3. While it’s based on that compact-luxury-crossover SUV, the X4 ditches a traditional SUV design for a coupe-like profile. That means a sportier aesthetic and an individualistic flair, but also not as much practicality due to less cargo room than the X3. Still, the X4 has respectable space for passengers and their gear, and will get everything where it needs to go quickly thanks to potent powertrains and athletic manners.

There’s a choice of a standard turbocharged 4-cylinder in xDrive30i models or a turbocharged 6-cylinder in the seriously quick M40i. Both come standard with all-wheel drive, making them good partners on just about any road and weather condition. As with the smaller X2 and larger X6, the X4’s stand-out appeal comes at a price. It’s about $10,000 more than a base X3, but in the same range as its only real rival, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

The 2020 X4 comes in two main flavors: the xDrive30i and the M40i. The xDrive30i is the standard model and is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder that’s potent enough to move the X4’s rather hefty 4,100 pounds to 60 mph in six seconds flat. That is quick, especially for a crossover SUV.

It’s easy to have fun in this base X4. Steering response — long a BMW specialty — is good, especially in Sport mode, which optimizes 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 8-speed automatic transmission has just the right amount of response. You can enter turns on a curvy road at a higher rate of speed than in most other traditional SUVs, and the X4 feels confident and stable.

Even though this new BMW has eight inches of ground clearance — same as the X3 — the X4 feels more carlike. On highway drives, we enjoyed the X4’s pleasantly quiet interior while cruising in Comfort mode. While you don’t need an extra 134 horsepower to have fun in the X4, the more powerful M40i is a guilty pleasure.

If you’re the kind of person who likes his salsa spicy or just relishes the ability to beat most vehicles off the line, this is the X4 for you. The X4 M40i hits the 0-60-mph benchmark in a blistering 4.4 seconds. Not long ago, that was M3 territory. This more powerful X4 also has an adaptive suspension with dynamic damper control to reduce body roll and a differential lock to reduce understeer.

The 2020 X4’s 5-passenger cabin has BMW’s signature understated but clean, contemporary and premium feel. An array of colors is available for the upholstery that’s offered in SensaTec faux leather or real hide. The Tacora Red and Cognac colors really stand out.

As we mentioned in Favorite Features, the latest iDrive 7.0 system bundles digital screens, with many functions for the central screen controlled by a rotary knob and surround buttons to the right of the gear selector. If you’re coming out of an older BMW, know the iDrive system has gotten easier to use. We’re still not big fans of the electronically controlled transmission selector.

The X4’s front 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 respectably accommodating. Cargo room is also adequate for its size, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats that grows to over 50 with the seats folded.

The X4’s exterior styling is its most polarizing aspect. The smooth, curving roof differentiates the X4 from the blockier X3 SUV. That sweptback style isn’t for everyone, and it means less room in the cargo area and the cabin. To our eyes, BMW’s SUV-as-coupe approach works better than Mercedes’ design with the GLC Coupe.

Up front, 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. Each also features its own front fascia. The X4’s ground clearance — eight inches — is the same as the X3’s, and enough to help the X4 scramble over dirt and snow.

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Standard on the X4 is this all-digital setup that features a wide and crisp 10.25-inch central display on the dash and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It adds a high-end futuristic touch to the X4’s interior.

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.

In base, xDrive30i form, the X4 includes a panoramic moonroof, power tailgate, automatic climate control, SensaTec faux-leather interior, automatic climate control, 10-way-power front seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The X4 comes with xDrive, BMW’s name for all-wheel drive.

The standard infotainment system includes a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and Apple CarPlay. Note that BMWs still don’t offer Android Auto, but that’s coming on future models. The X4’s standard safety features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic city braking. New BMWs also include Ultimate Care, which covers three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The higher-performance X4 M40i model includes the more powerful 6-cylinder engine, M Sport performance exhaust, adaptive suspension, upgraded brakes, an aerodynamic exterior kit, and 14-way-power front seats. Other options for both trims include keyless entry and hands-free tailgate, head-up display, heated seats and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, surround-view camera and parking assistant that helps you slot the vehicle in parallel spaces. A gesture-control system is available to control audio, but we’re not fans of it.

Additional safety and driver-assist features can be had with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. Other goodies include leather interior, a wireless phone charger and — on M40i models — an M Sport rear differential to help you wring the most out of the X4’s cornering.

Whether you choose the xDrive30i or the M40i, your new BMW X4 will come with all-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a turbocharged engine. The xDrive30i uses a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder. The M40i has a wonderful inline-6 that is more powerful for 2020 — rising from 355 horsepower to 382. That enables this crossover SUV to hit 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, more than a second and a half quicker than the 4-cylinder model.

If you still require even more power, there’s the new BMW X4 M, a full-fledged BMW M performance model that boasts up to 503 horsepower and hits 0-60 mph in four seconds flat. That model gets its own review. As with more and more new cars, the X4 has an auto start-stop system that cuts engine power at idle, such as when you’re waiting at a traffic light. If you don’t like the engine shutting off in such situations, the system can be disabled.

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: 23/28 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
382 horsepower @ 5,800-6,500 rpm
365 lb-ft of torque @ 1,520-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg