Used 2021 BMW X4

The 2021 BMW X4 is based on the X3 premium compact SUV/crossover. The most obvious place where they differ is around the back.

The X3 is the sensible one, with a conventional SUV profile and plenty of headroom for both rows of seating. The X4 is the stylish one, sacrificing some usefulness for fastback flair. Yes, it’s the coupe aesthetic applied to a 4-door crossover.

In common with the smaller X2 and larger X6, the X4’s more extrovert nature comes at extra cost. The xDrive30i is $6,600 more than a comparable X3. Generally speaking, though, the X4 range is in the same financial ballpark as its only real rival, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe.

The X4 still has respectable space for people and their gear, as well as punchy engines and athletic abilities to get everyone and everything where they need to go without dawdling. And all X4 models come with all-wheel drive as standard, making them suitable for virtually any conditions.

Even though the 2021 X4 has the same eight inches of ground clearance as its X3 stablemate with the conventional roof (enough to help scramble over dirt and snow), the X4 feels better suited to the serious business of driving thrills. The entry-level xDrive30i has a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that’s gutsy enough to move this vehicle’s hefty 4,100 pounds from standstill to 60 mph in six seconds flat. That’s quick, especially for a crossover.

All the time, the X4 feels confident and stable, making it possible to attack tight turns at higher speeds than in most other SUVs. Steering response (a traditional BMW specialty) feels well-weighted and informative.

Sport mode optimizes steering, throttle, and transmission responses for spirited driving, yet doesn’t introduce any jarring feel at more leisurely paces. Highway drives in Comfort mode also reveal the X4 to be a pleasantly quiet cruiser.

No one really needs the 382 horsepower of the M40i or the glorious 473 horsepower of the high-performance X4 M, but excess is a part of luxury.

The X4 M40i rushes from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Not long ago, that was M3 territory. It also has an adaptive suspension with dynamic damper control to pretty much eliminate body roll and a differential lock to combat understeer (when the front wheels wash wide).

The X4 M is 0.3 of a second faster to 60 mph and has a top speed of 173 mph. Or 177 mph with the Competition package that boosts output to 503 horsepower as well.

The X4’s 5-seater cabin has that clean, contemporary, and premium-yet-understated feel that’s another BMW hallmark. The upholstery is offered in simulated leather or the real stuff, and in an array of colors. Tacora Red and Cognac really stand out.

As mentioned in Favorite Features above, the latest iDrive 7.0 infotainment system includes digital displays. Many functions for the central screen are accessed by a rotary controller or by extra buttons to the right of the gear selector. Over the years, iDrive has become increasingly user-friendly.

The front seats are comfortable and well-bolstered. Noise levels are muted to a pleasant hush. The asymmetrical transmission selector might be an acquired taste for some.

The sloping roofline means about two fewer inches of headroom in the BMW X4 compared with the X3, but it’s still usable. Cargo space is also adequate for its size: 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats growing to over 50 with those seats folded.

A curving roof differentiates the 2021 X4 from the squarer X3 SUV. That sweptback style isn’t for everyone, and it does compromise practicality. But this approach is just as valid as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe. And buyers have a greater array of choices, which is never a bad thing.

LED exterior lighting is standard, along with dual exhaust outlets (four tailpipes on the X4 M). Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, with variants having their own specific designs. The xDrive30i has brushed aluminum accents at the front and sides, the M40i’s accents are in high-gloss black. Each model sports its own front fascia. The X4 M also has a special set of aerodynamic additions and is available in a few exclusive colors.

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Standard in every X4, this all-digital setup features a wide and crisp 10.25-inch central display on the dash and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. As well as working extremely well, it adds a high-end futuristic touch to the X4’s interior.

M40i
It isn’t necessary to spend extra on the M40i to have fun in an X4. The xDrive30i is already sporty. But the M40i’s handling, powerful engine, and popping exhaust help take the X4 to another level. And there’s a special something about an inline-6 engine.

As the base model of the 2021 X4 range, the xDrive30i includes a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, powered tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, variable-ratio sport steering, front/rear parking sensors, and self-dimming mirrors.

The X4 also has xDrive, BMW’s term for all-wheel drive. The standard infotainment system includes a 10.25-inch screen, navigation, Sirius XM with 360L, two USB ports, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Safety features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic low-speed braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

New BMWs also include Ultimate Care, which covers three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The hotter X4 M40i model has a 6-cylinder engine, M Sport performance exhaust, adaptive M suspension, upgraded brakes, aerodynamic exterior kit, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, hands-free tailgate operation, plus Wi-fi and wireless charging (both optional in the xDrive30i).

Other options include adaptive cruise control with stop/go and partially autonomous driving, a head-up display, heated/ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, leather upholstery, 360-degree camera setup and parking assistance for parallel spaces, gesture control for the infotainment system, and a 16-speaker/600-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system. Some of these features are standard in the X4 M.

The M40i is also eligible for an M Sport rear differential to enhance the X4’s cornering talents. Again, this is standard in the X4 M.

The 2021 X4 xDrive30i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine making 248 horsepower, which is more than enough for most tastes.

The M40i makes a great compromise between the entry-level X4 and the storming X4 M, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 (yet another BMW hallmark) generating 382 horsepower. The X4 M, a bona fide BMW M performance model, boosts that 6-cylinder unit as high as 503 horsepower.

With any engine, every new BMW X4 has all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. A stop/restart feature is also included to help save some fuel while idling, but it can be turned off if drivers find it irritating. Premium gasoline is recommended across the X4 range.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (xDrive30i)
248 horsepower @ 5,200-6,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (M40i)
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

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (X4 M)
473 horsepower @ 5,600-7,300 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 2,600-5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (X4 M Competition)
503 horsepower @ 5,950-7,300 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 2,600-5,950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19 mpg