When I was growing up, my parents’ general policy was to only make rules about things with long-term consequences. I wasn’t supposed to get a tattoo because removing it was a whole new stress, for example, but I could dress myself and cut my hair the way I wanted. Over the years, I have made some pretty nice fashion choices that have made me proud, but we are here to talk about the 2019 BMW X4. If you need my autobiography, invite me for coffee and we can talk about that. That aside, when I saw the 2019 BMW X4 recently, I couldn’t help thinking about my parents’ old rules.
I don’t understand the appeal of coupe-like crossovers, and still, I have to see one I think looks good. A decade from now, the X4 will probably look about as cool as a pair of baggy shorts or an unbuttoned dress shirt worn over a T-shirt. But coupe-like crossovers are hot right now, so why not appreciate BMW for getting into the trend?
Everything about the 2019 BMW X4
Compared to the low bar that was the previous-generation X4, the 2019 model is certainly an improvement. It’s longer, wider, and slightly lower, with a stiffer chassis, lower curb weight, and a more aerodynamic shape. The designers also did a better job of integrating the fastback roofline with the new X3’s front end. Although the old version looked patched together, the redesigned model has a much more cohesive exterior design.
Inside, the X4’s cabin looks like it was pulled straight out of the future, with only a few accommodations made for the sloping roof. Considering how cheap the first-gen X4’s interior felt, that’s a good thing. BMW used significantly nicer materials this time around that, when paired with the cabin’s more modern design, make the X4 feel much more luxurious. That said, the interior isn’t quite up to the standard set by the X4’s most direct competitor, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
The standard 10.3-inch touchscreen isn’t integrated into the center console like the screen in the last-gen X4, but because it’s mounted higher on the dash, the new system is easier to see and more intuitive to use. Navigation comes standard, as do sports seats and a panoramic moonroof. The multi-color head-up display is 75 percent wider than before and projects an impressive amount of information into the driver’s line of sight.
Several safety features including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking come standard. But buyers have to pay extra for adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and even blind-spot monitoring.
Considering the X4’s coupe-like roofline, the designers also deserve credit for giving rear passengers more room than you’d expect. There’s one more much-appreciated inch of legroom than before and enough headroom to accommodate most passengers.
2019 BMW X4 Engines
Under the hood, buyers get their choice of two engines. The standard X4 xDrive30i uses a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 good for 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The executive X4 M40i, gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 355 hp and 365 lb-ft. Both engines send their power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Anyone with cornering on their mind, however, will want the X4 M40i. That extra 100-ish horsepower makes it significantly quicker than the four-cylinder model, hitting 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. Add in the larger brakes, adaptive suspension, and the optional M Sport differential, and you have a surprisingly enjoyable corner carver. The crackling sports exhaust is just a bonus.
The X4 M40i wouldn’t be my first choice for track duty, but it offers the kind of hop-in-and-go fun that would make errands on the highway more enjoyable. When you need a quiet, comfortable commuter, Comfort mode is a button press away.
No matter how sporty and well-rounded it is, some people will still dismiss the X4 as just an uglier, less practical X3. That’s fine. The X4 isn’t for them. But the fact that something isn’t for everyone doesn’t mean it isn’t for anyone. Buyers who like the X4’s styling should enjoy the driving experience, too, and those who don’t can still buy the X3.
Besides, if trends change in a few years, it’s a lot easier to replace a car than it is to remove a tattoo.
