2023 BMW X4

Overview

If you like the road manners of the X3 but find its boxy body a little too basic, its swoopier sibling—the 2023 BMW X4—wears an eye-catching fastback design that’s designed to appeal to sophisticates. The X3, and other squareback SUVs for that matter, offer more practicality, but the X4 is more about style. It’s like the pair of Gucci sneakers you wear to walk the dog: The blisters they cause are worth the pain because they look damn good. Reduced rear-seat headroom and a less accommodating cargo area are the X4’s main compromises, as the rest of the car is identical to the generally excellent X3. A turbocharged four-cylinder and all-wheel drive are both standard, while an optional turbocharged inline-six ratchets up the fun. Inside, the X4’s cabin is less flashy but it’s nonetheless chic and premium. Plus, BMW bakes in plenty of tech features. If fashion and performance are equally important to you, consider the even spicier X4 M, which we review separately.

What’s New for 2023?

Keyless entry is now standard and gesture controls for the infotainment system are no longer part of the optional Premium package. Otherwise, the X4 carries over to the 2023 model year unchanged.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The M40i’s turbocharged inline-six is impressive, but the 30i’s base turbo four-cylinder provides plenty of power. We’d choose that model for its better fuel-economy numbers, and we’d add the Premium package to get niceties such as heated seats and a head-up display.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The base BMW X4 xDrive30i gets its motivation from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. At the track, this model made the sprint to 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds. If you’re in the mood for something more high-octane, the X4 M40i is an ideal fit. This model is equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that produces a beefy 382 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. BMW’s X4 M40i hustles to 60 mph in a scant 4.2 seconds, according to our track tests, and its engine note is as impressive as its acceleration. Launch control is standard. Both trims come with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. Regardless of which X4 you choose, you’ll be treated to an SUV that matches keen handling with a ride quality that’s easy to live with.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the X4 xDrive30i achieves mileage of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, but in our tests, we observed highway fuel economy of 33 mpg. With the X4 M40i, estimated EPA fuel economy stands at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. We were able to achieve real-world fuel economy of 28 mpg on the highway during our time with that model. For more information about the X4’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Clean modernity is the name of the game within the X4’s premium cabin. The center stack looks a bit like the shield of a superhero, and it sits beneath a stylish floating touchscreen. The X4’s 35.5 inches of rear legroom is less than you’ll get with its more pragmatic relative, the X3 (36.4 inches). Also, the X4 forces you to make some compromises when it comes to cargo space. This model provides just 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity with all seats in place and 51 cubic feet with the rear seats lowered. The X3 fares much better in this area, providing 29 cubic feet of room for your belongings behind the second row and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

The base-model X4 comes with HD radio and a 12-speaker sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard, which allow you to seamlessly connect the vehicle with your device. An integrated navigation system is also standard, and the infotainment system comes with a 12.3-inch display screen.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

BMW offers several driver-assistance features, but its most impressive technology is relegated to option packages. For more information about the X4’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The X4’s warranty is great when compared with the coverage offered by less expensive mainstream models, but it’s merely average when viewed next to the protection provided by its rivals in the luxury segment. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is provided. Not all models in this segment offer this perk, so that’s a feather in the X4’s cap.

Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i

Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE

Base/As Tested: $52,795/$58,995

Options: M Sport package, $2900; Dynamic handling package, $1200; Premium package – heated wheel and front seats, head-up display, lumbar support, $950; M Sport 20-in wheels and performance tires, $600; Dark Graphite metallic paint, $550

ENGINE

Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 in3, 1998 cm3

Power: 248 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm

TRANSMISSION

8-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink

Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc

Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Runflat

F: 245/45R-20 103W Extra Load RSC ★

R: 275/40R-20 106W Extra Load RSC ★

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 112.8 in

Length: 187.6 in

Width: 75.5 in

Height: 63.8 in

Passenger Volume: 96 ft3

Cargo Volume: 24 ft3

Curb Weight: 4184 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 6.2 sec

1/4-Mile: 14.7 sec @ 94 mph

100 mph: 16.8 sec

Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec

Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec

Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.5 sec

Top Speed (gov): 128 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft

Braking, 100–0 mph: 316 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 24 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/City/Highway: 24/21/28 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

2019 BMW X4 M40i

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED

$69,170 (Base Price: $61,445)

ENGINE TYPE

turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement

183 cu in, 2998 cc

Power

335 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

365 lb-ft @ 1520 rpm

TRANSMISSION

8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc

Tires: Bridgestone Alenza 001 RFT, F: 245/45R-20 103W ★ R: 275/40R-20 106W ★ 

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 112.7 in

Length: 187.5 in

Width: 76.3 in

Height: 63.8 in

Passenger volume: 96 cu ft

Cargo volume: 19 cu ft

Curb weight: 4146 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec

Zero to 100 mph: 11.0 sec

Zero to 130 mph: 21.4 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec

Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 107 mph

Top speed (governor limited, C/D est): 155 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

75-mph highway driving: 28 mpg

Highway range: 480 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 23/20/27 mpg 

More Features and Specs