2015 BMW X4 xDrive30d Review

Thanks to BMW, many motoring journalists the world over have egg on their faces. They chose to smugly deride the German styling team for the X6 full-size SUV.

But the buying public – this who part with their hard-earned – have voted with their wallets and the BMW X6 has been a massive seller in all global markets. It’s been so successful in fact that BMW has given the X6 a smaller brother – it’s called the X4 and it’s brilliant.

Just to be clear, we’ve always liked the BMW X6 – the full-size SUV with coupe-style looks. So it was with great anticipation we welcomed an X4 to the www.carshowroom.com.au garage.

 

BMW X4 Overview

We’ve just spent a week in the BMW X4 xDrive 30d – the range-topping turbo-diesel X4 model which is stickered at $84,200. The X4 lineup starts at $69,900 for the 2.0-litre xDrive 20i and the top of the totem pole belongs to the turbocharged six-cylinder petrol xDrive 35i which will set you back $87,900.

As usual, BMW equips the X4 with a massive array of technical and driver aid goodies and the whole kit is bundled into a sumptuously-finished, leather-clad package which oozes European sophistication. And then you have various options packs to further tempt you.

Meanwhile the BMW X6, the X4’s big brother, continues to sell-up a storm but we’re betting the smaller overall package of the X4 may prove very tempting to many buyers who may initially consider the X6.

 

BMW X4 Engine

The BMW xDrive 30d shares its single turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engines with other BMW models. One of those is the super-luxury 730d which should give you a clue about its refinement levels.

Maximum power is 190kW at 4000rpm and peak torque of 560Nm is delivered in a wide spread from1500rpm-3000rpm. Drive is to all four wheels via BMW’s intelligent xDrive system and the excellent eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters for slick manual changes.

Combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 5.9l/100kms and for zero to 100km/h you can chalk-up 5.8 seconds (that’s seven-tenths faster than Audi’s Q5 3.0 TDI Quattro).

 

BMW X4 The Interior

If you’re tossing-up between a BMW X4 and an X3, sliding inside reveals a noticeable difference – the X4 is closer to the road and occupants in both the front and back seats are similarly closer to the road. It’s an all-round sportier look and feel inside.

Styling-wise the X4 continues BMW’s current theme – very modern and sporty. And, as usual, the quality of leather, plastics and other trim materials is beyond reproach.

Multiple seat and steering wheel adjustments provide a super driving position. In fact, once comfortable behind the wheel you really don’t feel like you’re driving an SUV (BMW’s ‘SAV’ theme strikes again).

The layout and ergonomics of instruments and switches are the usual BMW affair and on the centre console is the familiar iDrive Touch Controller.

Those seated in the rear of the BMW X4 will mostly be comfortable when seated but one of our larger, clumsy mates did give his bonce a clout on the way in thanks to the rear doors being somewhat small.

The BMW X4’s rear seat split-folds 40/20/40 so it did cope with a golf outing. Luggage space is 500-litres with the rear seat in-place or 1400-litres when folded. So we’re giving practicality a green ‘tick’.

 

BMW X4 Exterior & Styling

Some styling critics (many of whom have never actually designed a car!) have fired a few barbs in the direction of the BMW X4 and the X6. But we’re not buying that for a second – a tad unfair we think to on one hand criticize the SUV genre for being boxy and then have a shot at BMW for the X4/X6 coupe-style approach.

BMW labels the ‘X’ family ‘Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV)’ and, yes we’ll concede the swooping coupe-like roofline may make the backseat uncomfortable for NBA players, but for most of the population there’s plenty of room. And, as we said, 500l/1400l is hardly a miniscule cargo area.

So we have the BMW X4, a smaller sibling of the X6, with an overall length of 4,671mm which is only 14mm longer than the X3. But there a lots of individual looks for the X4 which give it a distinctly different visual to its bigger mate - most notably a BMW-first dual ‘swage’ line (the first part runs from front wheel arches to the rear door handles and the second installment shapes the rear three-quarters).

That coupe roof has its highest point above the front seat occupants and slopes downwards to blend with the distinctive C-pillars to provide a uniquely muscular rear end.

Up-front is another ‘X model’ version of the famous ‘kidney’ grille, the usual four round headlights and below, the large cool air ducts which again are an ‘X-model’ standard. It all sits very low to the road again highlighting the BMW X4 is a ‘SAV’ rather than an off-roader for strenuous outback trail-digging.

Same at the rear with the X4 delivering a similar high tailgate made famous by the X6.

BMW X4 On The Road

Any discussion on the BMW X4 xDrive 30d’s driving dynamics deserves to start with the engine. The sonorous 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel delivers its 560Nm of torque in a wide range between 1500rpm-3000rpm – meaning it pulls strongly in every gear.

But that performance doesn’t come at a cost in terms of refinement. In fact BMW’s most powerful single turbocharged diesel operates with a hush which should embarrass some rivals –aided of course by the slick-shifting, sports-oriented eight-speed automatic transmission.

Underneath is that familiar double-joint spring front axle and five-link rear end plus BMW’s armada of high-tech stability systems. And, as the newest member of the ‘X’ family, no doubt the X4 benefits from years of suspension development on other models so it scoffs at any suggestion you can’t combine the terms ‘SUV’ and ‘Sporty Driving Dynamics’.

Over our high-speed mountain roads test loop, our X4 xDrive 30d was rapid, braked with surety, turned-in precisely, delivered a great mid-corner ‘set’ and showed hardly a trace of body roll. Not a BMW M5 naturally, but staggeringly good for an SUV.

Comparisons with the larger BMW X6? Well the X4’s bigger sibling is also astonishingly competent but we think the smaller overall size and lower weight of the X4 may pay dividends in the agility department.

And around town, naturally the BMW X4’s relatively smaller dimensions meant it was that much easier to maneuver and park (although the X6 is hardly a chore…in fact it’s one of our favourite SUVs).

 

BMW X4 Issues

We’re huge fans of the BMW X4 and there’s no doubt BMW has it bursting with standard equipment and technology. But the bottom line shows you can buy some well-credentialed rivals for a bit less coin.

 

BMW X4 Verdict

No doubt about it the BMW X4 is a Car Showroom Favourite. Critics have given uppercuts to the X4 (and the BMW X6) for their exterior style but, as we mentioned, we’re dismissing those points of view because we reckon these mucho-looking BMWs look great…so there!

Beyond dispute are the BMW X4’s classy/practical interior and ‘top-shelf’ driving dynamics. As good as the chassis is – and it’s fabulous – a big factor in the X4’s dynamics is the driveline…that six-cylinder turbo-diesel and eight-speed auto are both pearlers.

So while the BMW X4 may not be the sharpest-priced player in this league it does mount a compelling argument to being the best. Choosing between the X4 xDrive 30d and the petrol-fuelled X4 xDrive 35i ($4,000 more expensive at $87,900) would be a nice decision to grapple with.

 

BMW X4 The Competition

Audi Q5 is a Car Showroom Favourite and the excellent Q5 3.0 TDI Quattro looms as a rival for the BMW X4. A bit easier on the pocket at $76,100, the Q5 3.0 TDI Quattro employs Audi’s strong 180kW/580Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel (190kW/560Nm for the BMW X4 xDrive 30D) and provides all of the class you associate with Audi. Gorgeous and practical inside and a gem to drive.

Range Rover Evoque still turns heads and while the 140kW/420Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel is outgunned by the BMW X4’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder the Evoque Prestige SD4 is a relative bargain at $75,375. And the Evoque drives like you’d expect a Range Rover to drive – this is ‘Class’ with a capital ‘C’.