BMW’s new X4 is possibly the trendiest Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) (or rather, a Sports Activity Coupe according to its maker) in the market. Over the last decade, the world of SUVs has gone through several iterations when it comes to size, style, performance, and technology. As with any vehicle launch, there are great models and then there are the not so successful ones. Some traded a bigger engine for efficiency, while others were short on features and comfort. Despite having sold over 200,000 units worldwide since 2014, the first generation of the BMW X4 underperformed. Now, with an overhaul and a facelift, the new Sports Activity Vehicle is ready to win you over.
Here are three things we like about the new BMW X4.
Pedal-happy
As with any of the X-Series, it’s built with several settings to match your driving styles. Whether you enjoy cruising in comfort mode or “pedal-happy” on the sports mode – responsive power, stiffer suspension (like we do) – there’s no lack in power. The 2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with eight-speed Steptronic transmission and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology takes us from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
With the maximum output of 360 hp and peak torque of 500 Nm, the throttle is responsive and acceleration rapid. Better yet, with that amount of power, and superb road handling on both straights and curves, it brings out the robust nature of the car.
In the driver’s seat
As you would expect from any mid-to-high level BMW sedan, the cabin of the new BMW X4 has inherited all the usual luxury trademarks of the brand complete with high tech features. Standard sports seats are clothed in leather covers and interior trim strips in high-gloss black with accent strips in pearl-effect chrome for a touch of elegance, while the audio and air-conditioning control panels come with a pearl-effect chrome surround and high-gloss black highlights.
The driver-focus cockpit design features a 10.25-inch display, and includes touchscreen functionality with the latest version of the iDrive operating system to control car settings from navigation to communication and infotainment functions.
Its layout with three full-size seats in the rear compartment also frees up as much as 27 millimetres of legroom over its predecessor. The boot has a capacity of 525 litres and the load space can be expanded to a maximum of 1,430 litres as required by folding down the sections of the rear backrest, with its standard 40:20:40 split.
The look
The design team at BMW has done a great job with the new facelift. The silhouette of the new Sports Activity Coupe measuring 4,752 millimetres (length), 1,918 millimetres (width), and 1,621 millimetres (height) is updated with a more dynamic and better-proportioned styling over the outgoing model.
The aerodynamic design with a lower center of gravity, but slightly higher than a sedan, is intended to create a sportier driving experience. The new striking front end is adorned with a large BMW kidney grille in three-dimensional for a more imposing profile.
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