2022 BMW X4 First Look Review: Nip, Tuck And A New Mild Hybrid Setup
The 2022 BMW X4 "Sports Activity Coupe" debuted this week sporting a couple engine options, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The littler of the egg-shaped BMWs goes into production this summer, and should be on sale by the end of the year. It mirrors the X3 in terms of interior design and powertrain, with both the six-cylinder versions featuring a 48-volt electrical system with an 11-hp boost.
This is a midcycle update of the second-gen X4, which came out in 2018. We've already taken a deep dive on the M-branded X4 and X3, but now let's get into the nitty gritty of the models that will sell in higher volumes.
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Exterior: Sharper Teeth, Bigger Nose, Same Shape
The latest X4 gets a revised front end with thinner LED headlights, a new front bumper and a bigger kidney grille, though it's not quite as big as the toothy maw on the M3 and M4. That grille has mesh inserts, and the X4 can be changed with optional M Shadowline lights. The long hood, flat windshield and long wheelbase stay. The X4 is 2.2 inches lower than the X3, 1.7 inches longer and 1.1 inches wider. In back we get full LED taillights that extend from the body with a 3D design. New bicolor wheels are also available.
With the M Sport Package, the X4 gets a gloss black insert for the kidney grille, mirror caps, window frames and roof rails. The new rear bumper is from the X4 M and features a lower trim insert in the shape of an anvil. It's optional with 19-, 20- and 21-inch wheels. The X4 M40i is the top of the non-M X4s. It gets the black inserts, but also gets a free-form tailpipe in black chrome with two teeth. A new metallic finish called Piermont Red is now offered.
Interior: Two Of A Kind
The new X3 and X4 feature a similar interior, with a free-standing center console topped with a 12.3-inch touch display included in the Live co*ckpit Professional package, which is standard on the X4 (optional on the X3). Below that is a three-zone climate control featuring real buttons, which are better than fake buttons, but not as good as knobs. Below that is the audio control and the island in the middle now features all of your controls for start/stop, the electric parking brake, hill descent control, as well as the BMW Controller.
Sport seats with pronounced side bolsters are standard, covered in BMW's Sensa Tec synthetic leather. The X4 M40i is available with Vernasca leather in Canberra Beige/black, Tacora Red and Cognac. Eleven colors of ambient light is also optional. It can be set to turn on or off when you unlock the doors and can be dimmed at night.
Power and Panache
The X4 sports the same engines as last year. The xDrive30i comes with a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged I4 making 248 horsepower at 5,200-6,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft at 1,450-4,800 rpm. That leads to a 0-60 sprint time of 6 seconds and a top speed of either 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on tire choice.
The X4 M40i comes with the company's lovely B58 turbocharged inline six, also found in the excellent 4 Series. In this application it makes 382 hp at 5,800-6,500 rpm and 369 lb-ft at 1,800-5,000 rpm. That powerplant is good for a 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph and the same top speed.
Those M40i trims get a new 48-volt mild hybrid system recovering brake energy and storing it in an additional battery. It also harnesses engine drag torque and is adjustable depending on the drive mode. When more power is needed, the drive power flows back through the starter generator to support the engine. It only adds 11 hp, but smooths out the operation of the start/stop system. BMW says it can kill the engine at speeds below 9 mph, saving extra fuel as you roll up to a stoplight.
Safety Tech
Like most new cars, the X4 comes with a ton of safety tech including an updated Driving Assistant Professional package that offers the driver relief in traffic. The optional Parking Assistance package includes Traffic Jam assist for limited access highways. There's also Back-Up assistant, which helps retrace your way in tight or challenging situations. To make all of these decisions, the X4 processes camera images and data collected by ultrasonic and radar sensors. Standard systems include cruise control with braking function, as well as front collision warning for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Lane Departure warning and Active Blind Spot detection are also included.
Pricing And Competition
The BMW X4 xDrive30i starts at $52,795 including destination. The upgraded X4 M40i costs $63,395. The xDrive30i gets a $200 bump; the M40i is $700 more. It's most obvious competitor is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, which is offered in GLC 300 4Matic, AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC63 trims. The GLC 300 starts at $52,700 with destination, within 100 bucks of the X4. The GLC 43 comes in at $65,950. The base GLC matches up well with the base X4, offering 255 hp as opposed to BMWs 248 hp. The GLC 43 comes with 385 hp, just three horses over the Bimmer.
The Audi Q5 Sportback is a little cheaper at $49,490 and offers 261 hp and 273 lb-ft. The SQ5 Sportback costs $57,790 and delivers 349 hp and 369 lb-ft. It's also the least offensive looking of the three, and the one we'd pick with our money.
