Is it a coupe or a sport-utility? You decide
The BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe, launched in 2014, is all new for its second generation for 2019, with sportier proportions, a wider track, lower centre of gravity, improved aerodynamics and updated suspension settings.
The X4 commands attention with a coupe-like roofline, athletic curves and compelling colour choices.
A new panoramic two-panel moon roof lets in more light and air, with a power shade to reduce glare as needed.
The X4 now has three-zone climate control and a segment-leading 75 per cent larger multicolour head-up display. Standard Navigation Professional has a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display, iDrive Touch Controller on the centre console, and cloudpowered intelligent voice control, real-time traffic, and parking information. Navigation directions and other driver-related information are displayed on the HUD just below the driver’s field of vision.
X4 has standard frontal collision warning and automatic city collision mitigation and braking, including daytime pedestrian detection.
The standard Active Protection pre- and postcrash safety system identifies critical situations and acts before, during and after an incident.
Two models are available: xDrive 30i and M40i. Both have standalone design features and modelspecific 19-inch light-alloy wheels. Colours, wheels and interior trims vary depending on the trim chosen.
A 248-horsepower 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo inline four-cylinder engine powers the xDrive 30i, while a 3.0-litre BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine powers the M40i, both paired with an eight-speed Sport Steptronic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters and Launch Control function.
BMW’s xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive is standard, as well as Driving Dynamics Control with Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro, and Sport Plus modes.
XDrive permanent all-wheel drive is lighter and more efficient than before, with precise electronic control of the rear-biased 40/60 system changing when road surface or driving conditions change, enhancing traction over loose terrain for tremendous off-road capabilities.
The Dynamic Stability Control system with Antilock Braking, Brake Drying, Dynamic Traction Control, Automatic Differential Brake, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Brake Standby, Brake Fade Compensation, Start-Off Assistant and Hill Descent Control enhances the sporty, sure footed handling of the X4. DSC maximizes traction to all wheels, detects over- and under-steering, and maintains control even in adverse conditions or on tough surfaces.
Performance Control torque vectoring varies drive torque to the rear wheels according to the situation at hand to help eliminate under- and oversteer and increase directional stability.
My xDrive 30i was an xLine sub-trim with special front and rear underguard elements and rocker panels in Glacier Silver metallic that accentuated the vehicle’s off-road appearance, and window surrounds and styling accents in satin aluminum.
A smoothly rising sill line and an elongated Hofmeister kink at the base of the C-pillar, and the roofline dipping steeply to the rear, emphasized the dynamic character of the X4. Clean horizontal lines across the back and wide-set twin exhaust tips magnified the width of the rear.
The interior was roomy and inviting, with redesigned sport seats featuring boldly contoured bolsters for excellent lateral support and manual thigh extensions on the front seats.
Aluminum trim pieces had accent strips in pearleffect chrome, giving the doors and centre stack an air of elegance. The upper door accent pieces extended to meet the dash, where an “X” logo was embossed into the surface — an unexpected, eyecatching detail.
Well-placed, easy-to-use controls were set in glossy black. Ambient lighting in six selectable colours surrounded the centre stack and instrument panel, highlighted the door panels and accented the footwells.
Large storage trays, roomy door pockets, lots of cupholders and smaller compartments offered plenty of places to stow personal items. Multiple USB ports kept passengers connected.
Three full-size seats in the rear with adjustable back had an additional inch of legroom, a 12-volt outlet and adjustable temperature controls. My X4 had Wi-Fi for up to 10 mobile devices.
Cargo capacity in the trunk was 18.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 50.5 cubic feet with the 40/20/40 rear seat backs folded. Additional hidden storage was available under the cargo floor. Sliding multifunction tie-downs were located on tracks on each side of the cargo floor.
The iDrive operating system provides more flexible and ergonomic control of vehicle, navigation, communication, and infotainment functions, with tile-style menu layout on the freestanding monitor. The latest voice control allows natural speech patterns to find points of interest, such as “find a bakery near me.”
Crowd-sourced vehicle-to-vehicle communication with digital mapping company Here sends advance warning of hazardous traffic situations to the navigation system of the pertinent vehicle and other BMWs in the vicinity. It’s sort of BMWs interpretation of radio-to-radio information for truckers.
A Parking Assistance Package ($700) helps locate a parking space, then steers the vehicle into the spot, either parallel or perpendicular. The package included Parking Assistant Plus, Active Park Distance Control, a rearview camera and Surround View with 3-D view. Parking Assistant Plus has the ability to park the vehicle remotely, using a compatible mobile device.
Standard safety measures included Active Protection, which pre-tensions belts and closes windows and the moon roof when an accident situation is imminent. An Attentiveness Assistant monitors the driver’s behaviour for signs of fatigue or inattention, then displays a notification suggesting a break.
Night Vision Pedestrian Detection illuminates the person or animal, flashing a red icon, sounds an alarm and prepares the brakes. Intelligent Emergency Call has automatic location and severity detection, even below the threshold for air-bag deployment, and help is available at the push of a button, or automatically if needed.
With a ground clearance of 20 centimetres and a fording depth of 50 cm, the BMW X4 is ready to conquer nearly any terrain.
In short, my X4 was attractive, comfortable, versatile and well equipped with lots of special features.