BMW X4 20d
STYLE DOESN’T COME cheap. That’s certainly true if you want the looks of a coupé with the toughness of an SUV. The new BMW X4 is closely based on the more conventional X3, but with a sportier drive and a coupé-on-stilts profile. The range starts from nearly £3000 more than the equivalent X3, but if you like the styling, you might be tempted to spend the extra. BMW offers the X4 with a range of petrol and diesel engines, with power outputs from 187bhp up to 355bhp. So far we’ve only had the chance to drive the least powerful diesel, but we certainly didn’t feel shortchanged. It’s the same engine under the bonnet of the Tow Car Awards’ reigning overall champion, the BMW 520d Touring, so we know it can cope with a sensibly matched tourer. Mid-range pull counts for more than peak power when towing, and the diesel’s 295lb ft of torque is enough for determined acceleration with a caravan in tow, and punchy performance in solo driving. It’s a refined and economical engine, too, returning 50.4-52.3mpg on the combined cycle, depending on the size of the alloys. Our test car was fitted with the optional adaptive suspension, and unfortunately there was no opportunity to compare it with the standard set-up. But past experience with BMWS suggests the £460 it costs is money well spent. There’s a firmness to the ride with the suspension set to ‘sport’, but ‘comfort’ strikes a near-ideal compromise, handling the worst lumps and bumps in the road with no pitching or wallowing. For such a big car with a relatively high centre of gravity, the X4 handles superbly – even better than the X3. The steering is well weighted and precise, and the car changes direction keenly. The X4 still makes a comfortable longdistance car. We’d like a little less road noise – a common complaint in cars with run-flat tyres – but otherwise, the X4 is refined and quiet at the legal limit. Look at the slope of the roofline and you might think you’ll be sacrificing space compared with a more conventional SUV. In reality, this is a roomy car. There’s comfortable headroom for adults in the back, and plenty of leg room. There’s also 525 litres of boot space – just 25 litres less than the X3. So the X4’s looks come with a financial penalty, but you pay a small price in terms of practicality.