This week we are taking a look at the 2019 BMW X4 xDrive30i. BMW calls it a Sport Activity Coupe even though it has four doors. The coupe designation comes from the sloping roofline, and a term used by other automakers.
Under the hood, this BMW has a 2-liter 4-cylinder that is turbocharged and putting out 248-horses and 258 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic that you can shift from paddles on the steering wheel, but you probably won’t want to use them, the transmission does a better job. The xDrive designation means it is all-wheel drive.
There is also a 3-liter six-cylinder available with 355-horses.
The 2019 model is 3” longer and a little over an inch wider than the 2018, and the roof slopes slightly more for a more aggressive look.
Overall the X4 looks terrific from the outside. I particularly love the 20” wheels, the Led headlights, the front and side vents that help the turbo, and the overall lines.
I am extremely impressed with the Vernasca leather seats, and the overall look of the interior, except the dash itself…it looks a bit too plasticky for my taste, but the red seats are a nice departure from what I normally see.
The gauges are clean and easy to see through the multi-function steering wheel, and the gauges change colors when you choose one of the drive modes, a nice touch.
The center console is where you choose from those drives modes. Your choices are Eco Sport, Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus, which is of course where I spend all my time. There you can also turn on the Auto Hold system, where you don’t have to leave your foot on the brake when you stop. There is also a wireless charging station for your phone.
The console is also where the i-Drive controller is housed, and that runs everything on a 10.25-inch screen high on the dash. The i-Drive has become much simpler to use in recent years and is actually quite instinctive.
Everything is easy to figure out and you can scroll from navigation to vehicle settings, to communication, to connected drive where all the apps are, including news and weather. Keep going right and you get to your media and radio options, and finally notifications from the factory.
The i-drive system also has gesture control. You can wave your finger to the right to turn the volume up, or to the left to turn it down. It’s useless but cool.
It’s a Bimmer so it comes loaded with standard features like Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi connectivity, navigation, panoramic moonroof, parking sensors, and power tailgate that is foot-activated. It also has the start/stop system that can be turned off, handily right under the push button start.
My tester has roughly $10,000 in options. Most notable are: Driver Assistance Plus Package, which is blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and frontal collision warning.
It also has Parking Assist that features parking sensors and a terrific 360-degree backup camera. It has the Convenience Group, which is lumbar seats and an access key that stores all your last settings, including your air conditioning temperature and seat adjustments. This is an awesome feature.
The Premium Package gets you a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, and a large colorful head-up display.
Other miscellaneous options are Dynamic Damper Control, performance tires, and the wireless cell phone charging.
The X4 is impressive to drive, especially in Sport Plus mode. The steering and handling are fantastic, the transmission shifts quickly, and the throttle is responsive. In the other drive modes, especially Eco Pro, the 2-liter feels a little timid.
The cargo area is large, and the second-row seats can be dropped from handles in the cargo area. Beware: the back seat legroom and headroom are going to be tight for adults, especially if they are over six feet tall, thanks to that swooping roofline.
I have to say, overall, this X4 is a ton of fun to drive, I like the exterior and interior appearance, and gas mileage isn’t bad at 22 in town and 29 on the highway. It feels much more like a sports car than an SUV.
MSRP is well in line with other similar SUVs at about $61,500. If that is in your price range, this is one you should put on your shopping list.
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