Best Year BMW X4

‍2019 BMW X4

The X4 was redesigned in 2019, and it is impressive to see how the new look sets new trends for crossovers in style and performance.

Although it borrows many features from the X3, we would not exactly call it the X3's coupe version. Under the uniquely shaped body, the X4 is equipped with a sportier suspension and delivers quite a different driving experience.

The vehicle is available in two trims, the xDrive30i and the M40i. Both come with different engines and are targeted to different buyers.

Design Features

The first thing that draws attention to the 2019 BMW X4 is the tapered rear end, which will undoubtedly turn heads in the parking lot and on the road. In addition to the unique shape, the crisp creasing and the 19-inch rims give the vehicle a sporty look.

It is still hard to overlook how the rear end prioritizes fashion over shape. In fact, we think that the vehicle is so dramatic in terms of fashion that it is willing to trade rear-seat comfort for its unique shape and appearance.  

Upfront, it wears the traditional kidney grille, which you will find on almost every vehicle produced by Bayerische Motoren Werke, commonly well-known as BMW. Outboards from the grill are swooping headlights, which blend well with the front bumper and the hood. All fascia features give the car a balanced appearance when looked at head-on.

From the side, the car features a high and narrow window line with impressive creases running from the front to the rear. The sharply sweeping roofline makes the vehicle's rear end appear elongated. The front windows seem significantly taller than the rear windows, pointing to the declining headroom towards the rear. The fenders swell at the wheel wells, and the rear door holds part of the wheel well.

The vehicle appears smaller than it is when looked at from the rear. The built-in rear spoiler strives to give the vehicle a balanced look. The narrow and stylish taillights leave ample room between and below them for badges and emblems.

On the inside, the X4 feels premium and upscale. It features a low dashboard equipped with slender vents and buttons that are organized neatly. The contour of the center vents frame completes the frame bordering the buttons and controls underneath. The center infotainment screen sits above these vents.

Some critics consider the interior to be a tad too toned down compared to such a flaunty and extraordinary exterior.

Performance Features

The 2019 BMW X4 is available with two powertrains. The standard xDrive30i is equipped with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine, producing 248 hp and 258 pound-feet torque. What impresses us more is how responsive the X4 is off the line compared to most other rivals.

BMW has intensely tuned the engine for maximum performance through precise throttle management and high-pressure fuel injection. They work together to make the X4 a smooth and quick runner.

The M40i variant delivers 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft torque from its turbocharged 3.0-liter, inline-6 engine for those who crave more power and performance over comfort. On the M40i, the all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, which means more power goes to the rear wheels than the front.

The M Sport differential is fed with several chassis sensors and can adjust the powers between the axles by controlling the axle locking power.

Both variants are equipped with a super-sensing, fast reacting, and smooth-shifting automatic transmission with eight speeds. The transmission pairs well with the engine's power and are tuned to deliver high performance.

Since the vehicle shares its platform with the X3, it borrows the suspension design from the sibling. One of the reasons we picked this vehicle as the best year BMW X4 was how the suspension had been improved over the past generation. The suspension comprises lightweight components and is tuned to make the most of the low center of gravity this vehicle has to offer. It delivers an excellent ride quality and makes the vehicle fun to drive with crisp handling.

The steering wheel feels plush and firm, but its performance quickly reminds us that the X4 is a crossover and not a sports sedan. It can feel a little sluggish in terms of road response.

The sports exhaust on the X4 gives out a rough noise, but you will hardly hear it with active noise cancellation and premium level insulation in the cabin. For those willing to spend extra, the car comes with optional adaptive dampers, which allow the driver to toggle between Sport and Comfort modes.

Comfort and Space Features

The 2019 X4 has a lavish, comfortable, and well-shaped interior, at least when you are in the front seats. The car focuses more on style than practicality, so luggage and extra passengers are not on its priorities list.

The front seats are well-bolstered and supportive. They are very comfortable for long trips and do not cause fatigue even for day-long trips. There is ample side support and cushioning if you like to push the X4 to its handling limits. The seats are positioned well, and along with the slim roof pillars and low dash, ensure good outside visibility.

The rear seat offers more legroom than previous models, but the sharply swooping roofline takes a toll on the headroom. It can be a little challenging to enter and exit the rear seat, and first-timers will most likely bump their heads against the sheet metal during entry.

Once settled in the rear seat, the passengers notice enough room for two adults and plenty of legroom. Fitting three adults can get a little uncomfortable for most people, but it is possible. However, the headroom and visibility are limited by the low roofline.

Behind the rear seat, there is some cargo space; it is considerably less than the X3, again due to the roofline. The X4 offers 18.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, matching most mid-sized sedans. There is 50.5 cubic feet of space behind the front seats with the seats folded down. But a uniquely opening tailgate means it is best to get cargo delivered by other means.

 There are plenty of small storage bins located around the cabin. The door pockets are deep, and there are cup holders for all four passengers. The glove box is reasonably sized, as is the console box located between the two front seats.

Safety Features

NHTSA or IIHS has not rated the 2019 BMW X4. Quite frankly, it costs a bit too much and does not shine in sales volume.  

But as you would expect from a vehicle of this caliber, it is well-equipped with advanced safety features that follow.

• Frontal collision detection with emergency braking can detect any obstacles such as road barriers, slow-moving, or stopped vehicles in the path of the vehicle. The system can then warn the driver and trigger emergency braking to avoid contact with the obstacle. On the X4, this system can also detect pedestrians.
• A crash detection system can roll up the windows and tighten the seatbelts when it detects an unavoidable collision.
• Telematics is a system that notifies emergency services if the X4 suffers an accident.
• There are six bags located around the cabin, including frontal, side-impact, and overhead airbags, to keep the occupants protected in all kinds of crashes.

For those willing to spend a little more, the X4 comes with the following optional safety features:

• Adaptive cruise control can slow down the car to follow the vehicle ahead.
• Stop and go mode follows the car ahead during a traffic jam. The X4 automatically stops and moves forward without driver input.
• Active lane control can make correcting measures to the steering wheel if it notices the vehicle veering out of the lane.
• The Surround-view system makes maneuvering the X4 in tight places and parking it much easier by giving a 360-degree view of the vehicle.

Accessory Features

The 2019 BMW X4 is available in two trims, the xDrive30i and the M40i. It comes with many standard features but even more optional features. Here are some of the salient features found on the xDrive30i:

• A 10.25-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and 12-speaker audio system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 10-way power-operated front seats
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Panoramic moonroof

Many car critics have praised the infotainment system found on the X4. It is equipped with abundant features and is significantly more straightforward to use than those found on other BMWs.

 The following features are available as options on the xDrive30i:

• Proximity Key with keyless entry and ignition
• Hands-free tailgate
• Automatic parking
• Heads up display
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• Optional safety features discussed above

The M40i is equipped with a more powerful engine and adds the following features as standard:

• Adaptive suspension allows the driver to toggle between sport and normal modes. This feature tweaks the suspension and the throttle response to deliver improved performance in Sports mode.
• Satellite radio is added to the infotainment system.
• Proximity Key with keyless entry and ignition comes as standard.

The M40i does not add too many luxury features in the cabin and comes with the same options as the xDrive30i. With the M badge, BMW expects its customers to understand that the M40i is oriented towards better performance than the xDrive30i and not necessarily better equipped with luxury features.

Fuel Economy Features

For conventional shoppers, the 2019 BMW X4 might seem thirsty. But the X4 is not made for conventional shoppers. We think that its fuel economy is not too bad, especially if we consider the power this vehicle delivers.

The EPA ratings of the 2019 BMW X4 are as follows:

• The xDrive30i can manage 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on highways, and 25 mpg combined
• The M40i achieves 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on highways, and 23 mpg combined

The xDrive30i is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, whereas the M40i is equipped with a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine.

Price Range of 2019 BMW X4

The prices of the best year BMW X4 can significantly vary with the optional features installed. However, the prices range between $47,000 and $56,000, with an average price of approximately $51,500. Other factors affecting the prices are location, mileage, vehicle condition, and trim level.  

Reliability of 2019 BMW X4

According to J.D Power, the BMW X4 is "Better than Most" regarding reliability. The vehicle gets a rating of four out of five, which is highly dependable.