Quite recently, we talked about the 2022 BMW X3 and what makes it so much better than its predecessor. When we talk about BMW’s compact SUV, we cannot go without talking about its sportier counterpart – the X4. Like its slightly more practical sibling, the 2022 BMW X4 has also undergone numerous improvements, in order to stay up to stay relevant and to keep up with the competitiveness on the SUV market.

Exterior

Just like on the X3, the X4’s exterior now features sharper angles and, overall, a more aggressive design. Narrower LED headlights flank the new enlarged kidney grille, which is finished in satin aluminum – an option exclusive to the sportier BMW models. The lower fascia has also adopted a more radical design, featuring bigger vents with sharper angles, which extend almost to the headlights. As standard, you get the LED Matrix LED lights, but you can also opt for the Shadow Line M lights.

The X4’s most distinctive feature is, without a doubt, the rear.The rear end is also revised, featuring a flat LED taillight design and a new rear apron, which extends to a larger portion of the bumper and is finished in gloss black. The reflector lights have also been relocated and are vertically positioned near the vents, at the edges of the rear bumper.

The X4 may be a lower, wider, and longer version of the X3, but BMW wants to give it a bit more individuality. Other than the aforementioned distinctive exterior features, the X4 also gets an Exclusive Piedmont Red metallic paint finish.

Interior

The 10.25-inch infotainment screen is standard and an optional 12.3-inch is available. Over-the-air updates enable the X4 to stay up to date, while the enhanced capabilities of the Intelligent Personal Assistant should make interaction with the X4’s functions a lot easier.

According to BMW, the enhanced Intelligent Personal Assistant will now allow you to control many of the X4’s functions through naturally spoken commands. You can regulate the air conditioning, open/close windows, change driving modes, and open the News App.

Also standard for 2022 are the Sports seats with Sensatec upholstery. The seats together with parts of the interior can be finished in a wide variety of colors, among which Black, Canberra Beige, Cognac, and Taco Ted. You can opt for even sportier seats. They can be had in exclusive colors like Vernasca leather in black, Mocha, Oyster, and Taco Red.

Interior space is plentiful although headroom will not be as generous as in the X3, due to the sloped roofline. Still, the interior among the most generous and flexible in the segment. Moreover, the 40:20:40-split rear seat folds down, increasing the cargo capacity from 18.54 cubic feet (525 liters) to 50.5 cubic feet (1,430 liters), which is more than some compact SUV/SAV models.

Drivetrain

It wouldn’t be a comprehensive facelift without changes to the powertrain options. The biggest change here is the addition of a 48-volt Mild Hybrid system to all engine options. The base 20i and 20d feature 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four units. The 20i develops 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet (300 Nm), while the 20d puts out 190 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm). The 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint happens in 8.0 (20i) and 7.5 seconds (20d) respectively.

The 30i is still equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo-four, but the output is now 245 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm), with a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds. The 30d on the other hand utilizes a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel with 286 horsepower and 480 pound-feet (650 Nm). This is enough for a sprint to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

Next, we have the mild M-versions M40d and M40i. The diesel version hass a more powerful version of the 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 340 horsepower and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm), allowing for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.7 seconds.

We expect the 30i to be the most popular choice. Plenty of performance and reasonable fuel economy. According to the WLTP standard, the 30i could average around up to 31.3 mpg (7.5L/100 km). The M40i on the other hand returns an also respectable 27.0 mpg (8.7L/100 km).

Unlike the X3, the X4 cannot be had as a plug-in hybrid. Regardless of the engine choice, power goes to all four wheels through BMW’s Xdrive system and the tried and tested eight-speed ZF automatic.

Price

The X4 hits the market with a starting price of $52,795. This will land you the X4 30i, which will be available on all markets. The M40i will set you back $63,395. The 2022 X4 is, on average, $5,000 more expensive than the 2022 X3.

Competition

Mercedes GLC Coupe

The Mercedes GLC-Coupe is probably the closest car to the X4. Just like its Bavarian rival, the representative from Stuttgart is about to receive a substantial revision. It is a well-known fact that Mercedes, BMW, and Audi are constantly matching each other, segment for a segment. Just like the X4 is a sportier coupe version of the X3, the GLC Coupe is a more performance-oriented version of the normal GLC.

In terms of interior space, the two rivals are quite similar. The GLC Coupe offers slightly less cargo space at 17.7 to 49.5 cubic feet (500-1,400 liters). On the other hand, the Mercedes GLC Coupe offers a lot more engine options, with whole three of them being AMG variants, two of which powered by the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. However, only petrol engines benefit from mild-hybrid technology.

Price-wise the GLC 300 Coupe, believed to be the most popular choice will set you back $51,650, which is slightly less than the equivalent X4 30i. The 2.0-liter turbo-four packs 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm), which allows for a sprint to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

Read our full review on the Mercedes GLC Coupe

Porsche Macan

The Porsche Macan has to be included when we talk about compact performance SUV or SAV vehicles. Although it doesn’t claim to be a SAC, it still has a sporty look to it. The front row benefits from a driver-centric layout with a high center console, just like in the brand’s sportier offerings. Interior space on the second row is adequate, but not as plentiful as in the X4. Despite not being a SAC (Sports Activity Coupe), you still get a rather sloped roofline, which robs a bit of headroom.

You still get 40:20:40 foldable rear seats, which translates into 17.7 to 53.0 cubic feet (500-1,500 liters) of cargo capacity, which only slightly edges the X4’s maximum cargo capacity.

No flat-four engine here. The base version of the Macan is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. It produces 245 horsepower and 273 pound-feet (370 Nm). They are sent to all four wheels, through the lightning-quick PDK automatic. This translates into a 6.2-second time to 60 mph (97 km/h). No hybrid powertrains here, just pure petrol. This might change with the model's revision, later on.

Price-wise, the base Macan can be had for $57,800. The top-of-the-line Turbo commands a $96,500 premium.

Read our full review on the Porsche Macan

Conclusion

The BMW X4 is, for the X3, as the 4-Series is for the 3-Series. It’s a meaner, lower, wider, more performance-oriented version of a great all-rounder. The X4 retains about 90 percent of the X3’s practicality and adds a more unapologetic personality. It’s an SAV that wants to be a nimble sports car. And although it’s a tall order, the X4 comes dangerously close to being one.

Probably no one will take their X4 off-road, for that the X3 is the better car, but it can still play in the dirt when it really needs to. In the end, however, the X4 will probably remain on the road, which is actually where its full potential can be revealed. Nevertheless, like the X3, it remains a solid contender in a very busy market niche.

What Changed

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