The sportier, more stylish brother to the excellent X3.

The BMW X4, first introduced in 2014, is the latest SUV/coupe crossover from the German manufacturer. Based on the same platform as the X3 SUV, the X4 features a swooping design that has won as many plaudits as it has detractors. It’s certainly unique, that’s for sure. On the road the X4 handles pretty well, and you’ll also get plenty of kit as standard. There’s very little to fault with the X4 overall, but you will pay more for the X4’s swooping design.

Plenty of quality on show, but not the most practical.

Interior

When you buy a luxury product like a BMW, you expect an interior to match. Thankfully the X4 doesn’t disappoint. Practicality is hindered somewhat by the car’s design, but you’ll at least get plenty of kit as standard.

Dashboard

The interior design of the X4 is one of real quality, but it’s a little dated compared to some rivals. Despite this, the materials used across the dashboard feel genuinely prestigious, which is essential in a car of this class. It could be a little sportier however. Controls are simple and easy to use, whilst there’s plenty of practical storage solutions in the front. Overall it’s pretty good, and few buyers will be disappointed when they step into an X4.

Capacity

Practicality is one of the few areas that the X4 disappoints. There’s plenty of legroom in the rear, but headroom is restricted by the sloping roofline. The middle seat is also only really useful to children, due to its narrowness, and further reduced headroom. The 500 litre boot capacity is pretty reasonable however, though you do get 50 litres less than you do in the more practical X3. You do compromise on practicality for the car’s looks, but it still has enough to offer for family buyers.

Equipment

Equipment is generous in the X4, no matter which trim you go for. The entry-level SE trim comes with enough for most. You’ll get alloy wheels, air-con, cruise control, parking sensors, sat-nav, heated seats, DAB, and Xenon headlights with this trim. Mid-range X-Line models add sports seats and classier alloy wheels, whilst range-topping M Sport trim adds a sporty bodykit, and more prestigious interior trim.

Overall the interior of the X4 is pretty impressive. The design of the cabin is a bit dated, but it’s hard to argue with the quality. Practicality is decent enough, whilst equipment is so generous, it’s almost not worth upgrading from the entry-level trim.

A great blend of fun and comfort.

BMWs have throughout the brand’s history been some of the best handling cars on the road. The X4 is no different. The sharp, agile steering allows you to really throw it into a tight corner with full confidence. Body roll is also kept well in check, which only adds to the fun cornering experience. It’s certainly a better car to drive than the X3, which is itself a pretty entertaining car for a family-focused SUV.

Suspension and Chassis

What the X4 does brilliantly is to combine fun with comfort. Often when cars such as the X4 are set up to be drivers’ cars, they compromise on ride quality. This isn’t the case with the X4. It handles even the harshest bumps with relative ease, whilst city centre potholes shouldn’t upset the applecart too much. M Sport models, with their stiffer suspension and bigger alloy wheels, are noticeably stiffer however, which is something worth bearing in mind.

Transmission

Gearbox options in the X4 come in two guises. The entry level 20d is the only model in the range to feature a manual transmission. The six-speed unit is decent enough, though it isn’t really suited to the X4’s upmarket character. Thankfully, the rest of the range is fitted with a fantastic eight-speed semi-automatic. It’s great to use in both manual and automatic mode, with smooth, refined gear changes, and enough responsiveness to react quickly for when you need a quick burst of acceleration.

A great range of impressive diesels.

When it comes to deciding how you want to power your X4, you’ve only really got one option. There are three engines in the range, but all of them are diesels. For a coupe/SUV crossover this won’t be an issue for most, especially as they’re all economical, and pack enough punch.

Best Performance

If you want the power from your X4 to match the sporty styling, the standout engine in the range is the range-topping 35d. The 3.0 litre diesel unit produces an impressive 313bhp, and will accelerate from 0-62mph in a blisteringly quick 5.2 seconds. That’s quicker than some sports cars. This model is marginally more expensive to run than the rest of the range however, but it still manages to return a respectable 47mpg.

Best Efficiency

Eco-friendly buyers don’t usually go for luxury SUVs as their car of choice, but they won’t be too disappointed with the X4 range. The most eco-friendly engine is undoubtedly the entry-level 20d, which produces 136g/km of CO2 emissions. It’s not going to win any awards, but with a tax bill of just £130, it at least won’t cost much each year to run. This model is also the best for money savers, thanks to 54mpg fuel economy. All of the engines in the range are reasonably light on fuel however, so it really does depend on how much power you think you’ll need.

Whichever engine you go for in your X4, you’re going to get a great balance of power and fuel economy. None of the engines are what you’d call green, but they’re not bad for a car in this class. The 20d will probably be the best option for most buyers however.

Not yet tested by NCAP, but you’ll get plenty of safety kit as standard.

Unfortunately, the BMW X4 hasn’t yet been tested by the boffins at NCAP. It’s essentially the same car as the X3 structurally however, and that managed to achieve the highest possible 5-star NCAP safety rating. With scores of 88% in adult safety, 83% in child safety, 53% in pedestrian safety, and 71% in safety assist. With the X4 you’ll get plenty of safety kit as standard. All models in the range come with six airbags, a tyre-pressure monitor, and BMW Emergency Call, which contacts emergency services in the event of an accident.

Decent value for money, if you avoid the cost of new-car depreciation.

The BMW X4 isn’t a cheap car to buy from new. In fact it’s notably more expensive than the more practical X3. Despite this, there are some pretty great used car bargains on the market. If you go for one of these, it won’t cost you too much to run each day. All models are fuel efficient, with no model achieving less than 47mpg. Car tax isn’t too expensive either, though it’s not quite as eco-friendly as some of its rivals.

Insurance

Insurance costs for the X4 depend on entirely on which model you go for. Though it’s not exactly cheap, it won’t cost you any more than it would for an equivalent rival. The range starts in group 31 for the entry-level xDrive20d SE, and climbs up towards group 43 for the range-topping xDrive35d M Sport Step Auto.

Depreciation

Depreciation is a factor to consider with the BMW X4, but only if you choose to buy from new. With first year depreciation as high as high as ever, you’re better off opting for an inspected used equivalent.

The BMW X4 is a very good car indeed. But it’s added cost compared to the X3 will make it seem pointless for a lot of buyers. Especially considering its reduced practicality. But if you’re interested in a more positive driving experience, and more head-turning looks, the X4 is still a fantastic SUV. Go for a used model that’s already taken the depreciation hit, and you might just be able to get the looks, without spending any extra.

Buying a used BMW X4 online with Carspring

If you’re after a used BMW X4 for sale, it can all feel like a bit of an ordeal. What, with long days spent around gigantic car supermarkets, or time spent trawling through classified websites, looking for that ideal used BMW X4. Carspring makes it simple. Buy your next used BMW X4 online with the touch of a button. Simply decide on the model you want and choose how you want to pay.

Looking to finance your used BMW X4? Not a problem, we work with our carefully selected finance partners to ensure that, if you’re paying monthly for your used X4, you know you’re getting the best rates. What’s more, with any Carspring used BMW X4, you also get our 14-day money-back guarantee and 6 months’ free Warranty. Plus, you don’t have to leave your home. We’ll deliver your used BMW to you at a time and place of your choice.

*This is an approximate figure based on the range of the car’s list price and the AA’s average 1st-year depreciation cost of 40%.