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The BMW X4 comes with both petrol and diesel engine options
Performance – BMW offers the X4 in 3 engines – 20d, 30i and the one we tested which also happens to be the range-topper and the one that differentiates the X4 from the X3, the 30d. The straight-6 motor displaces 3000cc, belts out 265 HP and 620 Nm, more than enough to match the show of the sporty derriere. Acceleration is brisk as turbo lag is well contained but it’s not really in the meat of the storm in the low-end, it’s only past 2000 RPM that there is a big gush of torque which pins you back in the seat, the diesel motor revving eagerly till 5000 RPM before a quick upshift is made by the 8-speed torque converter gearbox. This oil burner is refined at low revs but gets vocal once you get past 4000 RPM but the X4’s NVH seems to be the best of the BMW pack which employs this fab motor.
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One can take manual control of the fast and smooth 8-speed gearbox
The motor provides punchy performance while returning decent fuel economy
Multiple drive modes help you alter the engine, gearbox, steering and the springs. In Sport mode, it’s the most eager and pulls really strongly, in fact, 0-100 km/hr takes just 6.1 seconds and top speed is governed at 250 km/hr. You can opt to manually shift gears too, by pushing the gear lever into manual mode and using either the tiptronic function or the steering mounted paddles, the motor revs all the way past 5500 RPM and won’t upshift unless and until you do so. With enough grunt lower down, city drivability is good while the pull from the engine in the mid-range is the real highlight of this powertrain. Fuel economy is between 10-14 km/l and the Eco Pro drive mode does help to extend the efficiency numbers.
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The X4 has good ride quality in Comfort mode along with minimal body roll
Driving Dynamics – The suspension of the X4 is set up on the stiffer side but with adaptive dampers, the car rides well in Comfort mode, stiffening up the dampers in Sport mode. This coupe SUV does ride well on most roads but big bumps catch it out, you need to dial down the pace to clear them, while also keeping the low profile tyres in check. Body roll is well contained, the X4 is eager around the corners with plenty of grip on offer. The steering does weigh up but feels a bit artificial and doesn’t evoke the same natural feel we are so used to with BMW cars. The brakes on the X4 offer very strong stopping power and the car remained glued to the road at high speeds, with little to no road or tyre noise creeping inside.
