2019 BMW X4 first driving review: A sportier sports coupe

Although I do not really like cross-cuts as a segment, the truth is that people are buying them – BMW has sold some 200,000 X4s worldwide since 2014. And as I test the # 39; 2019 X4 second-generation sports event Coupe "near its birthplace in Spartanburg, South Carolina, I can somehow see why.With the tough roads that climb and plunge through the mountains, the performance of the X4 are really growing on me.

In Sport Mode, the X4 xDrive30i is firmly planted in turns.Its 20-inch (19-Series) wheels are wrapped in 245 / 45R20 at the front and the tires Bridgestone Alenza at the rear 275 / 40R20 offer good grip.In the meantime, the optional adaptive suspension prevents the body from flopping all over.The weight of the steering is a bit too heavy and the feedback is insufficient, but the response to the turn is almost immediate and the brakes erase the speed with confidence. The new X4 has a wider track and a lower center of gravity than its predecessor, two features that automatically improve overall handling.

For cornering uphill and cornering, the X4's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is energetic enough with 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the latter being conveniently in line between 1,450 and 4,800 rpm. / min. The cogs exchange is a familiar ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, providing fast, smooth changes in automatic mode and also providing excellent response to manual shift controls. The powertrain gets the X4 xDrive30i 4,146 pounds at 60 mph in 6 seconds, according to BMW. The EPA certified fuel economy ratings are not yet available only, although the same-size X3 with the same engine gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highways.

When I came out of the mountain and back on flat ground, the comfort mode smooths the X4's behavior. The steering lighter, the suspension softens for better handling, and the transmission installs for a more relaxed ride. Surprisingly, tire noise is not very important in 20-inch turns, nor the wind noise on the highway, thanks largely to the sliding drag coefficient of the X4 of 0.30.

The X4's quiet interior is something I've experienced in the X3, which has itself been redesigned for the 2018 model year. The cabin is nicely lined with comfortable seating, and there are a lot of storage cubbies. Rear passengers benefit from extra legroom compared to the old X4, there is 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the hatch, or 50.5 with the seats back folded flat. This is a usable space, but significantly lower than the 28.7 / 62.7 measures of the X3

Just like the X3, the X4 uses the latest BMW iDrive 6 infotainment system with a touchscreen 10.25 inches in the center console. This infotainment pack offers navigation, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, BMW's voice recognition and bizarre but clever gesture controls to adjust volume and accept or reject phone calls. Working with the various menus of the iDrive is intuitive and the system switches quickly from one screen to the other, while the navigation system displays pretty pictures and directs me to all the waypoints without any hiccups.

Other Wi-Fi hotspots support up to 10 devices, and a wireless charging block located in the center console – a good thing, since the X4 only comes with two USB ports. A year of Apple CarPlay capacity is offered as standard, but after that, you will have to pay $ 80 a year to use this feature, which is disappointing, but at least BMW no longer charges a $ 300 flat fee. Android Auto is still missing

In terms of safety, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring , 360 degree camera and head-up display are optional. An Active Lane Keeping Assist System is also available, which works well even in certain higher speed corners.

You can also opt for more performance; BMW will be happy to sell you the X4 in M40i. More punch is courtesy of a 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 engine, with 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque on the scooter's cock this X4 at 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. A better tuned adaptive suspension and larger M Sport brakes are standard, while a torsion-torque rear differential and 20- or 21-inch wheels can be used as an option.

A short three-lap run in the M40i around the BMW Performance Center test track opens the eyes. The back turns playfully while being stuck in the corners. Really tight turns still miss the front tires, but all things considered, the M40i is incredibly capable, despite its size and shape. Not everyone who buys an X4 for track use, you hear it.

The 2019 BMW X4 is now on the verge of selling its dealers, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe in perspective. XDrive30i base models will start at $ 51,445 and the hottest M40i will cost $ 61,445. Both prices include $ 995 for the destination.

Like all those SUV-cut things, the X4 is hard to rationalize in my brain. The disturbing appearance and the concessions of practicality compared to a traditional SUV – like the X3 – just do not make sense. That said, the X4 is just as comfortable and fun to drive as the more conventional X3, and its swoopier shape certainly helps it stand out. 200,000 people can not be wrong.