The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Turbo power
- Great handling
- M versions really thrill
- Good tech story
Dislikes
- Less practical than X3
- Some odd styling angles
- Tight rear seat
- X4 M gets expensive
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2023 BMW X4 pairs sports sedan-grade handling with a high seating position and the confidence of all-wheel drive.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 BMW X4? What does it compare to?
The 2023 BMW X4 is a style-forward small SUV with seating for five. Shop it against the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and the Audi Q5 Sportback.
Is the 2023 BMW X4 a good SUV?
Between its polarizing looks and its ferocious turbocharged engines matched with terrific handling, the BMW X4 is a compelling choice for those who place more emphasis on style than practicality. It’s a 6.4 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2023 BMW X4?
The sleeker sibling to the BMW X3 sees few notable tweaks this year after a mild update for 2022.
Nearly identical to the X3 up front (and underneath, for that matter), the X4 features a roofline that dives downward after the front seats. That cuts into head room, but it gives the X4 a more rakish, daring look somewhere between sleek, hatchback-like Audi Q5 Sportback and the similar Q5 high-riding SUV. It works quite well overall, especially when tarted up with gear from BMW’s Motorsports division.
Inside, it’s rather more conventional, though bright upholstery hues dress it up.
The X4 comes standard with all-wheel drive. Base xDrive30i versions use a very good 248-hp turbo-4, but the 382-hp turbo-6 in the M40i is the more compelling option here.
These versions ride firmly but comfortably and boast terrific steering with excellent accuracy and sports car-grade heft.
The range-topping X4 M Competition cranks out a wild 503 hp, which is matched to an ultra-stiff suspension. It’s a track-ready crossover SUV, if that’s a thing your life needs.
Other versions make more sense, especially with fuel economy as decent as 24 mpg combined per EPA estimates.
The X4 splits the difference between a 3-Series sedan and the more conventional X3 in terms of interior comfort and space. It’s good for front-seat riders, a bit tight for taller second-row occupants, and decent for luggage. Don’t plan on carrying tall items around, though. They won’t fit.
The X4 comes with automatic emergency braking and offers the expected array of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech. This particular model has not been tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS, though the similar X3 has great ratings.
How much does the 2023 BMW X4 cost?
A base X4 costs $53,400, a hefty upcharge over the X3 though it does come with all-wheel drive. The M40i is about $11,000 more, while the X4 M can push $90,000 with options.
Where is the 2023 BMW X4 made?
In South Carolina.
2023 BMW X4 Styling
The BMW X4 is definitely not for everyone.
Is the BMW X4 a good-looking car?
You’ll love it or you’ll hate it. We appreciate the 2023 BMW X4’s tapered roofline and its brash angularity, which doesn’t quite jibe with its otherwise comfortable interior—unless you grab one of the bright upholstery hues BMW offers.
Overall, it’s a 7 on the TCC scale, with points above average for exterior and interior style.
The X4 looks just like the X3 from the front, with the same updates last year that gave it a more muscular front end and fresh 19-inch-or-larger wheel options.
The roofline arches upward from the windshield before diving toward an integrated rear spoiler. It’s fun, playful, and interesting, especially since BMW gave the roof itself more angles than the flat surface you’d see otherwise.
It’s more ordinary inside, especially in black, tan, or gray. There are some intriguing angles that BMW uses to group controls together, but this interior cries out for the available brown, cognac, or dark red upholstery to match its exterior.
2023 BMW X4 Performance
The BMW X4 stands ready for a winding road or a closed course. Your choice.
BMW gives each version of the X4 a distinct personality. None is a slouch, though M versions really turn things up to, well, something higher than the 7 we assign to the lineup as a whole. That figure is based on extra points for drivetrain and handling.
Is the BMW X4 4WD?
Yes, all-wheel drive is standard here.
How fast is the BMW X4?
Entry-level models use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that pushes 248 hp to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW quotes a 0-60 mph sprint of about 6.0 seconds, which is plenty quick, especially since the well-sorted gearbox fires off rapid upshifts and downshifts.
Worth the extra spend is the 382-hp 3.0-liter turbo-6 in M40i versions. Sure, it’s $11,000 or so more, but you get a few more features, too. (At least that’s how we’d justify it.) This ultra-smooth engine drops the 60 mph sprint to just 4.4 seconds, and it feels every bit more muscular in any driving situation. A refined snarl gives up sports car vibes, too.
These two versions of the X4 match their impressive powertrains to a willing, compliant suspension that strikes a perfect balance between usability and fun. The base 19-inch wheels ride firmly enough that we’d probably resist the urge to upsize. Accurate steering with more heft than you might expect notch up the sporty factor, too.
The X4 M can hustle as much as 503 hp—yeah, really—to the wheels, though its suspension is too stiff for most commutes. Uprated brakes and a sport differential help make the most of that power, but even the available adaptive dampers aren’t enough to tame this brittle, harsh ride. If you’re after a track-oriented car, may we suggest the lower-to-the-ground M3?
2023 BMW X4 Comfort & Quality
The 2023 BMW X4 is comfy inside, though you’ll want the X3 if you need SUV-grade space.
You’ll want to call “shotgun” if you’re not the lucky one driving your 2023 BMW X4. This crossover SUV has a nicely appointed cabin with terrific front seats and decent cargo room, but rear-seat riders will find limited head room. It’s a 7 on our scale.
Power-adjustable front seats are standard, with more adjustment and bolstering added as you work your way up the lineup.
Rear-seat riders have reasonable leg space, but that’s where the fun stops. The roofline that gives this crossover SUV its distinctive look results in limited head room and a tight opening. The X3 is a far better choice for families or drivers who regularly carry around more than one other adult.
The 18.5 cubic-foot trunk bests sedans, but trails the X3. The rear seats fold down to open up 50.5 cubic feet of room, though tall items will be a tight squeeze.
Interior materials are decent for the price, though leather is optional.
2023 BMW X4 Safety
The 2023 BMW X4 has escaped crash testing so far.
How safe is the BMW X4?
It’s probably a good choice, if the related X3 is anything to go by. The 2023 BMW X4 has yet to be crashed by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, so we can’t rate it.
However, the closely related X3 has earned top marks.
Like the X3, the X4 comes with automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control that allows for limited hands-off driving at highway speeds is optional, though costly. BMW is restricting the tech to X40 M40i and X4 M versions this year.
2023 BMW X4 Features
The 2023 BMW X4 comes well equipped and offers a huge array of optional extras.
BMW can build just about any X4 configuration you’d like. A long list of standard and optional equipment combines with a big touchscreen and a solid warranty to earn this crossover SUV a 9 on the TCC scale.
The lineup starts at $53,400 this year. That buys all-wheel drive, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, adaptive LED headlights, synthetic leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats.
A 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is standard, and BMW will pick up maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Which BMW X4 should I buy?
The base 4-cylinder is a good enough value for what it is that you could stop there. However, the M40i includes a lot of stuff for the extra $11,000 BMW charges, including snappier styling (almost $3,000 alone for the base car), twin 12.3-inch displays, adaptive dampers, and a few other niceties. The M40i is also the gateway to adaptive cruise control.
How much is a fully loaded BMW X4?
The X4 M starts at $76,400, though you might as well spend the extra $7,000 for the Competition Package that ups power to 503 hp and includes various styling bits. Keep going with head-up display, adaptive cruise control, special paint, cooled seats, a wireless charging pad, and a few more bits, and BMW will want upward of $92,000.
2023 BMW X4 Fuel Economy
The 2023 BMW X4 offers fuel economy commensurate with its power.
Is the BMW X4 good on gas?
Base versions with the 4-cylinder are the easiest to justify thanks to their 21 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 combined rating. They score a 2 on the TCC scale.
Upgrade to the M40i and the fuel economy suffers slightly. The EPA rates that model at 21/26/23 mpg, which isn’t a bad tradeoff for all that extra power.
X4 M models guzzle premium unleaded, though. The EPA says to expect just 15/20/17 mpg.
