2023 BMW X4 M

We get it. Sometimes the boxed SUV look just doesn't connect. Despite the cabin and cargo space advantages, a boxy SUV doesn't usually satisfy the sports-car itch for many drivers. The BMW X3 is an all-around favorite for its sporty practicality, but drivers who need more visual excitement can look to the X4 or its high-performance alternative, the 2023 BMW X4 M. The latter is the one to get if you want the sauce to back up the style. The X4's design may be polarizing, but it's more palatable when served with up to 500-plus horsepower.

With its turbocharged 473-horsepower six-cylinder engine and sport-tuned adaptive suspension, the X4 M is mechanically identical to the X3 M. It drives and handles the same as well: quick, agile and responsive, especially for a compact SUV. Where they differ, of course, is aft of the rear doors. The X4 M's raked rear end makes for a sleeker profile but comes at the expense of cargo space and rear visibility. Drivers seeking maximum performance can opt for the Competition model, which generates 503 hp and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

After styling updates and a slight power increase last year, the X4 M carries into 2023 with no changes. That's a shame because BMW has started rolling out its newest infotainment system in some models. Along with software updates, the new system features a "floating" display that merges the digital instrument panel and the central touchscreen into a seamless curved screen up to about 27 inches wide. (The display is attached to struts affixed to the dash to achieve its floating look.) The X4, however, isn't among the models slated for the new system this year. That said, the current iDrive system, with its 10-inch touchscreen and secondary dial controls, remains an effective and capable technology interface.

Overall, the X4 M is a mixed bag. It's a fleet-footed small SUV with sports car style, which gives it some distinction on the road. But it rides rougher than the regular X4 and costs more than the X3 M or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43, which both offer more maximum cargo space and rear passenger room. But for drivers who prefer a bit more style over sensibility, the X4 M's limitations are a fair trade.