2021 BMW X4 M Review
2021 BMW X4 M Review
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2021 BMW X4 M Review
byReese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
- Tremendously powerful six-cylinder engine
- Grip and handling are excellent
- Sleeker styling than the related X3 M
Cons
- Excessively stiff ride
- Rear headroom is a bit tight
- Sloping roofline compromises cargo space and visibility
What's new
- Wi-Fi hotspot now standard
- No other significant changes for 2021
- Part of the second X4 generation introduced for 2019
Overview
Well, we'll say this about the 2021 BMW X4 M: At least it's not an anodyne cookie-cutter SUV meant to appeal to the widest possible range of car shoppers. No, the X4 M is about as niche as it gets.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$342/mo for X4 M Base
X4 M Base
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
With its original X6, BMW can take credit as one of the first automakers to offer a coupe-style SUV. The X4 follows the same formula. It's based on the X3 small SUV but has a sleeker fastback roofline in exchange for less cargo space and rear headroom. From there, the X4 M gets the full BMW performance treatment with a 473-horsepower engine, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and retuned suspension.
On the road, the X4 M offers an almost unbelievable level of performance and capability, tackling back roads or highway on-ramps with a prowess that would have seemed silly just a few years ago. The steering, handling and raw acceleration are far beyond what most people expect from an SUV. Unfortunately, those performance capabilities never really settle down, giving the X4 M a jarringly stiff ride even in its most comfortable setting.
Inside, the X4 M shares much with the more conventional BMW X3 and, by extension, the X3 M. The rear seats and cargo area are more cramped, but from the driver's seat you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the X3 and the X4. The interior design, features and tech are the same, as is performance.
From a logic standpoint, it makes more sense to buy an X3 M. You'll pay less and get more practicality as part of the deal. But in the end that's part of the X4 M's charm. It's clearly not for everyone.
Which X4 M does Edmunds recommend?
As great and powerful as the Competition model may be, we suggest sticking with the standard X4 M. The Competition's extra power and slightly retuned suspension don't offer significantly better performance.
2021 BMW X4 M models
The 2021 BMW X4 M comes in two basic variants: the standard X4 M and the X4 M Competition. Both are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. In the standard X4 M, it makes 473 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque and sends power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic.
X4 M
Comes well equipped with:
- Adaptive sport suspension
- 20-inch wheels
- Power liftgate
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Leather upholstery
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Navigation system
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
The X4 M also comes standard with a number of BMW's driver aids and safety features, including:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
X4 M Competition
The Competition package commands a significant premium over the standard model. In return it offers a 30-hp bump to 503 hp. Engine torque remains the same. BMW also upgrades the X4 M with:
- Thicker suspension stabilizer bars
- Sport exhaust system
- Gloss black exterior trim
- Upgraded sport front seats
The X4 M is also available with a few notable option packages.
- Driving Assistance Plus package
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X4 M and the car in front)
- A more advanced version of the forward collision mitigation system
- Executive package
- Automated parallel and perpendicular parking system
- Head-up display
- Wireless charging pad
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Gesture control for phone and audio
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW X4 M.
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6 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Unbelievable performance and style
Brent Gibson, 06/22/2021
2021 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Another Gen-Xer found his rhythm. I prefer to purchase vehicles that no one needs to ever buy. The X4M Comp falls in that category. We splurged for the Competition Package because well, it's even more aggressive and rare than the X4M "base."
In an event, this car will move you in terms of acceleration, handling, comfort, and sound. Even in Anodyne White, it's a head turner. What … surprised me was the level of practicality. I recently took the family on a short road trip and we comfortably fit three adults, one car seat, and a mid-sized child. We also were able to pack lightly but completely.
There are a lot of comments in the review-verse about a rough ride. I honestly don't find this to be the case. Granted I am comparing to an X2 M35i and a MINI, but still, when you soften the X4M up with all the comfort and quiet settings, it's nearly as comfy as our old X5. I prefer a stiffer car, but it's nearly sedan-like in full comfort settings. My day-to-day is Sport Plus in engine and steering, Sport in suspension, middle setting (Sport) for transmission and exhaust baffles open. I love the way that rides around town and on short trips. On longer cruises, I will go to comfort in all settings, quiet the exhaust, and put on the ACC. With these settings the car is soothing and you'll risk falling asleep.
Things to keep in mind: Winter tires (and perhaps rims) and a plan for storing and mounting them, non run-flat tires, getting used to the automatic parking and ACC functions, the 1000-way adjustable seats...too many choices, ground clearance if you are venturing off paved roads, insurance premium up-ticks, and locating a track for seriously pushing the car. You really can't enjoy it fully without a track of some kind.
5 out of 5 stars
Love it
El Bris, 10/31/2020
2021 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I feel like I’m on a space craft. This gen X er has found her car soul mate. I said goodbye to my 2012 and realized I had been lost in space with my beloved 528i. It’s back to college as I learn all the safety and fun upscale features. Amazing handling. Super fast and powerful engine. This is not a paid review.
5 out of 5 stars
Cheap yet powerful M car
Gluck Hunter, 07/29/2020
2020 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
I can't believe the performance and interior styling this vehicle has. The vehicle looks better in person but is overall one of the best looking SUVs in its class. The seats are the real winner in the interior. Definitely sets it apart from all else. As stated in critic reviews, the suspension is stiff and I have had rear passengers comment on the stiffness. The luggage space is a little … nerfed due to design but still adequate. The rear visibility is almost like a sports car. But all of these things should be expected on this type of vehicle. My only real gripe is why does a turbo 6 cylinder get such poor highway gas mileage? Most turbo cars get relatively good mpg. I would have expected around 22-24 hwy mileage but this thing goes through gas like a hellcat. Overall, my favorite BMW I've owned or driven.
5 out of 5 stars
Smooth Ride
Felecia Williams, 06/29/2020
2020 BMW X4 M 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Love my vehicle!! Second BMW and love the ride and all the features..
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW X4 M, so we've included reviews for other years of the X4 M since its last redesign.
2021 X4 M Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $73,400 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $342/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the X4 M models:
- Active Cruise Control With Stop & Go
- Maintains a set distance between the X4 M and the car in front while cruise control is activated.
- Active Blind-Spot Detection
- Notifies you when a vehicle is in the X4 M's blind spot.
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alerts you when the X4 M drifts over the lane markers without an activated turn signal.
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