2021 BMW X4 Review

+198

Thanks to its sleek fastback-style roof, the X4 will appeal to shoppers who think the related X3 is too dull and predictable. You lose some utility in the process, and you have to pay more compared to the X3, but overall the X4 succeeds in its mission to be a stylish and sporty SUV.

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BMW X4 model years

BMW X4 for Sale

BMW X4 types

SUV
M40i

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2021 BMW X4 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

Both available engines are smooth, powerful and fuel-efficient
Easy personalization thanks to abundant standard and optional features
Impressive handling for an SUV

Cons

Sloping roofline compromises rear headroom and cargo space

What's new

No significant changes for 2021
Part of the second X4 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Nearly 15 years ago, BMW introduced the X6. Basically an X5 SUV with a sharper roofline and redacted utility, the X6 proved so popular that it essentially created an entire segment of so-called SUV coupes. Not one to miss an opportunity for further niche development, BMW followed it up with the X3-derived X4.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$188/mo

$175/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

From behind the wheel, the 2021 X4 doesn't feel all that different from the X3. Other than a slimmed-down list of powertrains (no plug-in hybrid for the X4), the features, options and general driving dynamics are the same. You do sacrifice cargo space and rear headroom, but it's hard to put a price on style. Is the X4 right for you, or would you be better off with a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe or Porsche Macan? Read our Expert Rating below to help you decide.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.5

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the X4 drive? We tested the xDrive30i. It doesn't sprint off the line with a whole lot of verve, but once you're rolling there's plenty of zip. Our four-cylinder test car didn't break any records on its way to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, but we like the eight-speed transmission's responsiveness.

The X4's brakes react quickly and are smooth and easy to use in regular driving, but handling is its biggest strength. With its standard M Sport suspension (the regular suspension is a no-cost option), our X4 test car felt solid and composed through quick corners and curves. The steering loads up well in Sport mode during curves. It's well weighted but still sharp and accurate, inspiring confidence when breezing through twistier sections of road.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the X4? The X4's seats are firm, supportive and great for long stints behind the wheel. Multiple adjustments for the front seats include thigh extenders and inflatable side bolsters, ensuring a good fit for most body types.

While the X4's ride is taut, it shrugs off rough roads reasonably well. It's also pretty quiet. There's a touch of wind noise, but the smooth ride, zesty engine and hushed interior make it easy to drive the X4 deceptively fast. It's easy to exceed the speed limit without realizing it.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? It's a bit treacherous for rear passengers to get in and out — the swooping roofline is all too eager to knock your noggin on the way in if you're not paying attention — but there's a sufficient amount of room in back once you're seated. The rear seat cushions are low and flat, which helps reclaim some headroom lost to the roofline. There's a bit less legroom than in the average SUV in this segment, though it's not too noticeable.

Visibility is pretty compromised all around and especially out the narrow back window, which is more decorative than it is useful. A nice hi-res backup camera helps here for low-speed maneuvering and parking, but you'll definitely want to make the most of the X4's blind-spot monitoring system on the highway or around town.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The combination of touchscreen and dial controls makes exploring infotainment menus a breeze. The nav system is easy to use and the graphics are tack-sharp, although voice commands offer limited usefulness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Some overall cargo space is lost because of the sloping roofline (compared to the X3), but there's still a decent amount of room as well as additional flexibility with the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats. Our test car also came equipped with sliding cargo rails and tie-downs. Multiple levers release the rear seats to fold down automatically.

Plenty of interior storage helps with keeping phones and personal items close at hand. Child seats, even large ones, will fit pretty easily, although securing the top tethers requires removing the cargo cover first.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the xDrive30i gets 25 mpg combined, which is a bit better than other four-cylinder luxury SUVs. On our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, our test vehicle returned 23 mpg.

Value

8/10

Is the X4 a good value? Other competitors offer more dazzling interior design, but the X4 still makes a statement of quality with tight construction and solid controls. It's an old-school approach that looks good. The X4 is priced competitively with its German peers, and its warranty and ownership experience hew closely to coverage offered by the others.

Wildcard

7.5/10

Although it looks faster and sportier than it is, the X4 offers enough BMW handling goodness and ride comfort to make spirited drives a good time. The X4's shape is recognizable and has enough style to turn heads in the valet line. It's a niche offering but it excels at what BMW intends it to be.

Which X4 does Edmunds recommend?

The base xDrive30i is reasonably powerful, but we suggest stepping up the M40i. BMW's turbocharged inline-sixes are potent and buttery smooth. It's a better fit considering the X4's sharper styling.

2021 BMW X4 models

The 2021 BMW X4 is available in two trim levels: xDrive30i and M40i. A high-performance variant — the X4 M — is reviewed separately. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard on both trims.

xDrive30i
Standard feature highlights include:

19-inch wheels
Sport suspension
LED headlights
Power-folding and heated side mirrors
Power liftgate
Panoramic sunroof
Power-adjustable front seats
Simulated leather upholstery
Digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Driver aids include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitoring (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)

Notable options on the xDrive30i include:

Leather upholstery
Driver Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X4 and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the X4 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Front cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross the X4's path while you're moving forward)

M Sport package

Different 19-inch wheels
Revised front and rear fascias
M steering wheel

Premium package

Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Gesture controls
Wireless charging pad
In-car Wi-Fi
Keyless entry

Executive package

Includes Premium package features
Parallel parking assist
Parking sensors
Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the X4 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Ambient interior lighting
Upgraded leather upholstery
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)

Dynamic Handling package

Adaptive suspension (can adjust to improve ride quality and handling stability)
More powerful brakes

M40i
The sportier M40i swaps in a turbocharged six-cylinder engine (382 hp and 368 lb-ft). It also comes with:

Dynamic Handling package
M Sport package
Keyless entry
Upgraded front seats
Wireless device charging
Parking sensors

The Premium and Executive packages are also optional for the M40i.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#16 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW X4 from 2008-2022.}

$752/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.79x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.4%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW X4.

5 (70%)

4 (18%)

3 (0%)

2 (5%)

1 (7%)

4.4

17 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 17 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun to Drive

NYRIZ, 04/17/2021

2021 BMW X4 M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

The ride is smooth. However in sport plus on regular streets will snap you back a bit. The exterior styling is great and you will get looks and comments. Not a true M Car but the M40i makes more sense for a daily driver. X4 M40i and X4M 0-60 times are too close to justify paying $10,000 more for the privilege of driving an M car

Great look and fun to drive.Impressive interior

sdskyguy, 04/18/2019

2019 BMW X4 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

We drove the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC 300, Lincoln Nautilus, and this beauty won out for it's striking looks especially with our M package. The 30i engine is smooth, powerful for a Turbo 4 and gets 29 on the Hwy, and 25 Combined mileage. The surround camera system and blind spot warnings we bought makes visibility fantastic. Yes the back seat roof line doesn't accommodate 6 ft. plus people …

The Swiss Army Knife of Cars!

TrackDad, 04/08/2020

2020 BMW X4 M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I was looking for a mid-sized vehicle that drives more like a car with 'some' of the practicality and utility of an SUV. This 'SAV' sports activity vehicle is phenomenal to drive (M40i engine) with excellent handling and close to sedan like feel. No, it doesn't drive like a pure sedan, but it's closer to a sedan than anything with 8" of ground clearance. And it handles 10 times better …

Time for something different.

Enthused, 10/13/2018

2019 BMW X4 M40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Time to upgrade my SUV and wanted a different look than all the other full-size SUV's out there. The X4 fills the bill perfectly. Fit and finish on the interior shows all the high quality materials and details that you should expect in a BMW and I really was pulled to the exterior styling. I thought I'd mind the contracted rear view available but with the rear camera, it's a non-issue. …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW X4, so we've included reviews for other years of the X4 since its last redesign.

See all 17 reviews of the BMW X4

Write a vehicle review

2021 X4 Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

xDrive30i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$51,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X4 models:

BMW Assist eCall: Automatically calls for help in the event of a collision and allows passengers to notify roadside assistance with a single button.
Blind-Spot Detection: Warns with visual alerts or vibration through the steering wheel if there is a vehicle in or approaching your blind spot.
Forward Collision Warning: Alerts you if the system detects a possible front collision and automatically applies the brakes if you don't react in time.

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2021 BMW X4 Review

2021 BMW X4 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which X4 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 BMW X4 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Fun to Drive

Great look and fun to drive.Impressive interior

The Swiss Army Knife of Cars!

Time for something different.

2021 X4 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X4 xDrive30i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 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 $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}