A new BMW X4 is coming. The second-generation model gets bigger, lighter and roomier, with more tech and more active safety.
The X4 is the coupe version of the 2018 BMW X3 crossover SUV, all new last year. Although it's clearly still a four-door crossover and not a coupe. We'll call it the stylish version. The arching roof and sloped rear glass trade some cargo capacity and rear headroom from the upright X3 in favour of sleeker styling.
Solving some of the interior space issues, especially rear leg room, the X4 gets bigger. 81mm in length, with 53 mm of that between the wheels giving a wheelbase of 2,870 mm and an overall length of 4,750 mm. Headroom is given at 3 mm more than the old model, but BMW measures that at the front of the seat. At the backrest, where passenger's heads sit, the roofline is much flatter than last year which should give more room where it matters. Rear legroom is up 27 mm. Cargo capacity remains unchanged at 525L with a 40:20:40 split folding rear seat. Despite the extra size, weight is down up to 50 kg depending on trim.
The interior has a new 12-inch digital instrument cluster with a black panel design that means it's completely dark when the vehicles is turned off. A full-colour head-up display is optional with navigation display. The infotainment system uses BMW's latest iDrive system on a 10.25-inch display with touch and gesture control. The storage bin in the centre stack is larger, and BMW has added padded areas on the centre console to protect driver's knees.
Outside, the X4 has a new 3D-look kidney grille, and standard LED lights front and rear. The X4 also has wheel arches that are squared off at the rear edges, a look shared with the new X3.
The standard trim is xLine in BMW-speak, and features sports seats and dark oak wood trim with pearl-effect chrome. M models add M sports seats a leather sports steering wheel, and Aluminum Rhombicle trim. A panoramic glass sunroof is standard and is bigger than the old model.
Standard safety features for the X4 will include front collision warning, city collision mitigation, pedestrian warning with braking, and speed limit information. It also has BMW's Active Protection pre-crash system that closes the windows and sunroof just before a crash, and tensions the seatbelts.
The X4 will come with two engine choices in Canada, both with standard all-wheel drive. The first is the xDrive30i, a 2.0L turbocharged four that makes 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The second is the M40i. The performance model comes with the M2's 3.0L twin-turbo inline six that makes 355 hp and 365 lb-ft. Both use an eight-speed automatic.
The M40i adds M Sport brakes and light wheels. It has variable steering and M Sport suspension with stiffer springs and dampers. An M Adaptive suspension is available to further improve handling. The M40i also gets launch control and an M Sport locking rear differential.
The all-new 2019 BMW X4 arrives at dealers in July.
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