The 2018 BMW X3 ventures into M territory, but doesn’t lose sight of its SUV duties.
Pros Nimble, sedan-like handling Excellent interior space and storage Great turbo-6 powertrain Standard all-wheel drive M40i a blast to drive
Cons Base 6.5-inch infotainment display Forward-collision warnings an option World’s most expensive Apple CarPlay Off-road? More all-weather
Though it has sporty handling, powerful engines, and roomy seats, the fully redesigned 2018 BMW X3 is only a midpack luxury compact SUV. Its drawbacks include a higher-than-average starting price and fewer standard features than the competition.
Pros Agile handling Strong engine lineup Spacious cargo area and cabin Premium interior
Cons Above-average starting price Minimal standard luxury features
The 2017 BMW X4 is an alternative approach to tall-riding SUVs, if you can even call it that.The 2017 BMW X4 is a nice thing. Describing it any further requires a little understanding and a break with conventional rules.It's not a coupe, and it's not much of an SUV. It's not a tall wagon, and the X4 certainly isn't much of a sedan. Instead, it doubles down on the recipe that BMW tested with the bigger X6 and takes an existing SUV and tapers its roofline for a more interesting look and less interior space. In this case, the donor is the more upright X3, and the X4 is fashioned to be a direct rival to the Range Rover Evoque, Porsche Macan, and even the Lincoln MKC.
Pros A seductive roofline M40i is a true performance vehicle Sticky handling Base engine is plenty quick
Cons Cargo and rear passenger space is compromised Thick rear haunches Not quite a Macan Turbo competitor
The 2017 BMW X4 ranks 13 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. The 2017 BMW X4's strong engine options and sporty driving dynamics make it a great performer among luxury compact SUVs, but competitors offer more interior and cargo space, as well as higher predicted reliability scores.
Pros Potent engines User-friendly infotainment system Accurate steering
Cons Cramped back seats Class-trailing cargo capacity
You might already know that sitting up high and having a commanding view of the road can be a great thing. So if you're looking for a luxury SUV that gives you that sense of security along with a sleek design and strong performance, the uniquely styled 2016 BMW X4 is an interesting alternative. Mid way through last year the xDrive35i model was replaced by the more performance-oriented M40i model. For all 2017 models, wireless phone charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot are added to the options list, while the upgraded iDrive interface included with navigation has been updated. Finally, the steering wheel included in the optional M Sport package has a new design
Pros Strong performance and good fuel economy from its two available engines High-quality cabin looks and feels expensive Comfortable ride quality despite its sporty nature Responsive handling bettered only by pricier sport-tuned rivals High-performance M40i trim level is a rarity for the segment.
Cons Low rear seat reduces comfort relative to the X3 and most competitors Small cargo area for a vehicle in this class Rearward visibility is compromised by sloping roofline Costs more than a similarly equipped X3 which offers more room inside Some controls can be difficult to learn Adaptive cruise control doesn't perform as well as those of rivals.
