BMW X4 review - Interior, design and technology

The BMW X4 sets out to mix the design elements of an SUV with those of a coupe, and more than most cars only a potential owner can decide if it has been a success. The lower half of the body carries the bulk and toughness expected from an SUV, with the curved roofline of a coupe sitting on top of it.

Anyone looking for something more conventional should find the X3 to their liking, but at the very least the X4 offers distinction in a crowded vehicle segment. Underneath the X4 lies the same platform as used in the X3, with the only significant changes being a wider rear track to increase cornering ability.

A facelift in 2021 saw some cosmetic changes, with a new front end design incorporating slimmer LED headlights, a slightly larger kidney grille and a redesigned lower apron, while the rear features a new lower apron treatment and redesigned LED taillights with new light signatures

Inside the X4 is an unquestionable success, combining attractive design with quality materials to great effect. The interior is another element that is largely carried over from the X3, but in this instance that is good news; the layout is attractive but understated, easy to understand and adds to the sporty feel of the car. Where fitted, the leather is of a high quality, and the vast majority of the plastics in the cabin are soft and pleasing to touch.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Every X4 comes with a 12.3-inch central display running BMW’s iDrive 7 operating system. Whether you tap the screen or use the familiar iDrive rotary dial to control the system, it responds quickly and accurately, and the display offers clear and attractive graphics.  BMW Professional Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard, while Gesture Control is available as an optional extra. The system allows you to use hand movements to make basic inputs, although this system is still relatively new and limited in its scope.