2015 BMW X4 xDrive28i Review (with video) - Recently, BMW has been charged with answering questions that no one asked. Looking at thin...
Recently, BMW has been charged with answering questions that no one asked. Looking at things in a different way, however, BMW has taken personalizing your daily driver to a level we have not seen before by an incredible number of variations based on the same basic vehicle. Once upon a time, BMW has made a roadster and three sedans. If you asked nicely, they cut the top of the 3 Series, add a hatchback, or stretch it into a car. If you look at the family tree today, you would see that the coupe and convertible series 2, X1, X3, X4, 3 Series sedan long wheelbase sedan and wagon, 3 Series GT and 4-Series coupe, convertible and coupé gran are all cousins. (Note: I'm not saying sisters, but they are all ultimately related account.) It is an explosion of product 400 percent since 1993 and we speak only of the compact end of their range. You can look at it two ways. This is madness, or this is a diabolical plan. Since sales increased over 300% since 1993, I'm going with diabolical plan.
Exterior
the "same sausage in several lengths" concept was a basic design philosophy of the luxury industry for decades, but "something for everyone" mantra BMW takes the next level. You see, the X4 and 3-Series Gran Tourismo are two quite different sausages (although related) manage to look the same yet share very little. Even stranger, the same shape creates two different responses people. Some see the GT and think "that liftback seems practical and roomier than the trunk," and then they look at the X4 and say "that's less convenient than X3, why would I?"
For create the X4, the rear of the X3 has been raked and the bumpers were twisted but it still retains the same hood, headlights and ride height. you might think it would be a crossover, but BMW prefers " Sports Activity Coupe. " Whatever. The GT is a 3 Series that has been stretched and graft on liftback. The GT is lower to the ground and actually longer than the X4, but the differences do not stop there. The GT is built in Germany, the X4 is made in South Carolina. Like many Americans, the X4 is 2 inches wider, has a look at the front more aggressive and weighs 0 pounds more. (Before you ask, I was born in Ohio and that describes me well.)
The problem with doing so many models is that it makes comparisons difficult. (Or is that part of BMW diabolical plan?) Aside from the GT, the X4 is devoid of any natural competition, especially in our xDrive28i trim. The V60 Cross Country, Macan, allroad and Evoque all come to mind, but only the Macan uses a similar silhouette. Volvo and Audi are lifted breaks, the Evoque is much smaller and front traction.
Interior
X4 shares most of its interior with X3. Probably because the X3 and X4 are a little newer than the current 3-series, I found the interior to be more balanced in terms of quality plastics. Instead of the iDrive screen perched on the dashboard like the 3-Series, it is nestled in it. Perhaps because the X4 is made in America, the cupholders are larger, more functional and lacking in brilliant 3-Series owners lid always lose track.
Because the X3 the roofline has been significantly modified to create the X4, BMW chose to file security funds to preserve the free space. The difference is not too sensitive to the front, but the rear seat cushions down the X4 mount much closer to the ground than in the whole competition. Despite lowering the seat height, height is still very limited in the back and best reserved for children or shorter adults. This is a stark contrast to the 3-GT has an inch more headroom in the rear seat cushions that are higher on the floor, back seat as the inclination and a huge 7-inch for the combined legs.
At 17.7 cubic feet, the X4 loading area is approximately 33% smaller than the X3 [ Porsche Macan lost nearly 40 percent of its cargo volume compared its platform mate, the Audi Q5. Ed.] . On the other hand, it is a bit larger than a 328i sedan and the loading hatch is a more practical form. Once again, however, 3-GT lot more practice with greater cargo and even liftback convenient to access. Interestingly, the CC V60 and the Porsche Macan have almost identical cargo areas in size.
Infotainment
iDrive has long been one of my favorite infotainment systems and continues with the latest version. Our tester included the full host of infotainment options including the integration of the smartphone application ($ 500), navigation ($ 2150) and iPhone adapter snap-in ($ 250). If this sounds expensive, you are right. However, it is cheaper than the list of options on the Macan. As Audi and Mercedes, BMW inserted a cellular modem in the upper end iDrive systems offering access to online services.
iDrive interface has received continual tweaks over the years to improve usability, and I found the interface easy to navigate and intuitive. A little less intuitive is the writing finger input method that allows you to "write" on top of the control button for entering addresses. Although this sounds like a good idea, I discovered it has 25% more time to enter a destination vs. turning the dial. All the latest infotainment connected can be had in the X4 (for a price), including integrated Pandora, Stitcher, Audible, pass-thru voice commands to iOS and Android, and Wikipedia integration that will read articles to you via Wiki a built-in text-to-speech engine.
Training
X4 xDrive28i models get a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder (N20) good for 240 horsepower and 260 lb- ft of torque at only 1450 RPM while the xDrive35i models get the 300 horsepower, 300 lb-ft 3.0L turbo (N55). Both engines are mated to August 1 ZF automatic AWD and standard speeds. Sound familiar? This is the same range in the 3-GT. Curiously, you can get the X3 to RWD, but the X4 with its (theoretically) the sporty image is only AWD.
If you're shopping for the X4 outside the US, you get more choice with an available 181 horsepower 2.0L turbo gasoline, a selection of diesel engines ranging from 187 to 309 ponies and a transmission manual on some engines.
player
I'm not a junkie track as Jack Baruth, but I do appreciate a well-balanced vehicle. That said, I am often distracted by straight-line performance, "powah of moar." X4 buyers will choose between the two. The 2.0L can be down on power vs. 3.0L, but it is also 33% shorter and lighter 165 lbs. In addition, the 2.0L sits behind to the front axle instead of above. The effect of weight reduction and lightening nose is obvious when you start pushing the X4 on your favorite mountain road. The lightest 2.0L model does not feel as eager, but he feels calmer and more willing to change direction. The 3.0L is more low-end grunt and a more refined sound, but because of the weight, and AWD chassis adjustment added, it tends to understeer more easily.
The key to understanding the X4 on the road is simple: it only weighs 20 pounds less than the X3 and despite sheet metal changes the center of gravity is not all that much lower . Consequently, it leads almost exactly like an X3. Since the X3 is one of the fastest growing options in its class, not dig. 0-60 arrived in a fast 6.14 seconds in our tester (the 3.0L is a full second faster) and the side grip is impressive for a crossover. In contrast, the 3 Series Sedan and GT will do a bit faster with better grip and better feeling. BMW will exchange the 245 width tires our tester had a 245/275 staggered tire package. I suspect that the X4 can give more of a performance advantage over the less sporty trim X3 or 3-GT, but fuel economy and your wallet will suffer. Thank you to the wide tires, the X4 took only 119 feet to stop from 60 mph.
The AWD system standard blunts some feel you could otherwise get from the electric power steering system, but in return it allows without drama launches on most of road surfaces and lots of fun on smooth roads. Speaking of soft roads, X4 reminded me a lot of Volvo V60 Cross Country: the two priority vehicles style over practicality and both are soft-road vehicles designed for the people who live on a road gravel short- and commute the winding mountain roads. The suspension of all forms of X4 is stiffer than expected and the M-Sport's stiffer than I could live with in the long term on crappy roads in northern California. If you are thinking of M-Sport, ensure the option of adaptive suspension system. The $ 1,000 option does not tarnish responses X4, but when in milder forms, it may just save your kidneys.
Competition for the X4 is difficult to define as I said. On the surface of things, the premium style on the X3 will cost $ 6,0, but the X4 has about $ 4,0 more standard equipment, such as AWD and HID lamps, which reduces the real difference to about $ 00. This may not seem too much of a premium for added style you get in the X4, but the 328i Gran Turismo, despite the AWD and standard panoramic sunroof, is about $ 2,500 less than the X4.
now we have to cover the Porsche Macan. In the same manner as the X4 X3 is less convenient, the Macan is less convenient Audi Q5. If you look at the Macan closely, you will see almost the same profile as the X4. They are dimensionally very similar inside and outside. However, the conversion of the Macan Q5 plebeian was much more involved. Porsche also began their range with a 340 horsepower twin-turbo V6, 7-speed DCT, and has made major changes to the structure of the platform Q5. In addition, they incorporate wider tires all around. Obviously our 2.0L X4 does not compete with the Porsche, but the X4 with the turbo six is an interesting alternative. The X4 xDrive35i manages to be a bit faster at 60 in my limited testing (1 / 10th) probably due to automatic ZF 8-speed. The transmission of the BMW is smoother, I think the outside is more elegant and depending on how you configure your Porsche, the difference in cost can exceed $ 10,000 for the X4. The Macan runs better and had an interior more enjoyable and customizable, but the options are so expensive that it is easier to get a Macan S over $ 75,000 without really trying.
Although I like the inside of the X4 more than 3 GT, the GT makes more sense to me. You get more space inside, it is more agile on the road and fuel economy in the real world is a bit better. The X3 is more convenient and gives up little in terms performance and handling and sport wagon 3 Series is probably the best loading practice mixing and handling performance. This brings me to the evil plan of BMW: comparisons. No matter how I tried to define or classify the X4, competitive game was littered with BMW. Aside from the xDrive35i is the alternative value Macan S, all that can be said of the X4 in the end is that X3 is a less practical and more GT with an array of more pleasant edge.
Sound Off in the comment section below what would you cross the shop with the X4
BMW has provided the vehicle, insurance and a review of gas
[Specifications as tested
0-30: 2.4 seconds
0-60: 6.14 seconds
1/4 Mile: 14.83 seconds @ 92.8 MPG
average savings: 23.8 MPG
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