- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.0T, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
375kW, 650Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 10.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2022 BMW X4 M Competition review
Rapid, SUV-coupes were a figment of automotive imagination not that far back in the motoring landscape. Now, however, they are so much a part of the broad palette that the first round of updates is upon us. That's the case with the BMW X4 M Competition, an SUV that is as capable as it is stylish. Greg Kable attends the international launch for Drive.
- Engine's power delivery is exceptional
- Muscular styling matches the brief
- Meaty, responsive steering
- Ride is firm on poor surfaces
- Firm ride means handling balance can be upset
- Interior space suffers, but there's an X3 for that
It is only two years since BMW’s M performance car division launched the X4 M Competition as a rival to the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Porsche Macan GTS and Mercedes-AMG GLC63 Coupe. But as a sign of just how competitive the performance SUV market has become, it is already ringing the changes on the rapid high-riding coupe model and its more practical sibling, the mechanically identical X3 M Competition.
The performance focus remains a central key to its showroom appeal, as evidenced by the new 2022 X4 M Competition’s 0-100km/h time. It is claimed to be 0.3sec quicker than that of its predecessor at just 3.8sec, equalling the time of the larger X6 M Competition, the fastest accelerating BMW M SUV model to date.
However, greater effort has been made to differentiate the facelifted X4 M Competition from the standard X4 in terms of exterior styling. There’s also a host of new digital functions within a reworked interior, which aims to place the 2022 model on a level footing with the latest M3 and M4 on the technical front.
Included in the exterior makeover is a distinctive new-look front end. It gets a completely restyled front bumper featuring vertically stacked air ducts at either side, as well as a larger central cooling duct, a slightly larger single-frame kidney grille, and revised adaptive headlamps with flatter assemblies and M-specific LED graphics up front.
Key details | 2022 BMW X4 M Competition |
Price (MSRP) | $167,900 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Sao Paulo yellow |
Price as tested | $167,900 |
Rivals | Mercedes-AMG GLC63 Coupe | Porsche Macan Turbo | Alfa Romeo Stelvio |
BMW M claims the new front bumper brings a reduction in high-speed lift, together with improvements in both engine and front brake cooling efficiency.
The changes at the rear aren’t quite as striking. There are more heavily structured LED tail-lamp lenses with altered graphics, a new high-gloss black spoiler lip, and a restyled bumper featuring a new-look lower section housing a redesigned diffuser flanked by a pair of round tailpipes both left and right.
The reworked BMW M model also receives a fresh range of alloy wheels, including new 21-inch M Competition items that are claimed to bring a 2kg reduction in weight at each corner. Buyers can also specify new colour schemes.
Under the bonnet is a reworked version of BMW M’s S58 engine. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder has adopted a new forged crankshaft and revised software among other detailed changes. Power remains the same as before at 375kW, though torque has been increased by 50Nm to 650Nm on a band of revs between 2750 and 5500rpm.
2022 BMW X4 M Competition | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 525L seats up / 1430L seats folded |
Length | 4758mm |
Width | 1927mm |
Height | 1620mm |
Wheelbase | 2864mm |
Drive is channelled through a recalibrated eight-speed torque-converter-equipped automatic gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and BMW M’s fully variable xDrive four-wheel-drive system, which is shared with the M3, M4 and M5.
There is a bewildering number of drive modes via the standard DriveLogic function. They allow the driver to alter the characteristics of the engine, gearbox, four-wheel-drive system, suspension, steering and DSC (dynamic stability control).
The double-wishbone and multi-link suspension that underpins the X4 M Competition has been retuned as part of efforts to answer criticism to its harsh ride. Changes to the so-called Adaptive M set-up include revised adaptive dampers that are aimed at providing greater levels of compliance in both Comfort and Sport modes.
Our test car rode on 245/45 R20 front and 275/40 R20 Pirelli P Zero tyres; one of a number of choices offered to customers.
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Step up into the facelifted X4 M Competition and you discover a number of detailed changes. Most noticeable of all is the new 12.3-inch BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital display. It replaces the analogue-imitating instruments of the previous model, bringing with it the M View digital graphics.
The centrally mounted 12.3-inch Infotainment touchscreen digital display also receives BMW’s latest iDrive operating system with new menus, cloud-based navigation and over-the-air update functionality. There's also a new head-up display unit with M-specific graphics.
The multi-function M Sport steering wheel (with red M1 and M2 buttons) and body hugging M Sport seats (with illuminated M logos) are brought over from the old model, but there is a new centre console similar to that seen in the latest M3 and M4. It houses a shorter gear selector, a new rotary iDrive controller, new controls to provide direct access to the DriveLogic functions, and a red start button.
The central vents and air-conditioning controls have also been revised in look and operation, while a Harman Kardon sound system now comes as standard.
Further changes have been made to smartphone integration: in addition to Apple CarPlay, the X4 M Competition now supports Android Auto. Additionally, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant function can now be used to regulate the air-conditioning, open and close the windows, and alter the driving modes via a spoken “Hey BMW” prompt.
BMW M also offers a greater range of driver assistance functions: Driving Assistant Professional and Drive Recorder are available as an option for the first time.
It is a very agreeable and suitably upmarket driving environment, with a clearly higher level of perceived quality than with the old X4 M Competition. Accommodation isn’t exactly generous, especially in the rear, which is compromised by the plunging roof line and space-robbing transmission tunnel running back through the cabin. But with a nominal 525L of luggage space, extendable to 1430L when the 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats are stowed, the new M-model does manage to offer reasonable versatility.
2022 BMW X4 M Competition | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2018) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
We tested the new X4 M Competition on roads around BMW M’s headquarters in Munich, Germany. Predictably, its revised engine, the same unit found in the M3 and M4 no less, continues to steal the show with marvellously muscular and linear properties. The sheer response and overall flexibility make for a high degree of drivability, even in Efficiency mode around town.
Switch into Sport Plus on more open roads and the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder delivers huge mid-range shove as it spins with great zeal up to the 7200rpm redline on a loaded throttle. It is terrifically determined, and with a fully variable exhaust flap it sounds the business when worked hard.
The resulting performance really is quite something, providing the 2010kg X4 M Competition with that 0–100km/h time of just 3.8sec. By comparison, the recently facelifted Macan GTS, which now runs a 324kW version of Porsche’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine, boasts an official 0–100km/h time of 4.3sec. Top speed is nominally limited to 250km/h, though buyers who opt for the optional BMW M Driver’s Package can choose to have it raised to 285km/h.
The eight-speed gearbox, meanwhile, accommodates the X4 M Competition’s increased torque terrifically well with generally smooth and fast-acting qualities. It is all backed up by outstanding traction from the M xDrive four-wheel-drive system and its integral M Active Differential.
At a glance | 2022 BMW X4 M Competition |
Warranty | Three years / unlimited kilometres |
Service intervals | Condition based |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 10.7L/100km |
Fuel type | 98-octane petrol |
Fuel tank size | 65L |
Rapid? You bet. What will impress prospective buyers even more, though, is the overall precision and agility. The X4 M Competition delivers a great sense of control and confidence-inspiring dynamic qualities. There is a good deal more heft to the steering than you find in standard X4 models, along with far tauter body control, outstanding grip and, when the conditions allow, the sort of cornering adjustability offered by the very best M-cars.
The problem, at least in everyday driving, is its firm ride. BMW M’s efforts at introducing greater compliancy into the suspension have improved impact harshness to some extent, and there is also less annoying tyre roar than we remember on coarser road surfaces.
Still, it remains unforgiving, with a fidgety feel and quite a lot of high-frequency vertical movement at lower speeds around town. It improves a bit once you’ve progressed to typical highway speeds, but the inherent firmness and general lack of ride refinement remain, making it quite wearing over longer distances.
The facelifted X4 M Competition is a serious driver’s car. It drives much like you'd expect a high-riding M4 would, with great response, wonderfully accessible performance, along with engaging precision and confidence-building control. It reflects a high degree of technical prowess, delivering a devastating turn of speed and proving hugely compelling on suitable roads in dry conditions.
But while it now reflects a more luxurious feel and offers greater levels of standard equipment than before, it continues to lack ride refinement and ultimately fails to offer the sort of interior space delivered by some performance SUV rivals. Which is why BMW M also offers the roomier X3 M Competition, of course.
Key details | 2022 BMW X4 M Competition |
Engine | 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol |
Power | 375kW @ 6250rpm |
Torque | 650Nm @ 2750-5550rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Eight-speed torque convertor automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 186.6kW/t |
Weight | 2010kg |
Turning circle | 12.6m |