2020 BMW X4 Review

There's no doubt that decades from now, when the majority of new cars are powered by electricity, we'll look back at today as the peak of the internal combustion engine. How else to describe a time when the new 2020 BMW X4 M could exist? The X4 is already kind of an odd duck — it's mechanically the same as the X3 compact crossover but with an aggressively chopped roof that reduces rear passenger headroom and cargo room. Add the X4 M's turbocharged six-cylinder, which can produce more than 500 horsepower, and you have a recipe for one of the most confounding SUVs yet. It almost makes you want to throw up your hands and embrace the madness.

Too Much Is Never Enough

The X4 currently comes with two turbocharged engines that are, respectively, perfectly adequate for most people (the standard turbocharged four-cylinder) and silly powerful (the optional turbo inline-six, with 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque). The X4 M dials up performance even further, increasing the six-cylinder's output to 473 hp and 442 lb-ft. If that still doesn't satisfy your seemingly unquenchable thirst for power, the available Competition package bumps it up again, to 503 hp. It also shortens the X4 M's 0-60 mph time from a lethargic 4.1 seconds to a blistering 4 seconds flat.

A number of under-the-skin improvements should make the X4 M handle better, too. The standard xDrive all-wheel-drive system keeps power at the rear wheels, routing it partially to the fronts only when the car needs extra grip. As with other high-performance BMWs, the rear Active M Differential transfers power to the wheel with the most traction for more sure-footed performance. There are also improvements to the suspension components — including unique anti-roll bars — while a strut brace under the hood helps keep the body rigid. (A lighter, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic brace will join the options list later this year.) Finally, adaptive dampers give the driver the option to switch between comfort- and sport-oriented setups, although we're not sure if the standard 20-inch wheels will ever provide a truly pleasant ride.

X4 M drivers won't always have the opportunity to smoke X4 owners at the local drag strip or racetrack, but there are functional appearance upgrades that set the X4 M apart from its lesser siblings. An active exhaust system with quad tailpipes lets the twin-turbo inline-six sing, a sound which is further enhanced by the Competition package's M Sport exhaust system. The front valance is slightly larger for better airflow, while the rear diffuser gives the back end a more aggressive look.

Sporty Seats and a Dash of Color

Plush thrones don't exactly fit into the dynamic theme of the X4 M, so sport seats with plenty of lateral support are standard (the excellent M Sport seats come on Competition models and are optional on the "normal" X4 M). You also get leather upholstery in a variety of blacks and grays, with some red trim throughout to break up the monotony. There are even red programmable buttons on the steering wheel that let drivers store their favorite settings for throttle response, steering response, shift speed, exhaust sound and damper firmness. And if there weren't already enough M badges sprinkled throughout the interior, there's red and blue stitching on the seat belts to reinforce the fact that you are driving a car sweetened by BMW's M division.

While the X4 M is all about putting the driver first, it comes with several advanced safety features that are optional on other X4 trims. These include forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking at low speeds. Other features that are standard on a Kia Optima — including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist — are optional here.

Pricing and Release Date

Production of the 2020 BMW X4 M begins in April, with deliveries likely to follow in early summer. Pricing has not yet been announced, but expect a hefty premium over the X4 M40i's starting price of $61,445.