BMW X4 First Drive and Review by Bimmerpost

Bimmerpost went to Bilbao, Spain, to test drive the 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i. Here is an excerpt of their review:

On curvy roads, body roll is kept to a minimum, and the variable-effort electromechanical power steering operated with exemplary precision – although the effort in the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” setting seems artificially high. Except for the higher seating position, the X4 has far more in common with, say, a 3-series, than with a classic SUV. Similar things, of course, can be said about the Audi Q5 or the VW Tiguan – but we feel the X4 takes dynamics to yet another level.
What the X4 is lacking, however, is anything approaching the sheer force of Audi’s supercharged V-6 in the SQ5. The current top-of-the-line engine is the N55 3.0-liter i-6 engine, rated at 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. It is joined by the N20 2.0-liter, 240-horsepower, turbocharged four, which produces up to 260 lb-ft of torque. The only available transmission is the ZF 8HP eight-speed, torque-converter style automatic. The X4 xDrive 35i reaches 60 mph in 5.2 seconds; the entry-level X4 xDrive 28i takes 6 seconds. We’d always prefer the 35i, just because any BMW improves so much with the sound and feel of a true straight-six engine.

There are three distinct trim levels for the X4: The very businesslike base trim; the xLine, which combines a rugged exterior with luxurious interior fittings; and M Sport, which adds a heavy dose of visual Garching flavor to this SUV.