2020 BMW X4 M SUV

The beefed-up SUV is available in two exhilarating trims which pushes the limits of 2020 BMW X4 M. Both are powered by the same twin-turbocharged inline-six engine which are in different states of tune. 

The M Competition produces 30 more horses, thanks to the tuned ECU and M exhaust system. The engine is coupled to a very precise and quick 8-Speed Automatic transmission which helps you propel this monster of an SUV, or as BMW calls it, this Sports Activity Coupe(SAC) in a blistering 4 seconds.

M Competition differs from M in a few aesthetic features and the brawny quad exhaust system which instantly helps you differentiate them by the exhaust note itself. The interior also gets exclusive Merino leather to stand out.

Trims	M	M Competition
MSRP	$73,400	$80,400
Features	M Sport Differential	All the features in M trim added or replaced and:
	473 horses	503 horses
	Auto Start-Stop function	M Sport Exhaust System
	20-inch alloy wheels	21-inch alloy wheels
	M Servotronic electric power steering	Extended Merino leather upholstery
	Aerodynamic Kit	Extended Shadowline exterior trim
	16-Speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound Audio System
	Dynamic cruise control
	Safety belts with automatic pretensioners
	Dynamic Stability Control
	Launch Control

Which BMW X4 M trim should you go for?

We would recommend you go for the M Competition trim as apart from the extra power it also comes with a distinctive quad performance system and bigger wheels to add to its drama at a premium of just $7000. Worth every penny for the added thrill.

The most impressive part of the X4 M is its all-new engine which has been designed from the ground up. It is an all-new engine when compared to the engine on the much subtle M40i. The crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods are forged to take the extra beating and have low energy loss.

The 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six motor and the 8-Speed Automatic transmission has an array of radiators and intercoolers to keep things cool. It is lighter by 20 pounds as compared to te sparingly similar engine from the X4. Bimmer’s adaptive xDrive system makes sure that the power is transmitted to all four wheels thus maximizing the output.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
MSRP	$73,400	$80,445	$74,100	$80,600
Engine	3.0L Turbo I6	2.9L Turbo V6	4.0L Turbo V8	5.0L Supercharged V8
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	473 hp @ 5600 rpm	505 hp @ 6500 rpm	469 hp @ 5500 rpm	550 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	442 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm	443 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm	479 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm	502 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

Fun fact is that it uses the same transmission from the mental 2020 BMW M5 which gives you an idea of the SUV’s potential. In terms of sheer power, the Jag produces the most horses which is courtesy of its humongous 5.0L supercharged engine. Alfa Romeo comes next as the 2,9L engine uses bigger turbos. Merc and BMW are similarly powered despite a 1L difference between the two.

How quick is the BMW X4 M in the 0-60 run?

2020 BMW X4 M just munches up tarmac for a blistering 0-60 run in just 4 seconds flat. This is not class-leading but for an SUV that weighs in at 4590 pounds, it is a feat! The precise 8-Speed automatic gearbox helps it achieve this feat without sweating it out. 

It will scare the bejeebers out of you when you floor it. That’s how quick this bimmer is. The torque comes in as early as 2600 RPM which helps you get a taste of the acceleration quickly.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
0-60 MPH	4.0 s	3.6 s	3.8 s	4.1 s
Quarter mile	11.6	12.2	N/A	11.7
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	9.0	7.7	8.1	8.1

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

The bimmer undercuts all of its competition with the quickest quarter-mile time. But for the 0-60 run, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio takes the podium with its least curb weight which is a huge factor in acceleration. Less sprung mass equals to less acceleration time.

How well does the X4 M handle?

The 2020 BMW X4 M does handle anything like an SUV. You will be in a dilemma as to how can a car of such stature can handle so precisely. It is equipped with an M-approved adjustable suspension which gives it impressive driving dynamics. A new precise steering helps control the X4 M in any given situation.

The chassis has more brace points to help handle the extra muscle and make the car follow the race lines precisely. M Competition gets stiffer sway bars to minimize body roll. The cabin is well insulated from road and wind noise. There are four distinct driving modes available. They are EcoPro, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ which alters the driving dynamics.

What is the bimmer's stopping distance from 60-0?

Bimmer has the biggest brakes in its class, and it makes perfect sense as you need added muscle to stop the heavy SUV. The front brakes are four-piston calipers whereas the rear ones are single piston. The electronic brake distribution helps distribute the brake pressure according to the scenario.

Braking on the X4 is composed and linear. The pedal is compact and the pressure linear. The adaptive dampers take care of excessive leans while braking in corners. The bigger master cylinder helps in much better brake modulation.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
Brake Front (in.)	18.5	14.2	N/A	15.6
Brake Rear (in.)	18.5	13.8	N/A	15.6
60-0 MPH (ft)	147	N/A	N/A	N/A

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

The upsized rotors are surely going to give the bimmer an edge over the others but it might still not be a wide one as the X4 M is the heaviest of the lot.

The BMW X4 returns a combined 16 MPG. It is fuel-efficient for the power it produces. The active xDrive system manages the power sent to all four wheels for better efficiency. It is not the fuel-efficient of the lot as the added weight and power take away its edge in efficiency.

The extreme performance upgrades decrease the fuel efficiency but it’s not that bad as you still get a nominal 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on highways which is a handful from an SUV which gives the least preference to efficiency.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
MPG (city)	14	17	16	16
MPG (highway)	19	23	22	21
MPG (combined)	16	19	18	18
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.)	17.2	16.9	17.4	21.7
Range (City/Highway)	241/327	287/389	278/383	347/456

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio returns the maximum fuel efficiency due to the smallest engine and least curb weight of the lot. But Jaguar F-PACE gives the highest range due to its huge 21.7-gallon fuel tank.

The seating in the X4 is comfortable, at least for the front row passengers. The raked roof makes head bumps common in the second row. All round, the seats are well contoured with good under-thigh support and wrapped in exclusive materials. The legroom is abundant in both rows. The dashboard is well laid out with the infotainment system occupying the central area with an array of buttons and knobs flush with the dashboard.

The center is driver-focused which is good attention to detail. 2020 X4 M stands out from the rest of the lineup with its backlit M logo integrated into the headrest, which instantly reminds you of the special bimmer you are in. The dashboard is made up of a soft-touch material- SensaTec which is well built and adds to the overall build quality.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.5/57.5/40.7	40.2/N/A/36.6	41.1/N/A/N/A	37.8/N/A/N/A
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/56.0/35.5	38.9/N/A/35.9	N/A	N/A

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

You are also treated to carbon fiber trims on the inside with M badged door sills and driver footrest. Special Merino leather upholstery gives a luxurious twist to the cabin. All of its competitors have a coupe-like body style that steals from the second-row headroom. Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the tallest of the lot which gives it the best headroom of the lot but suffers in shoulder and legroom.

What are the infotainment featues available?

The center of the dashboard is laid out with a 10.25-inch iDrive Infotainment system which is super easy to use. The driver-centric design makes accessing it comfortable. The X4 has gesture control which helps in doing various functions with hand gestures.

The Harman Kardon sound system comes as standard which makes up for a Boombastic experience with the 16 speaker setup which includes two bass speakers under the front seats, midrange center channel speaker 6-speakers. (That’s a lot of speakers!)

Infotainment Features

• Harman Kardon Surround Sound System
• 600W amplifier
• 16-Speakers
• Anti-Theft AM/FM stereo CD/MP3 player with Radio Data System(RDS)
• HD Radio with multicast FM station reception
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 1-year All Access subscription

How much baggage can the 2020 X4 M take in?

BMW X4 has a cargo volume is 18.5 cubic feet which is moderate. It is enough for the family weekend getaways. It loses out on volume due to the body structure. But fold down the rear seats and you get 50 cubic feet.

As the X4 M is constructed with a sloping roofline, the liftgate opens up widely which gives for a much easier loading and unloading situation. The entry and exit points are higher which can make loading heavy objects cumbersome.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	18.5	18.5	17.6	33.5

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadriofoglio has the same cargo volume whereas the GLC 63 from Merc has the least of the lot. Jaguar F-PACE has the most cargo volume, thanks to its low floor.

Interior Features

• 14-Way power front M sport seats
• 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats
• Anthracite Headliner
• Cargo space with velour carpeting
• Merino leather upholstery
• Carbon fiber trim
• 3-Stage heated front seats
• Panoramic moonroof with fully automatic two-piece glass pane

The highlighting feature of the bimmer is the swooping rear quarter which differentiates it from the X3 M. It has the stance of an SUV with a coupe-like roofline. The X4 M is technically an X3 M with a coupe-structure, past the B-Pillar. The bimmer is designed minimally. It has flowing lines and a coupe-ish rear quarter design differentiating it from the X3 M.

2020 X4 M has the largest footprint of the lot. The ground clearance of 8.1 inches is off-road worthy as well. Those 21-inch alloy wheels along with the M spoiler and M quad pipes helps it stand out from the regular X4. The blacked-out treatment gives it a rather eerie feeling which makes you stand out of the crowd.

Models	BMW X4 M	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 63*	Jaguar F-PACE SVR
Length (in)	187.5	185.1	186.8	186.5
Width (in)	75.9	77.0	76.0	81.5
Height (in)	63.7	66.3	62.2	65.7
Ground clearance (in)	8.1	N/A	6.2	8.4
Wheelbase (in)	112.8	111.0	113.1	113.1
Track width (in) F/R	63.9/63.1	61.2/63.3	66.3/66.3	64.6/65.1
Curb weight (lbs)	4590	4360	4511	4395

*2019 figures used for comparison purpose

If it wasn’t for the ground clearance and roof rails, we would have misunderstood the X4 M for a Sportback coupe! That’s how non-SUV-ish it looks. But then again, it is the sheer size that amplifies its road presence. Despite its shape, the X4 M has the largest footprint of the lot and is one of the heaviest as well.

Exterior Features

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED Headlights
• Power folding heated side mirrors
• Shadowline exterior trim
• M quad tailpipes
• M rear spoiler
• Aerodynamic kit
• Roof rails

A host of critical active safety features are standard on the X4 M. These features help you stay safe when this monster of an SUV goes mental on the track as well as the roads.

Some notable features are daytime pedestrian detection and BMW's call assist which can help out in grave situations. The various safety features offered are listed below.

Safety Features

• Head Protection System (HPS) front and rear
• Front Side Impact Airbags
• LED Fog Lamps
• Front and Rear Park Distance Control
• Rear Camera
• LED headlamps with cornering lighting
• Automatic Locking Retractors(ALR) on all passenger seats
• Front Safety Belts with automatic pretensioners
• Adaptive Brake lights
• Anti-theft alarm system
• BMW Assist eCall includes Emergency Request and Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification
• Active Guard with Frontal Collision Warning
• Automatic City Collision Mitigation and Braking
• Daytime Pedestrian Detection

BMW X4 M vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

If the bimmer is all about precision and performance then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is about tradition and passion. Both are created with different mindsets but cater to the same intention, of shear performance. The bimmer is a much modern car that encapsulates all of the latest electronic gizmos to help you out in safety and driving. The Alfa Romeo also has it but fares much less than the bimmer. The X4 M is our choice of the two.

BMW X4 M vs Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC-Class Coupe AMG GLC 63

The AMG GLC 63 is Mercedes’s answer for the X4. It is a fully-fledged crossover. It has less power and lags in acceleration as well. The seating is not as comfortable as the bimmer and the cargo is cramped. As an overall package, it fails to topple the BMW X4 M. So we would go for the mental bimmer over the Merc for the sheer driving pleasure it offers.

BMW X4 M vs Jaguar F-PACE SVR

Jaguar F-PACE is the only supercharged car of the lot and this helps it pump out a staggering 550 horses. It is the priciest and has the largest engine of the lot as well. The jag has one of the most impressive cargo volume of the lot. It handles more like a performance sedan just like the beemer. But the Jag lacks in comfort and interior materials which the bimmer excels at. So BMW X4 M is our choice with the most balanced setup of the lot.

 

2020 BMW X4 M is a whole new creation from the German Automaker. It has the stance of an SUV, looks like a Sportback and well performs, dare we say, like a sports car. It is a compilation of things that were never imagined off, which is what makes it special. There are a few letdowns, like the limited second-row seating and cargo space. But the golden question here is, Why do you want this car for? If performance is your answer then you have it sorted. This is that car that can look plain and simple, but when needed can switch personalities. It is what makes it special and that's what we would have the X4 M for!