BMW X4 Review: 2014 xDrive35i
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $87,430 (plus on-roads), $96,550 as-tested.
Engine/trans: 235kW/400Nm 3.0 turbo petrol 6cyl | 8sp auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 8.3 l/100km | tested: 12.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
What do we think of BMW's new X4?
Half-coupe, half-SUV, it's hard not to think of it as 'the compromise car'. Something for drivers who yearn for a sportscar, but life demands an SUV.
Is it then hopelessly impractical?
Think what you will about it, BMW has found a strong business case for the niche X4 - customers want them, pragmatism be damned.
As the X6 has proved (much to the howls of its critics), there’s surprisingly high demand for an SUV with a chopped roof. The addition of a smaller, more affordable version of the X6 therefore makes sense.
Popular or not, we weren’t quite sure whether such a package is as appealing as BMW reckons it is.
So, the proof being "in the eating", we took the X4 xDrive35i, the flagship of the range, for a week-long spin.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
Quality: The exterior may be an acquired taste, but the X4’s cabin is a fine-looking habitat.
Trimmed in ivory leather, our tester had cool touches like the 'X4' script embossed into the headrests, and patterned leatherwork running up the centre of each seat.
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