BMW X4 M Competition 2021 Review

The 2021 BMW X4 M Competition encompasses two SUV trends at once: the five-door coupe body-style and high-performance.

Launched in Australia at the same time as its more squared-off non-identical technical twin, the BMW X3 M Competition, the X4 M trades useability for a higher price.

That still hasn’t stopped it being the third most popular vehicle from BMW’s M hot tuners in Australia, behind the X3 M and the manic little M2.

The X4 M is priced at $164,900 plus on-road costs, $7000 more than the X3 M. Both are five-seaters that come with a new-generation twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine (375kW/600Nm), an eight-speed torque-converter auto and all-wheel drive.

There’s more headroom in the rear of the X3 and more luggage space as well, because it doesn’t have that sloping roofline.

It’s the same sort of deal with the X4 M’s most obvious competitor, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe, which is less useable and more expensive than the V8 GLC wagon.

Other obvious BMW X4 M competition include the V6 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Porsche Macan Turbo. But there’s no shortage of other options if you cast your gaze further afield, including two V8 Jeep Grand Cherokees, the booming V8 Jaguar F-PACE and even the battery-electric Tesla Model X, which might not suck fuel and expel a fat exhaust note, but it’s mighty fast in a straight line.

By the way, the US-built X3 and X4 M wear the Competition moniker because it’s the higher tune available globally and the only one we take here. That’s a bit like the AMG ‘S’ model policy.

Standard X4 M gear outside includes adaptive LED headlights, 21-inch light alloy wheels shod in run-flat tyres (yep, no spare), a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, lip spoiler on the hatch and a few styling flicks such as black side gills. This is no dramatic styling overhaul compared to the standard X4.

Metallic paint is now a no-cost option on the X4 M, apart from $700 for an Individual metallic option.

Inside, the upholstery is trimmed in Merino leather, climate control is tri-zone, M front sports seats are powered and heated, with memory for the driver, and there’s an M steering wheel that is round at the bottom (!).

The infotainment system is headquartered in a 10.25-inch display atop the centre console, while the 12.3-inch instrument panel retains the traditional M white on black look with red needles for the circular dials.

The X4 M misses out on the latest BMW operating system 7, but that might be addressed by an update due soon.

There’s a Harman Kardon sound system, a three-year app subscription, voice control and a ‘connected’ package that includes real-time traffic updates. Happily, BMW abandoned its policy of charging for Apple CarPlay a while ago, although Android Auto is not yet available (but should be soon). Smartphones can be charged wirelessly.

The BMW X4 M is protected by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and two five-year/80,000km conditions-based service plans. Basic will set you back $3991 and Plus $8905.

The mainstream X4 is covered by a 2017 ANCAP five-star rating, but it does not include the 2021 BMW X4 M Competition.

Passengers are protected by six airbags and a slew of driver assist systems including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that will bring the vehicle to a full stop. Active cruise control also has this function.

Other systems will warn you if you wander out of your lane and then help you stay in it, assist with steering and warn of crossing traffic and side collisions. All up, it delivers a semi-autonomous driving capability that allows hands-off steering for short periods.

Parking assistants includes both panorama and three-dimensional views, while a head up display helps reduce time spent looking away from the road.

While M hasn’t spent too much time on differentiating the look of the BMW X4 M Competition from its mainstream siblings, it’s definitely had a crack when it comes to the technical stuff.

The new DOHC 24-valve engine, codenamed S58, debuted in the X3 and X4 M ahead of their introduction in the new M3 and M4 in 2021.

Highlights include a 3D-printed cylinder head, closed deck block, forged crankshaft, two mono-scroll turbochargers, an electronically-controlled wastegate and an indirect intercooler. Direct fuel injection pressure lifts from 200 to 350 bar. An M Sport exhaust looks after the audio.

On 98 RON fuel peak power comes at 6250rpm (redline is 7200rpm) and peak torque across a wide span from 2500rpm to 5950rpm. The X4 M accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.1sec and averages a claimed 10.6L/100km with the aid of stop-start. We saw 12s on test.

The engine pairs with a ZF eight-speed torque-converter auto and M xDrive rear-biased all-wheel drive controlled by a multi-plate clutch. There’s also a limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

Steering is variable-ratio speed-sensitive with electric assistance and an M-specific tune. Vented 395mm M Compound discs (which mix cast iron with internal aluminium chambers) up front are clamped by four-piston callipers. A single floating piston clamps each 370mm rear disc.

The X4 M started its development based on the same CLAR architecture as the standard X4, but there is substantial added body bracing and bespoke three-mode adaptive dampers.

Being M cars the suspension, xDrive, steering, engine, gearbox and stability control settings are all adjustable. You can store them in two groups of permanent favourites and activate them via M1 and M2 red toggles mounted on the steering wheel.

In terms of numbers, the X4 M measures up at 4758mm long, 1927mm wide, 1620mm high and has a 2864mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is claimed to be 1970kg, which isn’t too bad for this type of vehicle.

Storage capacity is claimed at 525 litres with all seats in place and 1430 litres with the 40/20/40-split rear bench folded down.

The 2021 BMW X4 M Competition reads like it’s going to be great. And when you think about it, surely there’s no way the lads at M are going to throw anything less than their best at their first mid-size SUVs.

Sadly, all that specification, sweat and ambition has not quite added up to what we all wished for.

If you want to sample a great BMW M SUV then take the X5 M or X6 M for a trundle. They’re bigger, heavier, more complex and more expensive but also a more convincing drive to the shops or around a series of mountain corners.

The X4 M has a couple of issues that detract from its final output. The engine, for all its creaminess and manic howl at higher revs, doesn’t leave you gasping, or gasping for more. It lacks the feral punch of some rivals, most importantly the V8 AMG GLC. A touch of tip-in throttle lag exacerbates that.

And then there’s the suspension set-up. The default setting is Comfort mode, but it’s not well named. And it just gets harsher as the dampers are wound up into Sport and Sport+ modes.

The jolts and hits weren’t as bad as I recall the X3 M set-up being on frost-cracked New York roads at the global launch in 2019, but they’re still not great.

Bumps, holes, ridges and broken edges are not the X4 M’s friend. It’s been tied down hard to maintain body control, but the impact back into the cabin is just too great.

Active roll stabilisation and a damper tune that started more compliant would surely be a better solution.

A lesser issue is the steering, which is too heavy in Sport+ mode. Stay in Comfort or Sport mode and the X4 M has the deft and quick turning response to be really enjoyable. On smoother roads, the chassis also grips commendably.

Meanwhile, the beautifully-tuned transmission is always up and about, snapping through the gears unaided, or via manual changes triggered by the lever or flappy paddles.

If you’re wondering about going off-road, well the BMW X4 M does come with hill descent control. But it’s otherwise road-focused, crazy-expensive and doesn’t have a spare tyre. A gravel road is sufficient challenge, thanks. It negotiated that just fine.

From the excellent driver’s seat most things work well. The manual reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel does seem a bit cheap at this price, but there’s no shortage of other stuff to occupy your attention.

In fact, there are so many buttons and controls on and behind the steering wheel and on the dashboard it all looks a bit intimidating. There’s the iDrive system, of course, but there’s also voice control and even gesture control, although that’s optional nowadays.

Like most modern luxury cars you’re going to have to spend some time acclimatising to all that’s on offer.

Rear seat passengers get plentiful legroom but miss out on a bit of headroom – if you want that swap to the X3 M. Storage options front and rear are generous enough, just like the mainstream car.

And that brings up one final criticism. Inside or out, the BMW X4 M just doesn’t feel or look that special compared to the standard version. It really needs a bit more glamour.

The 2021 BMW X4 M Competition is one of those vehicles we drive nowadays that leaves the distinct impression it was tuned on and for the smooth highways and byways of Germany and western Europe.

Under those conditions it would be swift, sure-footed and composed. Sadly, in Australia it just doesn’t quite translate because our roads are bad and getting worse.

So that makes the X4 M hard to recommend. There are better performance SUVs out there, some of them wearing BMW badges.

There are also, come to think of it, better versions of the X3 on sale in Australia. Buying an X3 M40i or Alpina XD3 and pocketing the change makes plenty of sense to me.

How much does the 2021 BMW X4 M Competition cost?
Price: $164,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 375kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 244g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested