The BMW X4 M Competition

The new BMW X4 M Competition is a hot rod in an SUV, er SAV package. What’s an SAV? Simple. That’s BMW’s naming convention for their version of a sport utility vehicle. In this case, it stands for Sports Activity Vehicle. The gang at Napleton News found it to be an incredible road rocket during the week we had it. It’s a stout reminder of what happens when you stuff a brutish turbo powerplant inside the engine room of a somewhat vanilla SUV. Here’s our report.

A fastback SUV?

That’s right! The 2022 BMW X4 M Competition is a fastback cousin to the BMW X3. It adopts the brand’s well-accepted slope-back design ethos that is seen on other models like the X6 M. Best of all, it’s an X4 M. Even better? It’s an X4 M Competition model.

Power for the X4 M Competition comes from a high-performance version of BMW’s venerable 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder seen throughout the BMW product lineup. While the standard X4 M comes with a 473 horsepower straight six with 457 lb-ft of torque, the X4 M Competition ups the ante to the tune of 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That’s a ton of twist for an inline-6 and an increase of 37 torques over the outgoing model.

All X4 variants mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission and deliver the power to a standard all-wheel drive system. BMW Performance Control, the company’s name for torque vectoring, is also included here. It helps send power from the front to the rear axle to maintain traction as needed. Since this is an X4 M Competition model, it includes an adaptive M suspension with cross-drilled M Sport brakes, an active M differential for traction assistance and other M-branded features throughout.

Like a finely-chiseled X3, only finer.

The X4 M Competition starts with a platform shared with the X3. But it goes substantially further. Wider, sleeker and hunkered down are three ways we’d describe the X4 M. For 2022, the grille is more prominent, with a blacked-out accent line between the kidney bean-shaped grille, presumably to hide the front-view camera.

There’s a wide, air-sucking intake below the front bumper. Oncoming airflow rushes past the front wheelwells via air curtain management. New taillights help separate the X4 M from others in the BMW portfolio.

One of the best aspects of the X4 M is the use of blacked-out body panels. In addition to a more sinister appearance, it reduces the overall bulk of one of these high-riding SAVs. It lends to a sleeker look overall.

Inside the X4 M Competition

The new BMW X4 M interior is filled with luxurious fixtures and fitment. There’s enough black leather here to make the Marquis de Sade proud. iDrive returns and honestly, it’s not an issue anymore. The leather-wrapped steering wheel includes alloy paddle shift levers and a pair of programmable M buttons to add or disable certain driver assists when lapping a raceway or other closed course.

Technophiles will enjoy the two 12.3-inch high-definition display screens that inhabit the gauge binnacle and the infotainment display. The system also includes Wi-Fi, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. A word about smartphone integration: It’s not as intuitive as some systems found in other vehicles. We really wish it was.

The fastback roofline slightly compromises cargo space in the way back. But it’s not unusable space in the least. With the second-row seats upright, there’s around 18.5 cubic feet. Fold that seat forward and the space grows to 51 cubic feet.

Behind the paddles of the X4 M Competition

It takes a few minutes to get used to the awkward positioning of the gear selection lever of the X4 M. Even after a week with it, we still found ourselves stuck in neutral when we hoped to be in drive. Since this is a drive-by-wire affair, finding the right gear requires a bit of finesse. Once we are there, it feels as though there is a rather tall tip-in that takes a few seconds to wake.

But once it does, hold on!

Acceleration is sudden and manages to push you back into your seat. The sound is music to your ears. Ours too!

Torque vectoring, or as BMW calls it, Performance Control engages the outside wheels of the X4 M and spins them faster to assist in turn-in while cutting a corner. It’s here and does wonders hustling this SAV around a turn in a rapid fashion. The Active Driving Assistant attempts to steer us either through an intersection or back into a lane while we try to perform an evasive maneuver. These assists are helpful in some cases, but we prefer to disengage them so we can steer the X4 M Competition as we see fit.

The sound from the exhaust tips is intense and draws attention whenever you tap the skinny pedal.

The only thing louder on this BMW X4 M Competition is its Sao Paolo Yellow paint. Wear your sunnies.

X4 M Competition Specifications

	2022 BMW X4 M Competition
Engine Type	3.0-liter TwinPower turbo inline-6 engine
Horsepower	503 hp @ 6,250 rpm
Torque	479 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
Transmission	8-speed automatic with AWD
Fuel Economy	17 mpg (15 city/20 hwy)
Suspension F/R	Strut / Multilink
Turning Circle	41.4 ft.
Also Available	X4 M with less power
Specs
Warranty	4 years/50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	4 years/50,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Tested
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	112.8 inches
Overall Length	187.5 inches
Width	75.9 inches
Height	63.8 inches
Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row)	50.5/18.5 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	39.5 inches
Headroom, 2nd	37.2 inches
Legroom, 1st	40.7 inches
Legroom, 2nd	35.5 inches
Shoulder, 1st	57.5 inches
Shoulder, 2nd	56.0 inches