BMW X4 M 2022: 3.8-second SUV gets a fierce new look

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BMW has given the 2021 X4 M a midlife facelift that brings redesigned exterior styling, more tech and more grunt to the midsize SUV than most will be brave enough to use.

The X4 M is functionally identical to its X3 M sibling that offers the same package in a wagon body style, with both expected to land in Australia alongside the cooking variants towards the end of this year.

What’s under the bonnet of the X4 M?

Being a proper M car, the folks at Stuttgart weren’t going to let the X4 M come in for a facelift without a tune up and the results have been impressive. 

Armed with the same 3.0L twin-turbo straight-six shoehorned under the bonnet of the BMW M3 and M4 Competition, the X4 M couples it to an eight-speed torque converter automatic and feeds the power to a rear-biased all wheel drive system.

Power remains at 375kW but torque has been wound up to 650Nm, a 50Nm boost over the outgoing model, which can deliver a stonking 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

That’s a healthy 0.3-second improvement, with performance gains also attributed to the 21-inch wheels which now weigh 2kg less at every corner.

With less unsprung weight, a staggered 255mm front and 265m rear tyre setup and a rear-biased all wheel drive system the X4 M should prove to be as sprightly around a corner as it is in a straight line – but we’ll have to wait for our official review to know for sure.

Giving the X4 M a bit more attitude is the standard-fit M Sports exhaust along, while the adaptive dampers help the pumped-up coupe serve as a comfortable daily driver and a keen handler when you want to flog it along a backroad.

The X4 M’s handsome face gets a bit angry

Offering some subtle changes seen on the regular X4, the M grade carries over the sleek new LED headlights that measure 10mm narrower for a more aggressive look.

Sitting in between is the enlarged kidney grille that cuts down deeper into the front bumper, with the more expressive front air intake sitting below flanked by the enhanced side vents.

At the rear the X4 M doesn’t carry over the dramatic lights of the X3 M but wears an aggressive rear bumper that contrasts sharply with the body colour paint.

What’s new on the inside of the X4 M?

Updating that X4 M’s functional and well-equipped space, BMW has fitted two large 12.3-inch screens with one housed in the instrument cluster in place of the old analogue dials.

BMW’s onboard system now features Android Auto along with Apple CarPlay so you can beam your phone up onto the screen when needed.

Physically, the dash has been slightly restyled with the air vents now more prominent looking and while buttons have been slimmed down the important controls for climate control still remain.

Information on pricing for the X4 M is still yet to be announced but will be announced when the entire X3 and X4 fleet make their way to Australia in the fourth quarter of this year.