2017 BMW X4 M40i: A Sports Car that Happens to be an SUV

What happens when you combine sports-car performance with the added practicality of an SUV? You get the BMW X4 M40i, that’s what. Unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the M40i gives a shot in the arm to the compact, coupe-shaped X4 SUV.

Featuring a brand-new turbocharged, 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine delivering 355 horsepower and 343 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2017 BMW X4 M40i delivers best-in-class acceleration, running from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. For your information, TwinPower Turbo doesn’t mean twin turbo. There is still a single turbocharger, but it has twin scrolls.

• Also: BMW launching M Performance version of X4 crossover
• Also: 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i: Whither The Wagon?

It’s extremely fast and much more satisfying than I expected. The M40i also handles very well, not just for an SUV, but compared to most cars, thanks to stronger springs and stabilizers, increased camber on the front axle, and adaptive dampers. Power is put down to the ground by way of an eight-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters. The test vehicle had the optional 20-inch rims with super sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires to handle contact with the pavement.

This is the second vehicle in recent years (after the M235i) to bear the M badge, but not really be an M car. To be honest, it’s a surprising move by BMW because one might think using the M badge in such a fashion might actually diminish its prestige. My fellow journalists to whom I posed the question were in similar agreement. While there are plenty of performance upgrades to the M40i over a standard X4, it doesn’t get the full treatment designed to withstand the abuses of regular track usage like real M cars do.

That being said, the “M Performance” mods make a significant difference in everyday driving. Expecting the basic but peppy performance of an SUV with a decent motor, I was treated to sports-car like performance in every aspect from road feel to handling and braking. The X4 M40i begged to be pushed at the appropriate times and was just a joy to operate. Never having considered obtaining an SUV for my performance needs, I found myself now pondering the possibility.

The interior is standard BMW fanfare with the gorgeous three-spoke M Sport steering wheel—my favourite wheel on the market. Comfortable bucket seats wrapped in Nevada leather keep the driver firmly planted, wood paneling adorns the console and the iDrive system with the optional head-up display makes changing radio stations or songs easy as heck.

A couple of minor annoyances bear mentioning. Push button starts are an amazing evolution in every way (who doesn’t like to push a button versus turning a key?). Starting the vehicle is fine, but when it comes time to turn it off, BMW requires two pushes to get the job done. The first push stops the motor, but keeps the electronics on. A second push is required to turn everything off, which really got on my nerves. The other thing I’d like to be able to do is close the automatic trunk via the remote which I wasn’t able to do.

For a compact-sized SUV that’s been morphed to look like a coupe, the X4 has a relatively good amount of space in the rear seat, but as is usually the case, tall adults will have their heads scraping the roof. The sloping roofline also cuts into the trunk volume compared to the X3.

The X4 M40i starts at $60,700 plus $2,145 for freight. Unfortunately, that gets you only the bare-boned version. The test vehicle came equipped with the $5,700 Premium Package, which adds comfort access, auto dimming mirrors, navigation, head-up display, XM tuner and ConnectedDrive services. It’s a hefty price increase, but that head-up display makes it worth it. The vehicle also came with the $3,500 Executive Package which includes universal remote, lumbar support, heated rear seats, active LED headlights and Harman/Kardon audio, and the $2,200 Technology package that consists of blind spot detection, driving assistant and surround view camera. Standalone options were headlight washers, Long Beach Blue metallic paint, wireless charging and speed limit info for a grand total of $74,195.

At that price, we’re approaching the $75,500 MSRP of a BMW M3 and as a performance enthusiast, it would be hard to keep my focus on the M40i or splurge a tad more to get the coveted M car. I enjoyed every minute of driving in the M40i and the fuel economy of 10.3 L/100 km was simply amazing, but for that amount of money, it’s a bit of a hard sell in my book unless you're really looking for a one-vehicle-fits-all solution.