Although lower than the X3, you still sit very high up in the X4 and if you’re moving up from a lower car the position may take some getting used to. The interior is a classy, quality environment with a good standard of fit and finish although, like the X3, the lower in the cabin the cheaper looking the plastics.

Overall though, the interior feels worthy of the car’s premium price and is a very nice place to be.

BMW’s rotary iDrive controller used to navigate through the multimedia system’s various menus and display’s remains intuitive and friendly to use and the optional Head-up Display impresses too, with crisp, clear graphics and a genuinely helpful display.

We first drove the X4 in M Sport guise fitted with larger than standard 20-inch wheels. Despite this, ride quality was very good in the default driving mode. It’s possible to firm up the dampers by selecting ‘Sport’ mode, which reduces body roll and makes the engine map more responsive but also makes the ride less comfortable.

Equally, road noise was fine on smooth surfaces. On rougher tarmac the wider tyres made themselves heard but overall BMW X4 comfort levels are very good for a car of this type.

The 30d diesel engine fitted to the car we tested was impressively smooth and refined too.

Up front, the seats are supremely comfortable and there’s plenty of shoulder room for front occupants.