• Plenty of engine options in the range
• 2.0-litre xDrive 20d most popular
• M Performance models are rapid  

For a car that fills a particular niche style-wise, there’s a good selection of engines available for the X4. Diesel is still a popular choice with this type of car, although there are high performance petrols, too.

BMW X4 diesel engines

Kicking off the diesel range, and the expected bestseller, is the xDrive 20d. It uses the same 190hp 2.0-litre diesel engine we’ve become used to in various BMW models, with a useful 400Nm on tap.

It’s a strong performer and it doesn’t feel like an entry-level engine. There’s enough power and torque available for most situations, so you won’t be wanting for performance unless you’re more of an enthusiastic driver.

The 0-62mph dash is taken care of in 8.0 seconds, and the X4 works its way through its eight-speed automatic gearbox with ease. Gearchanges are very smooth indeed and it’s one of the most responsive auto transmissions on offer. Top speed is rated at 132mph.

High-speed refinement is impressive, with just a little whistle coming from the turbocharger – something we’ve experienced in the X3, too.

Next up is the xDrive 30d, using a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel producing 265hp and 620Nm of torque. It’ll complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.8 seconds, and will reach a 149mph top speed.

At the top of the diesel line-up is the M40d, not a true M car but one developed by the M Performance division. This particular X4 uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine producing 326hp and 680Nm of torque. Performance is strong, with a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

BMW X4 petrol engines

An X4 M40i is available as the petrol alternative to the M40d, and it uses the same engine found in the X3 M40i. That means it’s a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged unit, producing 354hp and 500Nm of torque. This version of the X4 will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds and will go on to reach 155mph at top speed.

At the very top of the range is the X4 M which shares an engine with the M3 and, unsurprisingly, the X3 M. This twin-turbo six cylinder engine has over 500hp, making it devilishly quick.

• X4 is a sharp-driving SUV
• Disguises its size well in the bends
• One of the best SUVs to drive 

The X4 lives up to its billing as the X3’s sportier sibling, as it’s much more enjoyable to drive than you’d expect of a large SUV.

The wider track at the rear makes the X4 feel more hunkered down in a bend, while the steering has been tweaked compared with the X3.

It’s very sharp and direct, which affords the X4 a darty feel that wouldn’t feel out of place on a much smaller, sportier hatchback. The only downside is that there isn’t a lot in the way of feedback through the wheel for the driver to feel truly involved.

Head for a series of twisty bends and the X4 belies its size with an agile drive and eager turn in, with very little in the way of bodyroll to upset things. There’s fun to be had on smooth tarmac, plus you can tweak the car’s set-up by choosing between different driving modes that alter the throttle response, steering weight and adaptive dampers (where fitted).

Comfort, Sport and Adaptive modes are available to flick between. Sport mode firms everything up, making the steering feel too artificially heavy and quite tiring, while we found the Adaptive mode to be a bit fidgety on our test route of broken, undulating UK roads thanks to its firmness. Best to leave it in Comfort for the best balance.

It certainly gives the Porsche Macan a run for its money on a country road, although the car does feel quite wide when you come across a narrower piece of road with other cars coming towards you. M40i and M40d models strike a good balance between sporty dynamics and usability, but the X4 M is just too stiff. The upshot is that it handles far better than such a bulky SUV should.