2015 BMW X4 Preview: 2014 New York Auto Show

The 2015 BMW X4 is a new ‘sports activity coupe’ that will slot in between the more-practical BMW X3 and BMW X5 SUVs.  We say ‘more practical’ because the new BMW X4 is all about style: its sloped roof cuts into rear seat headroom and cargo space, all in the name of sparking up the passions of drivers and passersby.  The BMW X4 is an experiment that tackles a traditionally slow-selling segment, as the larger BMW X6 ‘coupe’ has seen only modest success in its lifetime.

New 2015 BMW X4: What’s New

The 2015 BMW X4’s looks are essentially the entire story, as the rest of the crossover’s platform and mechanical details are borrowed from the X3.  You get the same gasoline engine options (240 horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or 300 horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder) along with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.  The BMW X4’s body has been buffed up to present a more muscular appearance to go along with its plunging roofline, and the vehicle can also be ordered in M Sport trim for extra speedy styling.

New 2015 BMW X4: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 BMW X4 is the answer to a question accountants were asking: namely, how many more segments can BMW expand existing architectures into in an effort to recoup development costs and maintain sales momentum.  Whether there is an audience for this type of vehicle remains to be seen, as its closest would-be competitor, the Acura ZDX, unceremoniously left the market last year due to extreme consumer apathy.  A higher price tag than the X3 might add exclusivity, but it may also prove too bitter a pill to swallow for customers already smarting from the X4’s lack of interior space.