BMW X3 M and X4 M vs. Audi RS Q3 range

The BMW M lineup has gained some unexpected additions in the form of the current generation X3 and X4 crossovers and with the new X3 M and X4 M high-performance crossovers, a lot of people wish that they could have done it right from the very beginning but since better late than never, time to flip the whys and the X-files on the newest BMW M crossovers.

2020 BMW X3 M

2020 BMW X4 M

The first-ever BMW X3 M, starting at 70,300 Euros plus OTR, and the X4 M, starting at 72,500 Euros plus OTR, are the most affordable SUVs in the BMW M lineup, making them cheaper to own than the upcoming X5 M and X6 M. For starters, they look broadly similar to your basic X3 and X4 but because this is the M we're talking, you'd expect this to be as macho and hot as your basic M3 and M4 but no. They're a lot more different than that.

Yes, both these models are macho in looks and smell like aftershave on the inside, but what's underneath them is worth asking. It uses a 3.0L straight-6 Double VANOS Twin Power Turbo engine, which is almost identical to the BMW M3 and M4 but in the range-topping Competition spec, which produces 510PS of power and 600Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it goes from 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 250kph. 285 with the optional extra, of course.

Because most believe the X3 is like the 3-Series of the SUV lineup, you might imagine that M crossovers like these, might behave like the already great BMW M3 but no. They're bulkier than the M3 of course and they handle very differently compared to the M3 it draws inspiration from. On the plus side, since being a BMW, they're not afraid to get its drivers hooked for more and if they want some competition, perhaps they should face these;

2020 Audi RS Q3

2020 Audi RS Q3 Sportback

This is Audi's answer to the little BMW M crossovers mentioned above. This is the all-new RS Q3 range and this is what happens when the folks from Audi Sport decided to make them behave like Russian Olympians that will get them to trouble easily but sadly, they're not Russian Olympians. They're just like high school ladies in two-piece swimsuits enjoying the pool.

The RS Q3 starts at 63,500 Euros plus OTR while the Sportback equivalent starts at 65,000 Euros plus OTR, making them cheaper to own than the almost bonkers BMW X3/X4 M but don't let the pricing fool you because although cheaper to own than those above, they can be quite troublesome for those who got their hands on.

The 2.5L TFSi engine that powers the RS Q3 range produces 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque and when mated to a 7-speed S tronic, it gets from 0-100kph in four and half seconds and with the optional extra, up to 280kph of top speed. In other words, they're a lot slower than the BMW X3/X4 M in a middle of a drag race.

Handling-wise? The RS Q3 can be downright mild and tangy but it feels downright easy to drive on the road and on the track. Sure, you can take them on the dirt but why would you want to in the RS Q3? Anyway, these crossovers are almost as enjoyable to drive as the TT RS, I'm still jealous to have one but it's too late because with the TT RS meeting its maker, these RS crossovers are surely to blame for this.

Which would you go for? The powerful but expensive BMW X3/X4 M or the less powerful but less expensive and sensible RS Q3 range?

Photo: BMW AG/Audi AG

Second-generation BMW X4 (G02)

BMW introduced the X4 four years ago which is nothing more of a jacked-up version of the BMW 3-Series saloon or 3 Series Gran Turismo or 4-Series Gran Coupe or whatever and the conclusion is like its X6 big brother, it's just another one of BMW's wrongs that cannot be rewritten right. So, with the second-generation X4 now in the open, has the Sports Activity Coupe that serves as the baby brother of the X6 got it right? Let's investigate.

2019 BMW X4

2019 BMW X4

The jacked-up version of BMW's entry-level saloon is now on its second generation and upon your first encounter with the original X4, has the new model ever changed? Starting from the design view, the exterior's heavily redesigned while retaining the side view of the original. Sure, the front view looks auspiciously familiar by BMW standards, but the rear view is somewhat worth noticing because you may notice that the model name badges are now below rather than above the rear lamps, and as far as the eye can see, this new layout could set a new BMW standard for future models where the model name emblems are now positioned below the rear lamps a la MB coupes of today. It all seems suspicious over this new move but behind the new look, it's still an X4.

2019 BMW X4 interior

The interior looks a bit the same as the original but while the uniform interior is a buzzkill for luxury car standards, toying around the car's gizmos is a great way to get to know each other such as BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW Connected, Amazon Alexa compatibility (giving you the ability to tell the Alexa from your Amazon Echo to open the car for you and do things), Apple CarPlay connectivity, and so much more. Having fun with the gadgets, the comforts are still above average by luxury car standards, especially with its sloping roofline and it's starting to feel like you're riding with your auntie's luxury crossover. Space-wise, the boot capacity of 525 liters as well as its fastback styling really means that it's big enough to fit some stuff you shopped for rummage sales or for some boring birthday parties. If you're feeling adventurous, you can fold the rear seats to fit some more stuff like your BMX or some gym equipment you've ordered from the sports store. Practical, I dare say.

2019 BMW X4

Now, the performance is something worth noticing on the new X4, and by launch, the 2.0L engines can be either petrol and diesel while the M Performance variant carries three liters while on the subject of not focusing on diesel engines because this is a German car, focus shifts on the petrol variants with the most economical being the xDrive20i bearing less than 7.1L/100km of fuel efficiency with the most powerful being the M40i, producing 360PS of power and 500Nm of torque, capable of going to 100kph in 4.8 seconds. All models are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.

Like the previous model, the new X4 retains the standard xDrive all-wheel drive system, making it capable on various types of road conditions, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow, although the consequences as felt from its big brother couldn't be far behind on this new model. BMW says that they had improved the dynamics to make it more refined than the previous model but the end result is still between a rock and a hard place. Apart from that, BMW jammed the new X4 with numerous safety features such as Cruise Control with braking function as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation, among many others. Slap it with the Driving Assistant Plus safety package and the result is a driving experience worth surrendering your driving license forever. Weird, isn't it?

2019 BMW X4

Should you buy it? The new X4 starts at 49,700 Euros with taxes and fees included and while it sounds like a much to burden with its pricing, it is still worth a start to buy in case you can't afford the big and heavy X6. So, has the new X4 improved from the previous model? Sort of, if you may, and while the addition of the M40i is a welcome feat to introduce drivers to the new X4, the rights, and wrongs are still in place in the new model, and being unrivaled, it remains a niche car that makes it less noticeable than the next car. In other words, this new car has a tough act to follow.

Photo: BMW AG

BMW X4

Remember the BMW X6? Yes. The X6 was too focused on being a road car than to be good off road and it's too focused to be tall and heavy to be any good on the road either. It's too cramped, too complicated, and it's too expensive. Now though, while BMW's working on the new model, looks like the X6 has spawned a baby in the lineup and it's called the BMW X4.

2015 BMW X4

The new BMW X4 maybe more of a jacked-up BMW 3-Series saloon or 3 Series Gran Turismo or 4-Series Gran Coupe or whatever the heck BMW's thinking of but on the upshot, the new X4 is shorter and lighter than its big brother, the X6. Like the X6, this is a Sport Activity Coupe that you can expect rear passengers to get cramped by its low roofline even though this jacked-up saloon can seat four people.

2015 BMW X4 interior

On the inside, it's all typical uniform-ish BMW interior because why the designers still stick to the same BMW interior regardless of which model. If there's a game guess which interior is which, I'm guessing that 99% percent of car enthusiasts will get it wrong. If that BMW interior wasn't enough to keep you confused, the iDrive system on it can quite confusing if you're trying it for the first time. It's so bothersome, connectivity may take a few minutes until your devices are linked to this car. It's all too bothering as I've been in numerous BMWs in my life, trying out most of its connectivities.

2015 BMW X4

The X4 is offered with a choice of two petrol engines and two diesel engines; from a 2.0L to a 3.0L. The top-of-the-line 35i has 306PS of power, 400Nm of torque, and it can do 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds but the 3.0L diesel engine-powered 35d develops 313PS of power, 630Nm of torque, and a 0-100kph time of 5.2 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than its petrol equivalent. That all sounds fine but those figures are a load of rubbish because whichever spec you'll be choosing, you will always get cranky and grumpy because of its harsh ride and its understeer issues. Yes, it has xDrive all-wheel drive system so it's well balanced and precise when driven carefully even when wet but when you turn it hard, you'll get the feeling that you expect from playing a game of tug of war until you got...dropped and your opposing team wins. Don't even think about being rugged either because the X4 is...more of a semi-rugged rather than a rugged SUV but despite its xDrive system, crossing on the hills offroad is like the same thing happened to the X6. Bummer. Dirt, snow, it's all in that scenario.

2015 BMW X4

The X4 starts at 45,600 for the base xDrive20d model and you can expect this price to spike when you lavish it with some optional extras and some accessories but is it worth it? With or without, it's still just a game of eenie meenie miney moe to settle the differences but if you can't afford a terribly confusing X6, why not give it a try? Who knows, you might be sharing the same miserable life as you'd expect from the X6. In essence then, this is just another one of BMW's wrongs that cannot be rewritten right.

Photo: BMW AG