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2019 BMW X4 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2019 BMW X4 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: xDrive30i vs M40i
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2019 BMW X4 Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

Want to buy a vehicle that is somewhere between a luxury crossover and a coupe? Well, if you do, then the 2019 BMW X4 should be right up your alley. This sleek little vehicle is, first and foremost, an aesthetically pleasing. It honestly does not look like a lot of other vehicles on the road. But, what's more, the X4 is powerful and delivers a smooth performance.

Sure, space in the rear seat can feel a bit crunched due to the sloping roofline reducing head room and, furthermore, lessening the amount of available cargo space. But if space is not much of an issue for you, then the X4 has plenty else to offer. It has only just entered its second generation this model year, so you should expect more changes to occur within the next model year. Still, a lot have already been made, including a whole slew of new standard features.

Luckily, you only get two trim levels to choose from, and they are both pretty straightforward. The base trim (known as the xDrive30i) is already well-equipped and offers a good amount of power, but the line-topping M40i gives you a lot of extra sport. Of course, you will have to pay more for it.

With these trim levels ranging between starting MSRPs of $50,450 and $60,450, you are going to have to give both of them some careful consideration. Which trim level has the most of what you need? Which one offers the best overall deal? To find this out, read on through to the end of this comparison review. By then, it should be somewhat more obvious which 2019 BMW X4 suits your needs the most or if you should go for another vehicle altogether.

Compare the 2019 BMW X4 xDrive30i vs M40i Trims. What is the difference?

The 2019 BMW X4 line-up consists of two rather markedly different trim levels. The first one is the xDrive30i, and the most important distinguishing factor is that it comes only with all-wheel drive. (xDrive is the name that BMW assigns to its all-wheel drive versions; otherwise, they are known as sDrive models.) This is a four-door, five-seater that BMW calls a Sport Activity Couple (SAC for short). It is powered by a 2.0-L inline-4 engine that is capable of producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Together with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the xDrive30i is able to get 23 combined mpg (22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway). Other standard mechanical features on this trim level include a transmission lock-up torque converter, anti-roll bars for the front and rear, front and rear coil springs, Servotronic speed-sensing electric power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, a sport suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, a brake actuated limited slip differential, and gas-pressurized rear shocks. Options you can add on include several types of 20-inch wheels, a spare wheel made from steel, and an adaptive suspension.

The xDrive30i comes in your choice of 11 different body paint colors, and you can further customize it with a selection of nine stylish interior hues. On the exterior, luxury shines forth with a wide array of stunning details. Chrome is everywhere, including on the exhaust tip and the grille. You also get front and rear bumper inserts with a metallic look, heated power side mirrors that are automatically dimming and have integrated turn indicators, body-colored door handles, a black rub strip across the front and rear body-colored bumpers, a power liftgate to help you access the cargo area, body side moldings, a rear lip spoiler, and moldings for the wheel wells.

On the inside, creature comforts abound with the lengthy list of convenience features that come as standard equipment. The xDrive30i is given a cruise control that paces the following distance between the X4 and another vehicle, memory for the door mirrors, seatback storage pockets, three 12-volt DC power outlets throughout the cabin, an emergency communication system, power windows with one-touch up/down functionality, a panoramic sunroof, big storage bins on the doors, an air filter, a rear view mirror that is day/night, a HomeLink universal garage door transceiver, a full floor console, an automatic climate control system, a built-in navigation system, and an illuminated vehicle entry. Also, the xDrive30i has two USB ports, a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with multiple control functions mounted onto it, three memory settings for the driver's seat, remote keyless entry, a power sun shade, a valet function, and voice recording capabilities. As options, you can add a remote release function for the cargo area based on your proximity to the vehicle, a heated sport steering wheel, and gesture control.

The luxury does not stop there, though. Just take a look at the seats. The driver seat is 10-ways power-adjustable, as is the front passenger seat. The seats are upholstered in SensaTec leatherette, which is BMW's go-to for luxury upholstery - and for good reason. It looks stunning. There are also floor mats for the front and rear, metallic interior accents, a cushion tilt function for the driver, lighting in the cargo area, a cargo cover, a genuine wood and metallic console insert, tie-downs for cargo, a headliner set fully in cloth, a leather shift knob, a sport steering wheel wrapped in leather, and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench seat. Options that you can choose to include are heated front and rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, lumbar support for the driver and front passenger, a piano black and aluminum console insert, and a beautiful leather-clad dashboard.

Of course, you are probably wondering what kinds of infotainment features BMW has slapped onto the xDrive30i. You will not be disappointed with this long list. There are two first-row LCD monitors that display vehicular and entertainment info. Also, you get a CD player and MP3 decoder, AM/FM radio, a 9-speaker sound system, a one-year SiriusXM Satellite Radio trial subscription, and WiFi hot-spot connectivity. If you crave an even more concert-like sound experience, upgrade to the optional 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, which comes with a premium-grade, 600-watt amplifier.

Don't forget that you can add packages on to maximize your number of features. The xDrive30i can be equipped with the following packages: Wireless Charging, the Driver Assistance Package (which adds active blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning), the Parking Assist Package (which includes a 360-degree surround-view camera system), the Convenience Package (which adds SiriusXM, lumbar support, and comfort access keyless entry), the Dynamic Handling Package, the Premium Package (which nets you a ton of luxury features like heated and ventilated seats), the Driving Assistance Plus Package, and the M Sport Package 2 (which gives you some specific M Sport features).

Now, on to the line-topping M40i trim level. This trim marks multiple significant upgrades from the xDrive30i. First of all, there is the engine. The M40i swaps out the 2.0-L for a much more powerful 3.0-L engine, which has no problem garnering 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. With also being an all-wheel drive, the fuel efficiency does take a slight hit. The M40i gets 23 mpg combined (20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway). Other mechanical features include a quasi-dual stainless steel exhaust, the adaptive M suspension, and 19-inch alloy wheels. There are upgrades available for 20- and 21-inch wheels, on which you can equip either all-season or sticky summer tires.

On the outside, there are not a massive number of differences from the xDrive30i, but there are just enough to let you know that the M40i is sport-oriented. The M40i has a metallic grille and a black tailpipe that help to distinguish it.

The interior takes many of the xDrive30i's standard and optional features and makes them all standard. It also adds a few more optional add-ons. Standard features include an integrated key/remote, pre-wiring for cell phones, a navigation system with voice activation, retained accessory power, aluminum inserts, 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver and front passenger seats, and power reclining for both of the front seats. Standard infotainment features also get beefed up - naturally. There is an audio theft deterrent feature, an automatic equalizer, the 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (a nifty 23-speaker version of it is optional), and a real-time weather display.

Packages that can be added to the M40i trim level are Wireless Charging, Driving Assistance, Driving Assistance Plus, Parking Assistance, Premium, and the Executive Package. The Executive Package gets you gorgeous Vernasca leather upholstery, Active Park Distance Control, and Parking Assistant Plus. Just be prepared to shell out an extra $2,850 for it.

Final Thoughts

For most 2019 BMW X4 drivers, the base xDrive30i trim level should do just fine. Since this is already an expensive vehicle, those who are shopping on a budget will do well to stick to this trim and add a couple of core packages (like Convenience and Premium). The xDrive30i is already pretty fancy, so, really, not a whole lot needs to be done to make it even more upscale for the average driver.

Of course, if you really crave power, the M40i is where it's at. But, for the price, you do not get enough additional standard features over the xDrive30i to justify the purchase. Staying with the xDrive30i is your best bet with the X4; otherwise, if you want something with more cargo space, there are BMWs that offer it for less of a price.

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