BMW X4 SUV - Reliability & safety

BMW has always enjoyed a desirable reputation, but this is built more on the brand's association with sporty driving manners, healthy residual values and an aspirational image than an especially keen owner satisfaction record. Owners aren't all delighted by the way their dealers perform, even if most are satisfied by the cars themselves. BMW safety, though, is beyond dispute, and every model has a long list of standard safety equipment.

BMW X4 reliability

Out of 29 brands surveyed in our 2020 Driver Power survey BMW stands in 21st place overall – a few places up on 2020 and ahead of Audi but behind rivals Jaguar and Lexus. One reason for owner dissatisfaction is that nearly 20% reported at least one issue with their car during the first year of ownership. 

Infotainment and connectivity were praised, as was acceleration. The BMW X3 finished in an underwhelming 61st position in our list of the top 75 cars on sale, with poor scores for reliability and value-for-money.

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Safety

The X4's mechanical twin, the BMW X3, was awarded the full five stars after independent crash-testing by the experts Euro NCAP, and the same rating is expected to apply to the X4, too. An adult occupant protection score of 93% was given, with an 84% rating for child protection.

Crash avoidance is helped by standard autonomous emergency braking, which can be extended to incorporate an active cruise-control system that'll match the speed of the car in front, even in stop-start traffic. Lane-keeping assistance is available; this makes gentle steering inputs to maintain your lane position, while there are also systems available to warn of traffic crossing ahead.