2022 BMW X3 And X4 Debut With Updated Looks And Performance

The BMW X3 and X4 are some of the German luxury automaker’s most popular models, and it’s indeed a perfect time to give these two compact luxury SUVs a mid-cycle refresh or Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) in BMW speak. Even the high-performance X3 M and X4 M weren’t spared from the range of updates for the 2022 model year.

BMW’s obsession with enlarging its iconic kidney grilles have also made their way into the X3 and X4. Fortunately, these haven’t grown into lungs for this model year, and let’s hope it doesn’t escalate to that point. Nevertheless, the revised grille is framed by a satin chrome or gloss black finish, depending on the variant. Flanking it are a pair of slimmer LED headlights or optional adaptive LED units with laser light high beams. The side profile largely remains the same as before, though there’s a new set of alloy wheel designs. At the rear, the LED taillights look fussier now. Instead of the brand’s traditional L-shaped units, BMW now calls these “pincer claw contour” taillights. Lastly, there’s also a new rear bumper design for both models and new paint finishes.

Interior changes for the BMW X3 and X4 are more restrained. BMW’s iDrive 7 infotainment system now comes as standard with a 10.25-inch screen or an optional 12.3-inch screen when opting for the optional (standard on the X4, X3 M, and X4 M) Live Cockpit Professional fully-digital gauge cluster, which is also at 12.3-inches. There are also new AC controls that were adopted from BMW’s current models such as the 3 Series, X5, 1 Series, just to name a few. Interior trim choices have also been improved.

For the 2022 model year, all BMW X3 and X4 engine choices (except for the X3 M and X4 M) now feature electrification technologies. The three gasoline and three diesel engines on offer work in conjunction with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter generator (ISG). There’s also a plug-in hybrid powertrain called the xDrive30e, which combines a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo gasoline engine and an electric motor that has a combined output of 292 hp and 420 Nm of torque, enough for a 0-100 kph sprint in just 6.1 seconds.

The most likely engine choice to be offered in the Philippines for the X3 and X4 is the xDrive20d, which produces 190 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The 48-volt ISG, on the other hand, produces an additional 11 hp. This is then mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. With this engine choice, 0-100 kph happens in just 7.9 seconds.

Also included in the facelift are the BMW X3 M and X4 M. As expected, these models feature more aggressive styling inside and out. The headline change for this year though is the improved power figures. Yes, it still uses the same S58 twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 gasoline engine as before, but it now has a 3D-printed cylinder head core and a forged lightweight crankshaft straight from the all-new M3 and M4.

As a result, torque has been improved by 18 Nm for the standard models and 50 Nm for the Competition models. The standard models now produce 473 hp and 620 Nm while the Competition variants now produce 503 hp and 650 Nm.

Power is sent to a rear-biased M xDrive AWD system via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to the improved torque figures, 0-100 kph acceleration times have also improved from 4.1 to 3.9 seconds for the standard models and 4.0 to 3.7 seconds for the Competition models. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 kph, though opting for the M Driver’s Package increases the speed limit to 285 kph.

The new 2022 BMW X3 and X4 are expected to go on sale in global markets in Q3 2021, while a Philippine market launch could possibly happen in early- to mid-2023.