DecodedCars2018 BMW X4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- M40i 4dr SUV, Xdrive28i 4dr SUV, Xdrive35i 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 183.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,129–4,259 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints11 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 36 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 BMW X4 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,235 lb (M40i 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 1% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 X4 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 X4 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M40i 4dr SUV | 183.9 in | 74 in | 63.8 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,235 lb | 51/49 |
| Xdrive28i 4dr SUV | 183.9 in | 74 in | 63.8 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,129 lb | 49/51 |
| Xdrive35i 4dr SUV | 183.9 in | 74 in | 63.8 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,259 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4 xDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -1% | $3,550 | 384 |
| X4 M40i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -9% | $3,900 | 429 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 BMW X4.
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X4 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Porsche Cayenne | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 BMW X3 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Porsche Macan | 22 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles · Aug 13, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2018 BMW X4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 BMW X4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 BMW X4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 X4 | 24 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2024 X4 | 24 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 X4 | 24 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 8 |
| 2022 X4 | 24 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 4 |
| 2021 X4 | 25 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 7 | 6 |
| 2020 X4 | 25 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 10 | 15 |
| 2019 X4 | 25 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 7 | 11 |
| 2017 X4 | 23 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2016 X4 | 23 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 X4 | 23 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 18 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →