BMW X4 vs. BMW X6: which is better?

SUVs have grown in popularity considerably over the past decade and have gone from being practical off-roaders to more luxurious family cars.

Carrying on this style, coupé-SUVs add a sloping rear roofline to the blend to add a sense of sportiness, and the BMW X6 was among the first to pull this off.

Now, BMW has a pair of coupé-SUVs to choose from, including the smaller BMW X4. While they may look very similar, there are some important differences to consider before buying one.

Does the BMW X4 or BMW X6 have more style?

Both of these models are based on more conventional SUVs – the X3 in the case of the X4, and the X5 for the X6 – but because they’re designed to be more fashionable, they’re only available in higher trim levels.

This includes the popular M Sport trim, which adds visual appeal to BMW’s models thanks to some tweaked exterior styling.

Because both cars look so similar, we would say that they’re just as stylish as each other, but the X6 is considerably bigger, which gives it a more dominating road presence.

Is the BMW X6 or BMW X4 better to drive?

For regular, day-to-day driving, the BMW X4 is much more agile and easy to live with just because of its size. This helps it to be quicker than the X6 (like-for-like) and more economical.

Both models come with four-wheel drive, so they’re grippy when conditions become less than favourable, but the X6 is more capable off-road – not that taking one of these off-road is the first thing that comes to mind.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph, there are M40i and M40d versions of the X4 with 360hp and 340hp respectively, making them both good for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds.

Like those, the X4 M uses a 3.0-litre engine, but with 510hp it can get to 62mph in a mind-boggling 3.8 seconds.

The larger X6 M has to use BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 because it’s such a heavy vehicle (at around 400kg more than the X4), but it can still get to 62mph in 4.3 seconds in the case of the M60i. The X6 M is just 0.1 seconds slower than the much lighter X4 M thanks to a 625hp V8.

BMW X4 vs. X6 interior

The interior of these cars is another element that sets them apart. Buy them new, and more than £20,000 separates the base models, so you’d expect the X6 to have a much plusher interior.

The first generation of the X4 was released in 2014, with a second-generation model following just four years later.

Buy a 2018-onwards model for the best in-car tech, high-quality materials, and a generally better feel.

Early X6 models from 2008 were great in their time, but they’re starting to show their age now.

Look for second-generation models built from 2015 for a significant improvement, though don’t worry too much about third-generation 2020-onwards models, which, despite looking more up-to-date, are a lot more expensive.

X6 vs. X4: which is biggest when it comes to boot space?

Between the two, the larger X6 is the best SUV for boot space. However, when it comes to capacity, the difference is actually less drastic than you might think.

In the case of the latest-generation models, the X4 has 525 litres of space compared with the X6’s 580 litres. Previous-generation models have 500- and 580-litre boots respectively.

By comparison, the X3 has 25 litres more space than the X4, and the X5 offers 70 litres of additional storage.

Mercedes also has its own SUV-based coupés: the X4-sized GLC Coupé, which has a 545-litre boot, and the X6-sized GLE Coupé, which has a 655-litre boot.

If you’re after the last word in boot storage, then you’ll be better off finding a more conventionally-shaped SUV, but neither the X4 nor the X6 stands out as having particularly small spaces.

Is the BMW X4 or BMW X6 more reliable?

BMW as a brand performs admirably in reliability tests and customer satisfaction reports, often ranking higher than Mercedes, which is a key rival not just for the company, but for the X4 and X6 models in particular.

In short, the X4 and X6 are undoubtedly two reliable BMW SUV options. Both models have varying reports of average and great reliability, so there should be no cause for concern, but expect the X6 to present higher bills when it comes to running costs and replacing certain parts.

BMW X4 vs. BMW X6 dimensions

Both cars offer a very similar experience, but their dimensions are a key factor that sets them apart.

The X4 measures 4,751mm long, 1,918mm wide and 1,621mm high, which makes it 4.8cm longer and 2.7cm wider than the X3 on which it’s based. The X3 is 5.5cm taller than the X4, though.

The X6 is much larger. At 4,960mm long, it’s almost as long as a Range Rover. It’s wide too, at 2,004mm, but its 1,700mm height is less of an issue.

Sportier versions of both cars – and in particular the M Competition models – are notably wider thanks to their sportier styling, which makes a difference in tight parking spaces where these cars already feel quite large.

BMW X6 vs. BMW X4: which should you buy?

The X6 was one of the first mainstream coupé-SUVs from any manufacturer, which means that it has built itself a strong identity and is a popular choice for this type of car.

In reality, we think the X4 is a much more appealing option – it’s cheaper to buy and run, it’s smaller and easier to drive, but it’s almost as practical and just as stylish as the X6.