▷BMW X3 and X4, the restyling becomes hybrid: new look and all electrified engines 🥇

As in the most classic of BMW tradition, after 4 years it is time for the restyling for BMW X3 and X4. In the world of the Bavarian house, in fact, the 4 years are the time to make changes, updates and improvements to their models, and the same happens for the two medium-sized SUVs of the Elica. B.MW X3 2021 and X4 2021 show off a more muscular aesthetic, more refined and technological interiors and exclusively electrified engines, apart of course the sporty M versions. So let's find out all that is new about the X3 and X4.

BMW X3 2021, aesthetics: new “lightsaber” headlights and other sharper details

Born in 2003, BMW X3 was one of the most successful models of the Monaco house of the last 20 years. Thanks to its generous but not gigantic dimensions like the older brother X5, which inspired it, since its launch it has proved to be one of the most successful SUVs (indeed, of the SAVs, Sports Activity Vehicles as BMW defines them) of the Bavarian company.

BMW X3 and X4, the restyling becomes hybrid: new look and all electrified engines

Now in the third generation, the G01, in 2017, after 4 years it is time for a restyling for both the classic X3 and the SAC, or SUV Coupé for those who do not speak BMWese, X4. The changes proposed by Monaco aim to offer amore modern and sharper aesthetics, while at the same time differentiating the two souls of X3 and X4. BMW X3 2021 becomes more elegant, more mature and more rugged, as we will see shortly, leaving the sporty soul to X4.

So let's start right from X3, which is the model of the two that has undergone the most changes. Several differences can be noted already by analyzing the front. Here the double kidney grille, as is now the tradition of the House, it is larger and more massive, and is now made up of a single piece. In the center, it houses the front camera for parking assistance and driver assistance systems. The bumper and hood are also sharper, more modern, and the headlights have been totally redesigned, with a much thinner cut and a new LED light signature, taken from the latest BMWs as the 4 Series. Together with the redesign, the headlights are now Full LED as standard, and can have Laser technology on request.

Moving your gaze, you can see how both the lower part of the front and the side make their appearance psteel underbody rails, like a real SUV. These were present even before, but they were only equipped on the X Line models, with a more offroad look. Now the “SUV” cut is common to all X3, giving the car a tougher but at the same time more elegant look. Moving behind us, then, we notice the again presence of underbody protections, but above all of new and totally redesigned full LED headlights. From the classic and linear design of the previous ones, now the BMW X3 2021 sports a very particular signature. Looking at her, reminds me a bit of a lightsaber from Star Wars: certainly, it gives a lot of character and uniqueness to X3.

And how does the BMW X4 change from the outside? Few details for her too

If BMW X3 2021 with moldings and underbody protection becomes more elegant and suvveggiante, BMW X4 incorporates several modifications from its “practical” sister, but with an extra sporty touch. The front of the BMW X4 2021 sports the same sharp headlights, the same increased double kidney and the same increased aggressiveness of the lines, but the bumper abandons the X3's underbody protectors.

Now, both front and side the X4 sports one really sporty lower part, with very aggressive side skirts and a lot of nastiness, almost like an M or MSport version. The rear, on the other hand, continues to divide: the sloping coupe roof is either loved or hated, while the rear light clusters, also LED, do not have the "lightsaber" shape of X3, e they lose the angularity and complexity of the previous version that had not convinced many buyers. The headlights are now cleaner, smoother and better harmonized with the text of the lines.

Finally, the rear bumper is particular, equipped with a glossy black finish with a very particular shape, which enlivens the rear view and makes the car much more personal and recognizable. Ultimately, therefore, the BMW X4 2021 also enjoys a renewed aesthetic modernity, much sharper and in step with the times. Both the X3 and the X4 have managed to renew the lines well, offering customers a really successful look: very good. But is it the best looking midsize premium SUV on the market? As always, the judgment is subjective: let us know below in the comments!

Inside comes for BMW X3 2021 and X4 new technology and lines of the 4 Series

If outside has been improved a lot, the biggest news comes inside and under the hood. Let's start from the cockpit of BMW X3 2021 and X4. Until a few weeks ago both cars sported an “old” generation interior, with the proven iDrive of the previous life cycle and in general without the latest solutions from the House of Monaco.

This had caused them to lose ground to some direct rivals, all recently reworked and revised to offer the latest technology available in their range. And, of course, BMW couldn't be outdone. BMW X3 and X4 2021 are in fact equipped with a completely redesigned dashboard, and taken almost entirely from the current BMW 4 Series, that is the latest thermal product presented by Elica. We have therefore the digital instrument panel is standard, which can even reach 12,3 inches on demand. Always standard is guaranteed for all the 10,25-inch central infotainment screen. Here too it is available as optional 12,3-inch screen, And the operating system is new iDrive 7. Faster, more complete and more efficient, it also brings OTA updates to X3 and X4.

Thanks to the relationship with the 4 Series, the interior is much more sporty and modern than before, with some extra touches like the specific logo in front of the cup holder or the power button next to the gear lever. However, the space available for passengers and luggage remains unchanged. Excellent in the front for both, good in the back for X3, while X4 forgoes a bit of roominess in the name of style. THE I bootedfinally, they measure 550 liters for the X3 (450 for the plug-in hybrid) e 525 liters for the X4.

The engine range of BMW X3 2021 and X4: all engines are now electrified

We mentioned the plug-in hybrid version not by chance. The other big news of the X3 and X4 2021 range is precisely the presence in the price list of exclusively electrified engines. The entire range is in fact equipped with mild hybrid engines or, in the case of the xDrive 40e, a plug-in hybrid system. Going with order, both BMW X3 2021 and X4 2021 offer three petrol engines and three diesel engines. They are all equipped as standard with xDrive all-wheel drive and all equipped with the 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Let's start with petrol: the range opens with X3 e X4 xDrive 20i, equipped with a 2.0 hp 4 liter 48-cylinder B184 turbocharged petrol engine, and then moved on to the xDrive 30i, equipped with the same engine but with 245 HP of power. At the top of the range is the version M40i, the last step before the extreme X3 M and X4 M. The engine is the 3.0 B58 in-line six-cylinder turbocharged 360 hp, also equipped with a modulo mild hybrid a 48 volt. This technology, which guarantees a "boost" of 11 HP and also powers the on-board accessories, makes its debut on the BMW Group gasoline engines, having successfully debuted on turbodiesels in 2020.

And just with the turbo diesel we continue, knowing the diesel offer of BMW X3 2021 and X4. The diesel range starts with the legendary 2.0 biturbodiesel 4-cylinder 190 HP B47 engine from xDrive 20d, a milestone in the BMW range for several years. It then continues with the xDrive 30d, equipped with the 3.0 B6 in-line 57-cylinder biturbodiesel with 286 hp. The same engine is then declined in an even sportier version, the M40d, which reaches 340 hp and 700 Nm of torque.

The seventh and last version in the range is the xDrive 30th, the plug-in hybrid only available on the SAV X3. The system is the classic eDrive plug-in that we have already seen on the BMW range, 3 Series and 5 Series in the first place. The heat engine is the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder 184 HP turbocharged petrol engine from the 20i, aided by a 113 HP electric motor. The overall power of the system is 292 hp, with 40 hp of extra boost deliverable when you ask everything from your X3, while the 11,2 kWh battery allows you to travel up to 50 km in zero emissions mode.

The X3 M and X4 M: always 510 HP, always a lot of nastiness

To conclude, we cannot fail to mention the exciting ones BMW X3 M e X4 M Competition. As it already happened on the previous version, in fact, it is only the Competition version available on the price list, more powerful and extreme, of the two Bavarian SUVs, and luckily from a mechanical point of view there have been few changes. Already at the launch of these unprecedented, first M versions of the company's medium SUV, in fact, the engine it was already the new S58 3.0 biturbo 6 cylinders in line, which we are now also enjoying on M3 and M4.

On a mechanical level, therefore, there have been few or no changes. Both X3 M and X4 M sport 510 hp and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with all-wheel drive M xDrive. This system allows you to have the traction and stability of an all-wheel drive, without sacrificing the character and “easy oversteer” of a classic rear-wheel drive. 21-inch wheels and a new sports exhaust complete the M Compound brake package. Then there is another novelty: from the previous 600 Nm, the 3.0 now offers 50 Nm more, reaching 650. Le performance? Crazy: 0-100 km / h in 3,8 seconds (three tenths less than before), and 250 km / h top speed (or 285, by purchasing the M Driver's Package.

Finally, on an aesthetic level BMW X3 M 2021 and X4 M 2021 also resume the technologies and modifications introduced on the "normal" X3 and X4. We therefore have much thinner and sharper headlights at the front, the “single” double kidney at the front and sportier bumpers, which on the X3 abandon off-road protections to show off spoilers, splitters and side skirts. Inside, too, there are many changes, with the dashboard taken from M3 and M4. This also includes the central control panel with the red power button, the rocker for driving modes and the two M Mode buttons on the steering wheel.

When will we see BMW X3 2021 and X4 on the market? What about the prices?

We have told you everything about this BMW X3 and X4: only the price and the market debut are missing. The Italian price list has not yet been formalized, while we have a date for the start of marketing. The lists of X3 and X4 will in fact open in September, coinciding with the car's European debut at the IAA in Munich.

The two medium SUVs from BMW, X3 and X4, are therefore renewed, welcoming new technology, a reworked aesthetic and fully electrified engines. Both aim to regain first place among the preferences of premium SUVs, and to beat their direct rivals. In our opinion, the changes made were well targeted, complete and perfect to aim to return to the top of the ranking of the SUVs cured. And you? What do you think? Are you convinced by these new BMW X3 and X4? Let us know in the comments below.