SEXING up SUVs has become something of a BMW speciality.

First was the X6, a different take on the X5 which was the Bavarian brand's first 4x4.

Now comes the X4, smaller yet similar in design and based on the X3 which itself has just been given a new look.

Priced from £35,590 for a 2.0-litre diesel the X4 is £1,500 more than a similarly powered X3 and it's aimed at those who want to get noticed.

With a pronounced front incorporating four large air scoops, pronounced wheel arches and a sharply sloping roof line running into a chunky rear the X4 makes a mark in no uncertain terms.

It's slightly longer than the X3 and there's a fraction less headroom in the rear but it is still a comfortable four seater - five at a pinch and that's down to the rear seat armrest and bolster.

The coupe-like body style also reduces boot space but at 500 litres it is still plentiful for a family's needs. Fold the rear seats - which split on a 40-20-40 basis - and maximum capacity is 1,400 litres, 200 less than then X3.

BMW classifies it as a sports activity coupe and with automatic four wheel drive the X4 has plenty of ability.

Hill descent control is standard and there's a good amount of ground clearance but most will never venture off road.

The line up features three engines, all diesels with more expensive versions using 3.0-litre six cylinder engines developing either 258 or 313bhp.

We tried out an X4 in M Sport trim and powered by the mid-powered 30d engine which costs from £45,453.

With extras including 20-inch alloys, a very useful head up display and BMW's upgraded media and sat nav plus a surround view camera system the car actually tipped the scales at £55,248 putting it in the same league as a top end Range Rover Evoque and the new Porsche Macan.

On the road there are no complaints. The engine does the job admirably and with the benefit of multi-mode drive settings the X4 can be configured for sporty work or absolute economy.

An eight speed auto box - with paddle shifters - is standard and for a car of such proportions there ride is accomplished with little roll through corners.

It is also frugal. We managed to average 39 to the gallon while BMW claims an official figure of 47.9mpg with emissions of 156g/km and that's with an athletic 0 to 60 time of 5.8 seconds.

Inside, the X4 feels roomier than its counterparts and while the layout of the dash is the same as on the X3 features such as the automatic activation of the parking brake and the quality of the on-screen graphics and camera images were impressive.

So was the head up display which delivers speed limit information, the vehicle's speed and sat nav information - well worth its £895 option cost.

BMW now has five sport activity X vehicles in its line up and of those it's the ones with the even numbers which are the most adventurous in terms of design.

An X2 version of the X1 is on the cards but for the time being the more compact proportions of the X4 which will be tasked with making a mark among those who want some style with substance on four wheels.