Meet the refreshed X3 and the X4. Although they are siblings, the former is in its third generation while the latter’s is second. Both have received a fair amount of freshness for their mid-life update. Yes, their look has been tweaked inside and outside the cabin. BMW has also given them an improved list of features, mild-hybrid tech with all engines and, in Germany at least, xDrive as standard.

The duo feature revised front and rear bumpers, slimmer headlamps, and new wheel designs on the outside. Also, both now boast larger kidney grilles, with the X4’s featuring a satin-draped mesh arrangement. At the back, the taillamps are sleeker too, and the tailpipes are more prominent. Those who want a more aggressive makeover should opt for the M Sport package or their M versions.  Indoors, all derivatives of both the models come with heated sports seats, three-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an equally sized digital instrument cluster as standard. The revised centre console houses the start/stop button, electric parking brake, hill descent control, the gear selector and several other controls.

All engines have been upgraded to feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. As is the case with tech, it aids the internal combustion engine while setting off and helps improve mileage numbers. For the X3 and X4 facelift, the tech offers an additional 11bhp. The powerplants come coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard. The duo’s M derivatives, which now pack more power, feature the sportier version of the same gearbox.

BMW will commence production of the refreshed X3 and X4 in August this year. Later the same month, the siblings will make their world premiere at the Chengdu Motor Show in China. As for the European premiere, that’ll happen in September at the IAA in Munich. After going on sale in international markets, the refreshed models will eventually arrive in India too. And when they do, which is likely to happen in the first half of 2022, expect them to carry the same engine-transmission combinations as they do now.