BMW X2 Review 2024

BMW reckons the new X2 will appeal to anyone for whom the last model wasn’t quite different enough from the X1 to justify a slight drop in practicality. If that sounds like you, then the new X2 may just hit the spot. It’s more radically styled this time around too, which should help the X2 stand out against the competition more than its predecessor.

We’ve so far only tried the X2 M35i of the two petrol models, and while it’s unlikely to end up being the sensible choice suitable for the largest number of potential buyers, the M35i’s strong performance does suit the deliberately more sporty look of the X2 compared to the X1.

If you can afford the extra outlay, can live with the range and have somewhere to charge it, it may be worth looking at the M35i’s electric equivalent though, the iX2 xDrive30. Performance is very similar, it’s a smoother and quieter drive, and should cost less to run than either petrol model.

The Audi Q3 Sportback is probably most likely to sway BMW X2 buyers away from their potential purchase, being a similar size and a little cheaper to buy, though Audi doesn’t offer a model with equivalent performance to the M35i. One manufacturer that does is Cupra, and the Cupra Formentor, while perhaps not having the BMW’s image, is one of the best looking and best to drive in this segment – the range-topping 4Drive 310 models are quicker than the M35i and it’s more agile and fun to drive too.

Another BMW highlight. Long-term durability and reliability will have to wait, but on first contact the X2 feels like a quality product. Everything you’re likely to regularly grab or prod is sturdy and nicely-trimmed, and there are no squeaks or rattles on the move. BMW is incorporating more vegan-friendly materials in its cars and you’d be hard-pressed to tell them from the real deal – we’re now more than familiar with Alcantara but the car’s Veganza leather surfaces are just as soft as the cow-based stuff, and synthetic leather in cars has historically been fairly long-lasting.

BMW is now on its ninth generation operating system for its in-car infotainment, and the X2 is the latest model to incorporate the new tech. The previous generation was hardly creaky and slow but a few minutes scrolling through menus and poking the touchscreen reveals this one to be pretty quick and easy to use, at least when you’re at a standstill.

When you’re driving it does become a little trickier, particularly as heating and ventilation functions have now made their way onto the screen; there are no physical buttons for it any more, save for the front and rear defrosters. Luckily, you also get buttons on the steering wheel to skip music tracks and adjust the volume.

We’re not keen on the overly high-tech graphics of the instrument panel in front of you, which simply aren’t as clear as BMW’s traditional round dials of the past. But it hardly matters in cars with the head-up display, which is clear and presents most of the important information just below your eyeline anyway.

There are USB-C ports for connecting and charging devices, and an upright wireless charging pad ahead of the centre console, with a little bar to hold your phone in place, as if it’s riding a rollercoaster.

Coupe-style SUVs like the X2 are often seen as an impractical choice alongside their more conventionally-shaped counterparts, but if that’s true for the X2 when it comes to rear passenger room, it’s not the case with the boot. In fact, because it’s a touch longer than the X1 (and a significant 194mm longer than the old X2), it’s actually got the most luggage space of the bunch: 560 litres, 20 litres more than that of the X1.

A 40/20/40 split for the rear seats allows you to carry different load shapes and sizes alongside passengers too, and folding the rear row flat opens up 1470 litres of space. Petrol models are more practical than their electric counterparts, incidentally, with some space under the flat boot floor not available in the EV, so the iX2’s seats-up area is 35 litres smaller. Other cabin storage areas include some slightly inconveniently shaped door bins, a glovebox, some centre console storage under the armrest, a pair of cupholders ahead of the armrest, and a phone charging pad ahead of that.

While a diesel version will be offered elsewhere, the X2 will come to the UK in only petrol and pure electric forms, the latter badged iX2, which we’ve reviewed separately. The two petrol options are a front-wheel drive sDrive20i and an all-wheel drive X2 M35i, the former based around a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder, and the latter using a 2-litre four-cylinder turbo like you’ll find in a BMW M135i.

Both are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the sDrive20i getting a 48-volt mild hybrid setup. The result is 170PS (156PS from the engine, 19PS from the motor, and some fudging to account for different outputs at different points).

The X2 M35i is the performance model in the range, making a nice round 300PS and delivering 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, actually a little quicker than the similarly-powerful all-electric iX2 xDrive30, though predictably they feel pretty even on the road.

The M35i makes up in lower weight and greater range from its gears what it lacks to the EV in instant go, though it still doesn’t quite have the pep of similarly powerful and even lighter hot hatches. Gearchanges are quicker up the ‘box than they are when you ask for downshifts from the paddles, but even left in auto the gearbox is intelligent enough to pick mostly the right gear at mostly the right time, and it’s always smooth swapping cogs even in the sportier driving modes.

BMW still hasn’t extracted anything approaching a pleasant engine note from its 2-litre engine. Accelerate hard and a kind of nasal and slightly harsh drone permeates the cabin, and but for a few burbles when lifting off the throttle, we actually prefer the electronically generated noises of the iX2.

Back off and cruise though and as the gearbox shuffles into higher ratios, the noise settles down and the engine becomes commendably smooth and hushed. In fact, at higher speeds it’s not notably louder than the iX2, with the same levels of wind and tyre noise and just a distant hum letting you know it’s an engine rather than electric motors moving you along.

Euro NCAP hasn’t yet sent an X2 into one of its deformable barriers, so the car doesn’t have an official crash safety rating. But it’s closely related to the five-star X1, so we’d be surprised if the X2 doesn’t achieve similar scores across the board.

It’s packed with various electronic safety features too. Standard equipment includes forward collision warning, cruise control with braking, speed limit and lane departure warnings, and a parking assistant, while optional features include everything from active cruise control with stop and go, to drive recorder and theft recorder systems.

As the X2 is brand new it’s too early to say what it’ll be like for reliability long term, though it’s likely to share the same benefits and drawbacks as the mechanically similar BMW X1. In general, BMW’s reliability and customer satisfaction ratings tend to be mid-table in customer surveys, and some of the X2’s new infotainment features and electrical functions will be worth keeping an eye on for any teething issues.

BMW hasn’t confirmed UK insurance ratings for the X2 yet, but given the two petrol models are similar in performance and specification to those of the related X1, we’d expect just a small increase for the sportier X2, with insurance between around groups 26 and 35.

The most efficient X2, the sDrive20i with the 1.5-litre petrol turbo, dips down to 136g/km of CO2 at its lowest point, which currently corresponds to a first-year tax bill of £255 when registering the car. This then rises to £570 for the five years that follow, thanks to a starting price of over £40,000. The X2 M35i meanwhile starts at 174g/km, for a £1040 first-year bill, before dropping to the same £570 per year in the second to sixth years of registration.

The X2 sDrive20i M Sport, the only trim level available, comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior details and a matching rear spoiler, an automatic tailgate, ambient lighting, automatic air conditioning, M Alcantara and Veganza upholstery, an M leather steering wheel, heated sports seats, auto lights and wipers, cruise control, a curved driver display and infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, wireless phone charging, and M adaptive suspension.

Move up to the X2 M35i and you get 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, the ‘iconic glow’ BMW kidney grille, Harman Kardon audio, and M Sport brakes, along with all the equipment available on the M Sport.