Review - BMW X2

For those looking for a premium compact SUV, the BMW X2 looks to be a great option on paper, but it does face some fierce competition in the form of the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40 and the Jaguar E-Pace. 

Just how good is the latest BMW X2, then, and how does it stack up against its competitors? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $49,000

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BMW X2 (M MESH EDITION) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check BMW X2 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The BMW X2 range kicks off from $49,990 for the entry-level X2 sDrive18i, while the X2 sDrive20i is priced at $60,900. 

Stepping up to the X2 M35i Pure comes at a cost of $68,900, while the range-topping X2 M35i is priced at $73,900. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the BMW X2 Have?

BMW’s entry-level X2 sDrive18i comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys, and receives LED headlights, a powered boot lift, a heads-up display, semi-autonomous parking, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, chrome exhaust tips, leatherette upholstery, a 5.7-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system fitted with DAB+ radio, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Stepping up to the sDrive20i adds a set of heated front seats, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport seats, M sport suspension and an M Sport styling package. 

The M35i Pure comes riding on 20-inch alloys and receives an M Sport front limited-slip differential, sports steering, M sport seats, upgraded brakes with blue brake calipers and some special inteior and exterior highlights. 

Finally, the range-topping M35i is packaged with Matrix LED headlights, Dakota leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and an upgraded 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system.  

Range Features: 

• 19-inch alloys 

• LED headlights 

• Powered boot lift 

• Heads-up display 

• Semi-autonomous parking 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors 

• Chrome exhaust tips

•  Leatherette upholstery 

• 5.7-inch digital driver’s display 

• 10.25-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Heated front sport seats (sDrive20i)

• M sport suspension (sDrive20i)

• M Sport styling package (sDrive20i)

• 20-inch alloys (M35i Pure)

• M Sport limited-slip differential (M35i Pure)

• M Sport seats (M35i Pure)

• Upgraded brakes with blue calipers (M35i Pure)

• Matrix LED headlights (M35i)

• Dakota leather upholstery (M35i)

•  Panoramic sunroof (M35i)

• 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system (M35i)

BMW X2 Colours

The BMW X2 is available in a choice of Alpine White, Black, Sunset Orange, Misano Blue, Mineral White, Black Sapphire, Mediterranean Blue, Sparkling Storm, Galvanic Gold and Mineral Grey. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The BMW X2 shares its underpinnings with the X1, which has been widely received as a comfortable and fun little commuter to drive around town. 

While the X2 has gained some size over the X1, it remains an engaging car to drive on the road when pushed, and is supremely smooth on city streets as a comfortable commuter. 

Power is supplied by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder producing 103kW and 220Nm of torque in the base model, which increases to 141kW and 280Nm of torque in the sDrive20i. These two engines are particularly smooth to drive and provide you with more than enough power to get up to speed briskly, putting power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic that provides silky-smooth shifts. 

For those looking for a genuine performance machine, the X2 M35i are an absolute pleasure to drive thanks to their powerful 225kW/450Nm outputs, throwing power to all four wheels for added stability at speed. 

Regardless of which variant you’re opting for, though, the X2 platform performs extremely well on a daily drive around town, thanks to its lightweight steering rack that makes low speed turns and parking a simple task, while providing the driver with added feedback through the wheel as you pick up speed. 

In terms of ride quality, the entry-level models are more suited to smooth city streets, although they’ve got enough support to help iron out bumps on country roads. Moving higher into the range adds M Sport suspension which is great in terms of handling, but makes the ride quality significantly more stiff, which is something to be aware of if you’re planning on commuting regularly. 

All up, though, the X2 is a fabulous little car to drive around town, and remains comfortable and stable at highway speeds for effortless touring. The X2’s platform remains nimble when driving around town, and makes for a user-friendly and smooth package. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Sharing its underpinnings with the X1 means that the X2 is somewhat limited when it comes to family-friendly practicality, although it does its best with the platform it’s using. 

Up front, the cabin is compact, but not cramped for the driver and front passenger, with a heap of width in the cabin allowing you to find a comfortable driving position, while there’s enough headroom for taller drivers to avoid feeling cramped. 

The cabin is sleek and modern, and while the entry-level variants don’t gain much in the way of excitement up front inside the X2, the dash is user-friendly and attractive. The dash houses a significantly larger 10.25-inch infotainment display than the previous model, which is a nice touch. 

Practical elements in the front of the cabin include an extra large set of door bins for storing waterbottles, while there’s a two-tiered armrest with storage inside, and a small tray behind the gear lever for storing loose items. While it might be small, the X2 is filled with practical touches that add to the family-friendly nature of this compact SUV platform. 

Moving to the rear of the cabin, you’ll find a comfortable benchseat that is able to slide back and forth, as well as reclining feature for rear passengers to get extra comfortable on longer jourenys. That reclining feature is actually quite useful, considering the fact that headroom can be quite cramped for tall rear passengers, although kids won’t have a problem back here, and there’s acres of legroom to help get comfortable. 

The rear seats feature a pair of ISOFIX anchors on either side of the cabin, as well as three top tether points for rear-facing child seats, making for a surprisingly family-friendly cabin in the rear of the X2. 

Finally, the X2 has a boot rated at 470L, which is pretty substantial for a vehicle in this segment, and adds to the overall versatility of the package as a genuine compact family crossover SUV. 

Is it Safe? 

The BMW X2 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 90% for adult protection, 87% for child protection, 74% for pedestrian protection and 70% for its active safety technologies. 

As standard, the entry-level X2 comes fitted with a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking with collision warnings, lane-departure warnings and traffic sign recognition, meaning that it comes well-equipped with safety features, although it does lack rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitoring that you might find in its key rivals. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy in the X2 range depends on which engine you’re opting for, with the more performance-focussed engines atop the lineup consuming far more fuel than the entry-level powertrain. 

The base sDrive18i is officially rated at 6.3L/100km, while the sDrive20i is the most fuel-efficient of the bunch with its 6.0L/100km combined cycle. Upgrading to the range-topping M35i brings fuel economy up to 7.4L/100km on a combined cycle, which isn’t terrible when you consider just how much power is available. 

Our Verdict: Is the BMW X2 Worth it?

As a complete package, the BMW X2 is a remarkably smooth and refined compact SUV filled with practical elements that does indeed make it a sensible option for young families looking for a premium compact offering. 

We question the need to upgrade to the fire-breathing M35i variants, however, if you’re looking for a family-friendly car with two distinctly different personalities, the range-toppers are attractive options. 

For the rest of buyers, sticking with the base sDrive18i or even stepping up to the sDrive20i look to the best options on paper, receiving generous features lists while retaining all the important hardware that makes the X2 a pleasure to drive. If you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

3. Front-wheel drive as standard; all-wheel drive in M35i

4. Three engine options available 

5. 470L boot space

Pros 

• Smooth engine and transmission combination 

• Immense performance in the M35i 

• Large boot capacity

• Sleek, modern and premium interior design 

Cons

• Three-year ownership program 

• Limited headroom in the rear of cabin for tall passengers 

• Some safety equipment missing as standard 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

BMW X2 Competition