BMW X2 Review

The latest BMW X2 is a much more substantial car than the one it replaces. It looks lower and sleeker than the X1, but it’s also longer, roomier and more convincing as a standalone model rather than just an X1 in a tighter outfit. That matters because the old X2 always felt like a niche spin-off. This one feels more like a proper member of BMW’s small SUV line-up.

In the UK petrol range, BMW keeps things simple. The regular model is the front-wheel drive X2 sDrive20i M Sport, using a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, 170PS and a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds. Above that sits the X2 M35i xDrive, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 300PS, all-wheel drive and a much punchier 5.4-second 0-62mph claim. Both use a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

That split gives the X2 a broader appeal than you might expect. The sDrive20i is the sensible choice and should be more than quick enough for most buyers. The M35i is for those who want the look of a coupe-SUV backed up by properly strong performance. That version backs up the sportier styling with a secure, confident and brisk driving experience, even if it isn’t the last word in driver involvement.

The interior is one of the X2’s stronger suits. The design is clean, the curved display gives it a modern feel, and the material quality is up to the standard you’d expect at this price. BMW’s latest Operating System 9 is quick enough, but it also asks too much of the touchscreen for simple tasks such as temperature adjustment. That’s a common modern complaint rather than a BMW-only issue, but it’s still worth flagging.

Practicality is better than the roofline suggests. The sDrive20i gets a 560-litre boot and 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded, while the M35i gives up some luggage room and drops to 525 litres with the rear seats in place. That still compares well with many style-led rivals.

For most buyers, that’s the BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport. It’s the cheaper car to buy, the more economical one to run and, on paper at least, it still gives you enough performance for everyday family use with 170PS and 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds. Official fuel economy of 48.7mpg also makes it far easier to justify than the M35i if this is going to be your only car.

It also helps that BMW doesn’t make the regular X2 feel basic. M Sport trim is the standard specification for the sDrive20i in the UK, so you’re not choosing between a dull fleet version and the nice one. It comes with 19-inch alloys, heated sports seats, a curved driver display and infotainment screen, wireless phone charging and adaptive suspension, which is enough to make it feel properly premium without pushing you into the much pricier M35i.

The M35i xDrive only really makes sense if you actively want the extra performance, the four-wheel-drive traction and the more overt M treatment. It’s fast, secure and appealingly muscular, but it also costs about £10,000 more to get into before you even start considering options. There’s also a clear penalty in fuel economy.

At the time of writing, BMW UK lists the X2 sDrive20i from £43,900, with the X2 M35i xDrive at just under £54,000. That’s a lot of money for a small SUV, even one wearing a BMW badge, and it means the X2 sits firmly in premium territory.

That pricing also explains the X2’s position in the market. You’re not buying it because it’s a value option. You’re buying it because you want the badge, the cabin quality, the styling and the particular blend of comfort and polish BMW tends to do well.

The most obvious rival is the Audi Q3 Sportback. It offers much the same coupe-SUV ethos, has a similarly premium image and will appeal to buyers who want something smart and upmarket without going too large. The Audi arguably blends into traffic more than the BMW, which may suit some buyers better.

The Cupra Formentor remains the more interesting choice if driving enjoyment matters most. It doesn’t have the same badge cachet, but it’s more fun on a favourite road and usually looks good value next to premium German alternatives. If you like the X2’s style but want a car with a bit more attitude from behind the wheel, the Cupra is the one to try.

You should also look at the MINI Countryman if you want a premium-feeling alternative with shared underpinnings and a more characterful cabin, or the regular BMW X1 if you like almost everything about the X2 except the tighter rear accommodation and rakish styling. The X1 is the more rational buy. The X2 is the one you choose because you want your family SUV to feel a bit less sensible.

From the front seats, the X2 is easy to like. Visibility is decent enough, the dashboard layout is clean, and there’s plenty of perceived quality in the things you touch most often. The sports seats are a particular strength, especially in the M35i, where they look and feel suitably special.

The bigger surprise is the boot. Coupe-SUVs usually ask you to trade away practicality for a more fashionable silhouette, but the X2 doesn’t suffer too badly here. There’s up to 560 litres in the sDrive20i and 1470 litres with the rear seats folded, while the M35i manages 525 litres to 1400 litres. That means the petrol X2 has the kind of luggage space that can genuinely work for family use, weekends away or airport runs.

There are useful details too, including a 40:20:40 split rear bench, which makes it easier to carry awkward loads without turning the X2 into a strict two-seater. Cabin storage is decent rather than exceptional, with door bins, cupholders and a centre console that cover the basics well enough.

The compromise comes in the back seats. Adults will fit, but taller passengers will notice the lower roofline more than they would in an X1, and the rising waistline can make the rear feel a bit enclosed. That’s the price you pay for the X2’s sleeker shape.

The BMW X2 is 4,567mm long, 1,845mm wide and 1,575mm tall, with a 2,692mm wheelbase. That makes it a substantial small SUV rather than something city-sized, but it’s one reason the X2 has become more practical than the old model.

All current UK X2 models get BMW’s curved display and the latest Operating System 9, which brings a sharper, cleaner interface than older BMW systems. It’s quick and easy to use when stationary, and that rings true for BMW’s current infotainment more broadly. The issue isn’t speed so much as the number of basic functions now buried in the screen.

That matters because climate control no longer has the physical buttons many buyers still prefer. There are steering wheel controls for audio functions, which helps, and BMW’s optional head-up display remains one of the clearer systems in this class. Wireless charging is available, and BMW also offers features such as Parking Assistant Plus and Digital Premium functions depending on specification.

BMW gives the X2 a broader mix of trims than you might expect. Perforated ‘Veganza’ is a prominent option in the regular range, bringing a cleaner, more contemporary look than traditional leather, while the M35i comes with an Alcantara and Veganza combination as standard, complete with blue M stitching across the instrument panel and door tops. Inside, you can also change the mood of the cabin with different decorative trims, so the X2 can lean either sportier or more understated depending on how you spec it.

The BMW X2 sDrive20i uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 170PS and 280Nm of torque. It drives the front wheels through a seven-speed automatic gearbox, gets from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds and has an official combined economy figure of 48.7mpg.

The M35i xDrive is the performance flagship. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 300PS and 400Nm, sends power to all four wheels and cuts the 0-62mph time to 5.4 seconds. Official fuel economy drops to 36.7mpg.

On paper, that makes the M35i a very quick thing by small SUV standards. In reality,, it’s fast rather than genuinely thrilling. There’s plenty of shove, but it doesn’t have the immediacy or delicacy of a great hot hatch. The sDrive20i is likely to be the smarter recommendation for most readers, because it should be brisk enough while avoiding the flagship’s extra cost and thirst.

The M35i gives the BMW X2 a composed, confidence-inspiring character. There’s ample grip, the steering is precise enough, and the car feels secure rather than mischievous when you push on. That’s probably exactly what most buyers in this class want. It corners neatly, keeps body movements under control and feels settled at speed.

The downside is that the X2 isn’t especially playful. Rivals such as the Cupra Formentor feel lighter on their feet and keener to entertain. The BMW also rides firmly, with a constant sense of jostle on poor surfaces rather than any one harsh impact. That may not bother you in the M35i, because the whole point of that model is its more aggressive setup, but it’s worth knowing before you sign anything.

Refinement is a mixed bag. Cruise in the M35i and it settles down well enough, but the engine note under hard acceleration isn’t especially appealing. Wind and tyre noise seem well managed at motorway speeds, though, which helps the X2 feel more grown-up on long runs than some style-led small SUVs.

The BMW X2 has a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Euro NCAP treats it as a partner model to the X1, with additional testing carried out where needed because the two share structure and safety equipment.

Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning, cruise control with braking, speed limit warning, lane departure warning and a parking assistant. BMW also offers more advanced features, such as Parking Assistant Plus and optional active cruise-related systems, higher up the range.

If running costs matter, the sDrive20i is clearly the one to go for. It manages 48.7mpg, which is strong for a petrol small SUV with 170PS. The mild-hybrid setup should also help in everyday stop-start use, even if the gains aren’t dramatic.

The M35i’s official 36.7mpg is less painful than you might expect for a 300PS performance SUV, but it’ll still look expensive next to the 20i in real-world use, especially if you make use of the performance.

BMW backs the X2 with a three-year unlimited-mileage new car warranty in the UK, including roadside assistance. For buyers planning to keep the car longer, BMW also offers an insured extended warranty product once the original cover expires.

On servicing, BMW now uses Condition Based Servicing rather than relying on a simple fixed annual schedule. In practice, that means the car monitors wear and service requirements and prompts you when work is due. That’s convenient, but it also means you shouldn’t assume identical intervals from one owner to the next if you’re shopping used.

Insurance is unlikely to be a strong point, particularly for the M35i. You’re looking at group 25 for the sDrive20i and group 34 for the M35i, which sounds about right for a small premium SUV with this level of performance. Still, this is one area where exact ratings can vary by derivative and insurer, so it’s worth checking the precise car you’re considering before treating those numbers as final.

The BMW X2 is taxed at the standard VED rate of £200 a year. Because both current X2 petrol versions cost more than £40,000 new, they also fall into the expensive car supplement bracket for five years from the start of the second year, taking the annual total to £640 during that period.