The 2024 BMW X2 is a vehicle with an interesting mission; it wants to blend coupe styling with SUV practicality and act as an entryway into the world of BMW M – but it also isn’t allowed to step on the toes of its larger siblings higher up in the lineup. Why upgrade to an X4 if the cheaper and only slightly smaller X2 has many similar features – and actually has more cargo space?
BMW introduced the X2 back in 2017 as a more stylish variant of its entry-level X1, similar to what the X4 is to the X3 and the X6 is to the X5. This second-generation model seeks to pick up where the last one left off, improving on customer demands for sharper styling and more interior space.
The result is a larger X2, both outside and in, meaning the gap in practicality between it and the X1 has shrunk. Power comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 241 horsepower in xDrive28i guise or 312 hp in the M35i variant. CarBuzz had a chance to sample the latter M Performance model on rainy Portuguese roads, where we learned that the new X2 solves many problems from the old model while creating others.
Exterior: Honey, I Shrunk The XM
BMW needed a styling win after controversies with the 7 Series and XM, and we think they got it right here. Not everyone will dig the X2’s coupe-like rear end, but the boxy lines and sharp edges create what we’d call an attractive little crossover. The kidney grille isn’t overly massive and it looks even cooler with the optional illumination. Overall, we think the X2 looks like a baby XM that’s more palatable for a mainstream audience.
Of course, that restraint goes out the window when the X2 is finished in BMW Individual Frozen Tampa Bay Metallic paint, a new matte green that looks absolutely wild in person. If you don’t want to pony up for this custom paint, the X2 offers some other interesting hues such as Portimao Blue Metallic, Cape York Green Metallic, Utah Orange Metallic, Vegas Red Metallic, and plenty of muted options like Alpine White and Jet Black.
Wheel sizes range from 19 inches up to 21 inches, and as you’ll see later, we highly recommend getting the smallest ones. Our tester wore unique 20-inch M V-spoke wheels that looked great, but had a negative impact on ride quality.
Interior: More Premium, Fewer Buttons
Hop out of a previous-generation X2 into the new car, and it becomes clear that BMW’s interior design language has changed dramatically in the past two years. Bye-bye physical buttons and knobs, hello touch controls! Even the famous iDrive rotating controller is nowhere to be found. BMW says its latest iDrive 9 infotainment offers a QuickSelect interface that helps drivers quickly find what they need on the touchscreen.
In our experience, simple tasks like adjusting the fan speed or changing a drive mode requires too much driver attention – which is worrying when you are driving on wet roads in an unfamiliar country. BMW also says it expects customers to talk to the system by saying “Hey, BMW.” The controls work well, but it’s a bit awkward to cut your passenger off mid-sentence or interrupt your music to speak to your car just to get things done.
Though some buyers will miss the buttons, others will enjoy what is a more open-feeling and spacious cabin. The center console has a lot more space, including a wireless charger with a lap bar to hold your phone in place. The few remaining buttons live on a central armrest, putting them within reach and the rest of the cabin is packed with features.
BMW wrapped the seats in its new Veganza imitation leather, which feels like the real stuff and comes in colors like Black, Mocha, Red/Black, Atlas Grey/Smoke White, and Oyster. There is also an Alcantara option with blue stitching that looks sporty. Our tester came with the optional M Sport seats for $750, which aren’t available on the base model (although more basic sport seats are, for $400). The M Sport items look cooler than the regular seats, but weren’t very comfortable after a few hours of driving. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are optional for just $550, but ventilated seats require moving up the BMW model ladder.
Practicality: A Better SUV
While the previous X2 was smaller and less practical than the X1 on which it was based, this second generation grows in significant ways. For starters, it’s more than seven inches longer than the outgoing generation a wheelbase that has grown by almost an inch.
In fact, the X2 is now almost two and a half inches longer overall than the X1. Without having the exact measurements, rear seat leg and headroom is improved over the old model, and we didn’t bang our heads getting into the back seat as we did in the previous model.
It’s a similar story in the trunk, where we do have the official figures. There’s 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row, which is a healthy increase from 21.6 cubes in the old X2. With the seats folded, the new X2 holds 51.7 cubic feet, up from 50.1 in the previous generation. For comparison, the X1 holds 25.7 and 46.9 cubic feet, so the X2 is closer than before in terms of storage space with the seats up, and a better deal when you fold those down.
Performance: A Lot With A Little
As before, the X2 comes powered by a single 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine available in two states of tune. Europe also gets an electric iX2, but it will not be sold stateside. The entry-level xDrive28i model sends 241 hp and 295 lb-ft out to all four wheels, a healthy increase over the outgoing model’s 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, even the slowest X2 hits 60 mph in a scant 6.2 seconds.
The M35i xDrive dials things up several notches with 312 hp and 295 lb-ft, reducing the 0-60 time down to 5.2 seconds. This trim also adds an “M-specific exhaust” and adaptive M suspension. We put the M-specific exhaust in quotations marks because although the M35i has a throatier sound with pops and crackles, those noises actually come from the speakers, not the exhaust. Fake exhaust amplification through the speakers is nothing new, but there was something disconcerting about hearing the cracks and pops being simulated.
Driving Impressions: More Hot Hatchy
When BMW first began building front-wheel-drive platform vehicles like the X1, X2, and 2 Series Gran Coupe, traditional enthusiasts lost their minds about the brand diluting itself. We had a more positive outlook on the situation, hoping BMW might build cars that feel like a more luxurious Volkswagen Golf GTI or R. Sadly, the previous X2 wasn’t that; it rode firmly, but the steering felt dead. Sure, the X2 was relatively quick in a straight line, but it wasn’t anything close to an M car.
This new X2 fixes a lot of what we disliked from the last one. The steering is far more precise without getting much heavier, meaning it now feels more like a hot hatchback than ever before. Fake noise aside, the M35i powertrain is punchy unless you happen to catch it in a high cruising gear. Pulling the left paddle shifter activates a boost mode that triggers the lowest available gear and unleashes max power for a few seconds – a useful feature for urgent passing situations. Though the DCT rips off shifts quickly, there seems to be a delay between pulling the paddle and the gear change. We prefer leaving the transmission in automatic mode where it could manage itself with more grace.
In moving closer to a hot hatch formula, BMW stiffened the ride to the point where it’s uncomfortable. We drove it over some Portuguese streets with rougher surfaces, and the M adaptive suspension bounced us all over the place. If you live somewhere with smooth roads, it should be ok, but the X2 is not a soft vehicle.
Pricing & Verdict: Downmarket Luxury
Pricing for the 2024 X2 xDrive28i starts at $42,000 (excluding $995 for destination). That’s a substantial increase over the 2023 base model’s $36,600 MSRP, but keep in mind that wasn’t for AWD and xDrive now comes standard, so the price difference is smaller than it appears on paper. Stepping up to the M35i brings the price to $51,400, which is more than we’d want to spend for an ‘entry-level’ BMW. The performance is there, but we believe the xDrive28i will be plenty for most drivers. Unlike the X4 or the X6, the X2 only commands a small premium over the X1. It only costs $1,500 more than a comparable X1, which is a price premium that can be justified for the unique styling and practicality advantages.
In the US market, the only direct competition to the BMW X2 is the Mercedes-Benz GLA and its AMG GLA 35 counterpart. The Mercedes is slightly cheaper, but it’s also smaller and the interior feels less premium than the BMW. If you desire a combination of coupe-like styling but still need a spacious SUV, the X2 seems like a better option than the GLA. But if you want to save some money and still get a BMW-built crossover that’s fun to drive, the Mini Countryman should be on your radar.