BMW X2 Review (2017-2023)
BMW X2 cars for sale
3.0
Expert review
Pros
Excellent iDrive infotainment system
Low benefit-in-kind tax if you run the plug-in hybrid as a company car
Sensible running costs
Cons
Brittle and uncompromising ride
The X1 is roomier and more practical
Odd looks
The CarGurus verdict
We’ll admit it, we’re unconvinced, primarily because the X2 is mixing elements together that just don’t seem to gel, convincingly at least. That’s exacerbated by the fact that you can have the same engines, and much the same underpinnings, in several other models in the BMW range, all of which do a more convincing job, and have a clearer sense of purpose.
An SUV without the height that people crave for; firm riding and not particularly spacious, especially in the back seats where headroom is tight; even the styling’s a bit too hatchback-like to really make it stand out as an SUV. That there are few direct rivals for the X2 underlines its odd positioning, though it’s not been around long enough to see if BMW’s gamble here has worked. It’s proved us wrong previously, with the rather odd and awkward X4 and X6 models, but we’re not sure the X2’s got what it takes to prove us wrong again.
What is the BMW X2?
SUV and crossover sales have increased massively in recent years, and almost every conceivable niche is being filled by cars with chunkier styling, a more ‘commanding’ view of the road ahead and the promise of greater practicality and utility. All of which puts the X2 in an unusual position, for while it obviously follows some of the crossover and SUV formula, it leaves out some of the more appealing elements.
Crucially, height. The X2 looks and feels barely any different from a normal hatchback from behind the wheel, in relation to the seating position at least. It’s low, which is one strike off the usual crossover check list of having a higher driving position. It’s an SUV that’s aping a hatchback rather than a coupe – like the X4 and X6 - then, which means we’ve come full circle here, back to where things started. Odd.
How practical is it?
When it comes to utility, too, there’s no more of it than in the X1 it’s related to. Indeed, when it comes to boot and passenger space, it’s not able to muster as much as the X1, although practicality isn’t always a motivating factor for buyers in this market segment, so we’ll not be too disparaging of the X2 here. And, that being said, it still offers a 470-litre boot, just 30 litres shy of the BMW X1's.
If you’re a family car buyer, then take note. Access to the rear seats is limited due to small door openings, which will make getting children into ISOFIX-mounted (there are two sets) child seats problematic. The rear seat is low, and the window line high, so kids might find it a bit claustrophobic back there, too. Add a boot that’s got a pretty deep lip, and you’ll struggle to get the buggy in and out easily. All fine if you’re childless, but if you’ve got young kids you’d be better served by an X1. Or, better still, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, provided you can live with the idea you’re buying a car that’s billed as an MPV rather than an SUV.
What's it like to drive?
You’d think that the higher riding (sort of) stance of the X2’s suspension might result in supple suspension with fine comfort. It doesn’t. Indeed, the ride on all X2s is pretty brittle and uncompromising. If you want as smooth a ride as possible, be sure to pick an entry-level SE, with its standard suspension, and while you’re at it, make sure you’ve got it fitted with very smallest wheels available. Go for bigger items, or the M Sport suspension, or the Adaptive Suspension with variable dampers that was offered optionally, and your ride comfort will suffer.
The same goes for the hybrid version – compensating for the heavy battery pack means the ride feels even stiffer, and the handling is less agile as a result of the extra weight, too.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
BMW pioneered with its iDrive operated infotainment system, and its polish is apparent here in the X2. The touchscreen on top of the dashboard might not be as large as those in some rivals, but it operates with the sort of slick clarity and ease that most rivals can only dream of. You can operate it via the touchscreen itself, but, if you’d rather not leave fingerprints all over the screen, all the operations can be achieved by the iDrive rotary controller on the transmission tunnel. It’s our preferred operation, and it works very well indeed.
The BMW’s infotainment impresses with its operation and comes as standard with Apple CarPlay preparation, and from late 2020, Android Auto, too. Previously Android Auto users weren't catered for by BMW, but those with older X2s can now access this function via a software update.
BMW X2 running costs
BMW might be a premium brand, but its positioning, and, crucially, its status, means that residual values are stronger than its more mainstream volume rivals. You'll find that this often means that a BMW product is actually as cost-effective, if not more so, to run than the mainstream ones. We’re all aware of the gazillions of BMW 3 Series sold to business fleet buyers because of this, and that magic permeates the entire mode range, even something a bit left-field like the X2.
You’ll be able to walk into a BMW dealer, put down a deposit and work out a sensible monthly payment to ‘own’ one, then, and daily running costs will be sensible, too. That’s particularly true of the diesels, with either the 18d or 20d offering real-world economy easily into the 40-45mpg range, without really trying too hard. The petrol choices won’t achieve that, but they’re not as far behind as they used to be, with the petrol engine models typically returning 10-20% less than their quoted circa 40-45mpg official combined consumption figures. BMW EfficientDynamics plays its part here, that being a collection of measures and technology aimed at improving fuel efficiency. There's everything from active aero shutting down the front grille to improve airflow, brake energy regeneration, low rolling resistance tyres, auto stop start and the Eco Pro mode in the selectable drive modes.
Insurance groups, for all but the most extreme end of the X2 line-up are excellent, too, while BMW will service it for a fixed monthly fee over a specified number of services/years. It’s worth remembering that the numerous connected drive systems within the infotainment system are only, typically, free for the first three years of X2 ownership. After that you’ll have to decide whether you want them enough to pay an annual subscription fee to keep using them.
BMW X2 reliability
With just a couple of years of sales to extrapolate data from, there’s not a great deal of information about reliability issues relating specifically to the X2. However, BMW has been around for a while, and although it’s a premium brand, it’s also a volume one, and there’s some mutterings that in being so, that standards have slipped slightly in relation to reliability, and customer service. Several worryingly lowly finishes in various manufacturer league tables gleaned from reliability surveys would support those mutterings.
The engine line-up for the X2 models is a proven one, though, particularly those diesels, and the automatic transmissions don’t have any specific concerns relating to them, either. Indeed, the majority of complaints relating to BMW are centred around the electronics, and things like the infotainment system.
There have been a couple of recalls put out for the X2, so make sure if you’re buying used, or, indeed, new, that your car has been subject to any necessary work required to remedy these.
– In terms of rivals, the X2 has plenty. Its moderately elevated hatchback looks are comparable to Mercedes-Benz’s original GLA, although with its recently-released second-generation GLA, Merc has deliberately moved it, stylistically and proportionally, into a more recognisable SUV form. The majority of the X2’s rivals, in relation to pricing and positioning, are more conventionally, recognisably SUV in their style, too, cars such as the cool Volvo XC40, Audi’s ageing but decent Q3, the bold Lexus UX, the funky Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and the underwhelming Jaguar E-Pace. To that list of premium alternatives, you could add a host of others from non-premium brands, that’ll be a bit more SUV in their looks and stance, notably the MINI Countryman, which shares a lot with the BMW X2. – There’s a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with these denoted as sDrive or xDrive on the X2’s badges, while the engine line-up is the tried and tested range of petrol and diesel engines from BMW. There’s a plug-in hybrid model, too, which offers a useful electric-only range for those wanting to reduced tailpipe emissions around their local area, or on their commute, and wanting to save tax with their company car, too. A car that’s difficult to pigeonhole, then, but that’s arguably the point for the type of buyer that the X2 will likely attract. – BMW is ramping up the release of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offerings and if you want your X2 with a big battery, a charging cable and the possibility to run around for up to 32.9 miles on electricity alone, then you’ll be well served by the X2 xDrive25e. That electric-only range skews the figures for the official combined economy, it quoted as returning as much as 166.2 mpg, but the reality will be significantly less. Think around half that.
- The one you can plug in: BMW is ramping up the release of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offerings and if you want your X2 with a big battery, a charging cable and the possibility to run around for up to 32.9 miles on electricity alone, then you’ll be well served by the X2 xDrive25e. That electric-only range skews the figures for the official combined economy, it quoted as returning as much as 166.2 mpg, but the reality will be significantly less. Think around half that.
- The long-range one: Diesel might have fallen out of favour, and that’s a shame, because BMW’s 20d engine is an absolute cracker, with effortless power, big performance and the sort of long-legged ease that’ll see it cross some countries without a refill. The xDrive20d in SE form is quoted at between 49.6-50.4mpg on the official WLTP combined consumption test cycle, and it's likely to get near that, too, even if you’re enjoying it.
- The best-riding one: You’d think that the higher riding (sort of) stance of the X2’s suspension might result in supple suspension with fine comfort. It doesn’t. Indeed, the ride on all X2s is pretty brittle and uncompromising. If you want as smooth a ride as possible, be sure to pick an entry-level SE, with its standard suspension, and while you’re at it, make sure you’ve got it fitted with very smallest wheels available. Go for bigger items, or the M Sport suspension, or the Adaptive Suspension with variable dampers that was offered optionally, and your ride comfort will suffer.
- The M one: There has to a range-topping model, and in the case of the X2 that’s the X2 M35i. It’s supposed to appeal to drivers, and, yes, it’ll be fast – 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds - and capable, thanks to various M specification upgrades. But, really, if you want something that’s genuinely fun with the same powertrain, there are far better choices in the BMW range.
