Love it or hate it, the new BMW X2 is love at first sight

Love it or hate it, the new BMW X2 is love at first sight

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In the world of luxury subcompact SUVs, the BMW X2 has stood tall as a stylish, good-to-drive model since its local arrival in 2018.

The truth of the matter is that it was starting to look and feel dated compared to its peers due to its age, especially taking into account that its X1 counterpart recently received a new model earlier this year.

That said, BMW has revealed an all-new X2 model that, if we’re honest, is a leap forward compared to the outgoing model both in terms of design and equipment. Aesthetically, it's either love or hate kind of lines. It now has striking LED headlights, an adaptive LED headlight option, and a hexagonal BMW kidney grille that may be specified with glow- contour lighting. 

The X2’s rear looks like nothing we’ve come across under the BMW banner, courtesy of a slim, coupe-shaped silhouette, flared wheel arches, a Gurney-style spoiler, stylish rear apron and slim LED tail lights. 

Depending on the model specified, there are two pairs of exhaust tailpipes—in the case of the M35i xDrive, to be more specific. The rest of the range can be had with the optional M Sport Package and M Sport Package Pro, which add features such as M High-Gloss Shadowline exterior trim, M lights Shadowline, an M rear spoiler, and an M Sport braking system with red-painted callipers. 

Buyers can choose from two solid and eleven metallic shades, including the new Fire Red Metallic, two Frozen shades from BMW Individual, and a broad spectrum of BMW Individual special paint finishes. 

Compared to the model it replaces, the new X2 has grown in terms of size, which, according to BMW, has resulted in more interior space. In terms of dimensions, it has grown by 194mm in length, 21mm in width, and 64mm in height. 

The boot space with the second row of seats raised is 560 litres, or 1,470mm, with them folded flat. For the first time ever, BMW has also revealed a fully electric iX2 with 525 and 1,400 litres, respectively.  

As for the interior, it looks similar to the setup that currently resides in the X1 consisting of a combination of a 10.25-inch information display and a 10.7-inch infotainment display that is powered by the brand’s iDrive 9. This is further supplemented by an interior-facing camera that can record videos and take pictures. 

BMW offers four variants of the X2: the sDrive18d, sDrive20i, X2 M35i xDrive, and for the first time, the iX2 xDrive30. 

The range-opening BMW X2 sDrive18d packs a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 110kW and 360Nm of torque, while the sDrive20i makes use of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged unit with 125kW and 280Nm of torque. 

The X2 M35i xDrive pumps out 221kW or 233kW in other markets and 400Nm from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, enough to catapult the SUV from rest to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds. 

Regarding the first-ever iX2 xDrive30, it has a twin-motor drivetrain that produces 230kW and 474Nm as well as an EV range of up to 449km, thanks to a 64.8kWh battery pack. As for its performance, it hurtles from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds before maxing out at 180km/h. All ICE-powered variants of the X2 are equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

BMW will build the X2 at its Regensburg plant in Germany and local availability hasn’t yet been confirmed. 

The folks at BMW may seem to have abandoned the X2 for a while, but as far as first impressions go, the wait was worth it, and if it ever comes close to the impressive dynamics of the X1, it will surely be a winner in its respective fold. 

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