Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

BMW X2 review

The low-slung and less than practical BMW X2 is an SUV oddity, but it’s stylish and good to drive

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.5 out of 5

Price
£40,490 to £52,970
  • Eye-catching looks
  • Sharp to drive
  • Build quality
  • X1 is cheaper
  • X1 is more practical
  • Low-set seats
Find your BMW X2
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The X2 is an interesting proposition within BMW's extensive line-up. It’s certainly a crossover because it can neither be pigeonholed as an SUV or a jacked up hatchback. The X2 prioritises style over practicality and while it’s fun to drive with its low-slung driving position, it lacks the commanding view that many buyers like in this kind of car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The cabin delivers the high level of quality and kit that we've come to expect from BMW, although it’s starting to feel dated next to its peers. If space is a priority for you, then you will be better served by the roomier, and less expensive, X1 instead. Within the 2 Series level of BMW cars there’s also the more commodious 2 Series Active Tourer MPV as well.

About the BMW X2

BMW has been a player in the SUV game since the X5 first went on sale in 1999, and the firm has spent the intervening years finding niches to launch new SUV models into.

The X2 arrived in 2018 to fill a small gap between the X1 and X3, and like other ‘even-numbered’ X models it’s designed with a sportier brief than more practical ‘odd numbers’. That said, the X2 isn’t a four-door coupe SUV like its bigger X4 and X6 stablemates, but rather a low slung and swoopy five-door that retains a modicum of estate-car practicality.

It may look sporty – for an SUV crossover at least – but the X2 is pleasant to drive rather than an enthusiast’s delight, being based on the same front- and four-wheel drive UKL2 platform you’ll also find underneath the MINI Countryman.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The X2 is available with both drive options, and cars fitted with the 4x4 system have BMW xDrive badges, while front-drivers are referred to as sDrive models. BMW enthusiasts set great store by the marque’s rear-wheel drive platform as the key to fine handling, but the X2 manages to deliver a decently pleasing set of driving responses in spite of its raised ride height. That’s at least partly due to the fact the X2 rides lower than most SUVs, which means you don’t get such a commanding view of the road when you’re driving it.  

Diesel engines are no longer part of the X2 line-up, which leaves the core of the range populated by 18i and 20i-badged 2.0-litre petrol engines. The former is only available as a front-wheel drive model, while the latter gets BMW's xDrive four-wheel drive system.The 18i comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the eight-speed auto that's standard on other models, is available as an option. Meanwhile the 20i is offered exclusively with a seven-speed auto.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) xDrive25e offers an alternative powertrain option, and uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit plus a electric motor fed by a 10kWh lithium-ion battery for a pure-electric driving range of 32 miles. But sitting at the very top of the X2 range is the 302bhp M35i, with the high-end performance variant also fitting with xDrive four-wheel drive and an eight-speed auto as standard.

Buyers no longer have the option of the SE or M Sport X trim, leaving just the Sport and popular M Sport specifications. Prices for the X2 span from around £35,000 to more than £50,000, which puts it at the heart of the premium crossover and SUV class. Add some options and those costs rapidly spiral – so be careful when looking at the list of extras.

Rivals include the Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E-Pace, top-spec versions of the Volkswagen T-Roc and MINI Countryman, as well as lower-spec versions of the Range Rover Evoque, plus the ageing Audi Q3 and more hatchback-like Mercedes GLA. However, there are other rivals in-house, because the BMW X1 offers a similar drive but with a more practical interior and newer tech, while the 1 Series offers lower running costs and sporty handling in a cheaper, more car-like package.

Frequently Asked Questions
The BMW X2 prioritises style over practicality, and it's interior is starting to show its age, but the premium crossover is still fun to drive and feels very well built.

For an alternative review of the BMW X2, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    sDrive 18i SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £29,295

Most Economical

  • Name
    sDrive 18d SE 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £31,600

Fastest

  • Name
    M35i 5dr Step Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £48,975
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on X2

Show me:
New BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport review: a sharp coupe-SUV
BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport - front
Road tests
11 Mar 2024

New BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport review: a sharp coupe-SUV

The BMW iX2 has one big problem - the BMW iX1. You’ve got to love those coupe-SUV looks to pick it
New BMW iX2 2024 review: struggles against iX1 on everything but looks
BMW iX2 - front
Road tests
27 Feb 2024

New BMW iX2 2024 review: struggles against iX1 on everything but looks

The new BMW iX2 electric SUV has styling on its side, but is less appealing than the impressive iX1
New BMW X2 2024 review: hot M35i version is fast, but hard to recommend
New BMW X2 M35i - front
Road tests
27 Feb 2024

New BMW X2 2024 review: hot M35i version is fast, but hard to recommend

The hot BMW X2 M35i is certainly quick, but it’s expensive and lacks involvement
Skip advert
Advertisement
New BMW iX2 eDrive20 launched: cheaper version of the all-electric coupe SUV dips under £51k
BMW iX2 eDrive - front
News
31 Jan 2024

New BMW iX2 eDrive20 launched: cheaper version of the all-electric coupe SUV dips under £51k

The entry-level BMW iX2 eDrive20 will have a 297-mile range
New BMW X2 becomes the coupe-SUV it was always meant to be
BMW X2 - front
News
11 Oct 2023

New BMW X2 becomes the coupe-SUV it was always meant to be

BMW’s new baby coupe lands in 2024 to rival the Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes GLA
New BMW iX2 swoops in to take on the Kia EV6 and Cupra Tavascan
BMW iX2 - front
News
10 Oct 2023

New BMW iX2 swoops in to take on the Kia EV6 and Cupra Tavascan

BMW’s first electric coupe-SUV offers just 279 miles of range, but has performance to spare
New BMW iX2 electric SUV spied for the first time
BMW iX2 (camouflaged) - front
News
3 Jan 2023

New BMW iX2 electric SUV spied for the first time

BMW’s X2 coupe crossover is returning and it’ll get all-electric power from the new iX1
BMW leasing deals 2022
BMW 3 Series - cornering
Best cars & vans
13 Sep 2022

BMW leasing deals 2022

The best BMW leasing deals available right now
New BMW X2 xDrive25e 2022 review
BMW X2 xDrive25e - side
Road tests
8 Mar 2022

New BMW X2 xDrive25e 2022 review

The new plug-in hybrid BMW X2 xDrive25e struggles to compete with more modern rivals such as the Mercedes GLA 250 e
Skip advert
Advertisement
Used BMW X2 (Mk1, 2017-date) review
Used BMW X2 - front
Used car tests
19 Nov 2021

Used BMW X2 (Mk1, 2017-date) review

Our full used buyer’s guide on the BMW X2 small SUV, covering the X2 Mk1 (2017-date)
BMW X2 M Mesh Edition on sale now priced from £34,510
BMW X2 M Mesh Edition - front
News
15 Jan 2021

BMW X2 M Mesh Edition on sale now priced from £34,510

The BMW X2 M Mesh Edition features unique decals and upholstery, as well as – you guessed it – a mesh radiator grille
Skip advert
Advertisement
New BMW X2 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid priced from £37,885
News
26 May 2020

New BMW X2 xDrive25e plug-in hybrid priced from £37,885

The fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid BMW X2 xDrive25e arrives in UK showrooms this summer
New facelifted BMW X2 SUV set to arrive in 2021
News
23 Apr 2020

New facelifted BMW X2 SUV set to arrive in 2021

The facelifted BMW X2 has been spied testing, with the updated Mercedes GLA rival set to arrive in 2021
New 2020 BMW X1 and X2 xDrive25e PHEVs launched
BMW X1 and X2 PHEV - front
News
9 Jan 2020

New 2020 BMW X1 and X2 xDrive25e PHEVs launched

The German brand has released a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for its pair of entry-level SUVs, with prices starting from £38,200
BMW X2 M35i vs Audi SQ2 vs Cupra Ateca
BMW X2 vs Audi SQ2 vs Cupra Ateca
Car group tests
30 Sep 2019

BMW X2 M35i vs Audi SQ2 vs Cupra Ateca

The new BMW X2 M35i goes up against the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Ateca in this performance SUV showdown
Skip advert
Advertisement
Lexus UX vs BMW X2
Car group tests
23 Jul 2019

Lexus UX vs BMW X2

The Lexus UX and BMW X2 go head-to-head in the small premium SUV niche
New BMW X2 M35i 2019 review
BMW X2 M35i - front
Road tests
17 May 2019

New BMW X2 M35i 2019 review

The new BMW X2 M35i has arrived to take on the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Ateca with 302bhp, but is it a hit or a miss?
BMW X2 vs Volkswagen T-Roc
bmw x2 vs volkswagen t-roc static
Car group tests
17 Oct 2018

BMW X2 vs Volkswagen T-Roc

Does BMW or Volkswagen come out on top in battle of the sporty crossovers?
New BMW X2 M35i tops the range with 302bhp
BMW X2 M35i
News
7 Sep 2018

New BMW X2 M35i tops the range with 302bhp

Hot new BMW X2 M35i SUV is the first M branded car with 4 cylinders and will go on sale in Europe in 2019
New BMW X2 2018 review
BMW X2 - front
Road tests
29 Mar 2018

New BMW X2 2018 review

The stylish and sporty BMW X2 SUV has landed in Britain, but is it a hit?
New 2018 BMW X2 SUV: specs, prices and release date
2018 BMW X2 - front
News
19 Jan 2018

New 2018 BMW X2 SUV: specs, prices and release date

BMW's latest crossover offering will be arriving in UK dealers this year, so here are all the details on the new X2