BMW X2 Review (2017-2023)

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.