As before, the new BMW X2 is a sportier take on the firm's smallest SUV, the X1. This time BMW has given the X2 a much more sweeping roofline to differentiate it from its more upright relation where the previous X2 was vaguely hatchback-like. However, the big news is that the new X2 family gains a couple of fully electric derivatives and we've driven the most potent of these, the twin-motor iX2 xDrive30.
In the metal
Visually, the BMW iX2 is almost identical to the petrol-powered models in the X2 range. The key giveaway is the design of the blanked-off kidney grilles up front, which are otherwise the same shape and size as those fitted to the X2s. Besides that, this looks much like any other X2 - BMW has given this new, second-generation coupe-SUV an appearance far more befitting of the coupe part of the name, with a longer roofline that gently slopes down to the tailgate.
What you already think of coupe-SUVs from an aesthetic point of view will not be changed by the iX2, then, but we would say we don't think this is the worst-looking example of its breed. However, to get that sweeping profile, the iX2 (and, by extension, the new X2) is quite a bit longer than the crossover it replaces. At 4,554mm tip-to-tail, it's nearly 20cm (+194mm) bigger in that dimension, while it's also wider (+21mm), taller (+64mm) and possessed of a stretched wheelbase (+22mm) when compared to its predecessor.
That last increase will help with passenger space in the back of the vehicle, but unfortunately, due to the battery and placement of the rear motor, the iX2 has a smaller boot than its petrol-propelled X2 relations. Whereas models such as the M35i have a 560-1,470-litre cargo area, the iX2 loses 35 litres on the former figure and 70 litres on the latter to stand at 525 litres with its rear seats up, and 1,400 litres with them folded way. Still, that's pretty decent and much better than the original X2 M35i's 470-litre boot, for example.
Inside, BMW's Curved Display digital interface dominates proceedings and while it does eliminate most physical switchgear, bringing with it perhaps too much of a reliance on the touchscreen to operate certain functions when driving, we would say that - in typical BMW fashion - it is one of the sharpest such infotainment systems going. It reacts quickly to inputs and is sensibly laid out, while the graphics are also super-crisp and classy.
That goes for the cluster display in front of the driver, where the only real change between the X2 and the iX2 is that, in the electric model, the digital rev counter is replaced with an 'ePower' gauge that runs from 0-100 per cent. There are also various displays and read-outs on both this 10.25-inch screen and the central 10.7-inch display which are specific to the electric version.
Generally, though, this is a high-tech, high-quality and highly spacious interior, with nice aesthetics, top-notch ergonomics and a pleasing 'rightness' that makes the iX2's cabin a fine place to have to spend some time.
Driving it
Mirroring its third-generation BMW X1 relation, the iX2 launches initially with a dual-motor model, called the xDrive30 - but it will soon be followed by a 204hp single-motor iX2 eDrive20, which is likely to get near 500km for its official range. An iX1 eDrive20 in the related crossover line-up is already available for sale, by the way.
The iX2 xDrive30 tested here is powered by a pair of 140kW electric motors, sited one on each axle. This gives the iX2 all-wheel drive, which in turn results in the 'xDrive' portion of its model badge, even if there's no physical driveshaft to the SUV's rear wheels as you'd find in a traditional 4x4.
Officially, this model manages nearly 450km from its 64.8kWh battery pack, and it'll take 29 minutes to replenish it from 10-80 per cent at its maximum 130kW DC-charging rate. Hook the iX2 up to an 11kW AC connection and you're looking at 6.5 hours for a full charge from empty. Having tested it in a warm climate, we can tell you that 350km ought to be easily attainable on a regular basis from a carefully driven iX2 xDrive30, even in cooler atmospheric conditions, and that its onboard 'range to empty' displays are information read-outs you can trust to be accurate.
Meanwhile, the peak power of the iX2's propulsion system is 313hp, which is enough to make it the most powerful X2 in the range, eclipsing the 300hp M35i petrol derivative. The iX2 xDrive30 also has a maximum 494Nm of torque, again a good 94Nm more than the M35i.
However, as is the way with so many electric vehicles, the iX2 xDrive30 is heavy. It clocks in at 2,090kg (with driver and essential car fluids onboard), when the M35i is fully 325kg trimmer. This means, for all its instant torque and single-speed gearbox, the iX2 is marginally less accelerative than the high-power petrol X2, turning in a 5.6-second 0-100km/h time that is two-tenths slower than that of the M35i.
No matter; despite this, which is an irrelevant fact anyway, given how most people drive in the real world, we're here to tell you that the xDrive30 is the pick of this new coupe-SUV's range. While that rakish roofline and the blue-and-white propeller badge on its bonnet might make you think the X2 is going to be sporty and fun to drive, the reality is that it isn't. But what it is, is supremely refined and polished to the highest possible standard, and that's where the elegance of an electric drivetrain suits its whole demeanour better.
Push the iX2 xDrive30 and you'll find it's a more ragged vehicle at the limit of its dynamic capabilities. Where the M35i seems to have utterly unshakeable grip for days on dry surfaces, there are moments where the electric model can lose adhesion to the road surface and feel as if it is 'skating' sideways on all four tyres. Objectively, this means it is not as talented as the lighter, more focused petrol model, but as you'll only experience this sort of behaviour if you're driving the iX2 in an unrepresentative fashion, this isn't actually an impediment to the electric BMW's cause.
And in all other regards, it's a delight to drive. The smooth and rapid power delivery of the electric motors is geared beautifully, so you can precisely mete out the ample performance as you so wish. Like the iX1 xDrive30, the iX2 only makes its full 313hp available for limited 'overboost' phases, but you'll never think it lacks for straight-line urge. It also has nicely judged steering and regenerative braking, so if you're just carefully manoeuvring it about town or blasting it along an open, deserted road, the BMW electric SUV simply feels thoroughly well-sorted throughout.
You don't even lose much in terms of visibility, with regards the view afforded by the shallower rear windscreen. While an iX1 is obviously better in this discipline, it's not like peering through a letterbox in the iX2, every time you want to look in the rear-view mirror.
Concluding the impressive kinematic display is superb ride comfort and refinement, as it's rare imperfections in the road surface cause discomfort in the passenger cabin, while the noise of the tyres rolling on the asphalt and wind flowing around the iX2's shapely cabin are both limited to a remarkable degree. It means no matter if you're travelling slowly or at speed, the BMW is cosseting, pleasurable to travel in and incredibly quiet.
Well, it is depending on which 'experiential' mode you're in. There are six on the iX2, taking their lead from the larger BMW iX. The first three - Personal, Sport and Efficient - change the way the BMW drives, sharpening or relaxing the throttle and steering and so on, while Expressive, Relax and Digital Art merely alter the noises the vehicle makes and the graphics on the main displays, while also (in the case of Relax) changing the cabin ambience by switching on massaging seats and automatically closing the blind on the panoramic sunroof.
But only in Efficient are the iX2's motors allowed to work as quietly as they can. In all the others, synthesised noises are piped into the cabin to varying degrees. In Relax, for instance, the car almost 'sings' to you in what sounds like a choir of heavenly voices. In Sport, there's a bassy electric rumble that in no way tries to mimic an internal combustion engine. Digital Art sounds like a power chord from an unreleased Daft Punk album track.
However, it's Expressive we like the most. With a crescendo of synth noises and a weird, descending bass note, accelerating in the iX2 in this setting makes it sound like the famous 'THX Deep Note' signature sound you hear at the start of any film with said acoustics. You know the one - it shattered Hans Moleman's glasses in one classic episode of The Simpsons.
Artificial noises in cars are, of course, love 'em or hate 'em, but in the iX2 - as we found in the larger iX - we genuinely like what BMW's sound engineers have done. If you're going to have an EV, go all-in on the experience and make it sound all sci-fi and futuristic, like this. Far better than piping in the sound of an old M3's engine snarling away, and it only serves to add to the overall appeal of the iX2.
What you get for your money
The case for the xDrive30 being the pick of the BMW X2 range is solidified when our VRT laws mean it is nowhere near as expensive as the M35i, which retails for more than €80,000. This twin-motor electric car, however, is a more reasonable €70,599 for an M Sport, which is a useful saving. Better still, the mooted eDrive20e's price is already showing on BMW Ireland's website and it's sub-€60k, making it one of the cheapest X2s of any type that you can buy.
Its price also compares well to similar EVs from other luxury manufacturers, such as the 340hp Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback 55 quattro S line (€77,395) and the Mercedes EQA 300 4Matic AMG Line (€69,745), which is currently the most-powerful EQA you can buy and it only has 228hp - some way down on the iX2. However, Volvo's 428hp EX30 dual-motor looks highly tempting for a basic price of €52,995, for 3.6 seconds 0-100km/h and 450km of range.
M Sport trim, the basic level available on the electric BMW coupe-SUV, is generous and comes with plenty of useful and desirable standard equipment to further mitigate its list price, although there are a selection of expensive styling and technology options which can push the purchase figure for the iX2 even higher if you're not careful.
Summary
The very idea of a coupe-SUV puts some people off and, now that the BMW X2 looks a lot like the bigger (and contentious) BMW X4 and X6 models, you could argue that this car is ugly. We, however, think it looks fine; not handsome, not jaw-dropping, just... fine. Beyond that, it also has a superb cabin, and the cultured electric driving experience suits this compact crossover down to the ground. While not the cheapest, its competitive list price also makes it the pick of the launch line-up for the entire X2 family, no matter what's under the bonnet.
