The BMW X2 shares its underpinnings with the X1, but it's billed as the more stylish and agile of the two. The roofline slopes at the rear to create a hatchback-like profile, and unlike the X1, an M-badged option is available. However, the X2 has plenty of competition in the luxury subcompact crossover segment, with rivals including the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40. In its higher-spec form, it's also priced similarly to larger crossovers, including BMW's own X3 and X4.
The current generation of the X2 was released in 2018 and BMW hasn't changed much for the 2022 model year, except adding black mirror caps as a standalone option and tweaking one of the optional packages to include black accents rather than chrome. Other than that, it's all the same as it was in 2021, but does that mean it's lost its edge in comparison to its rivals? To answer that question, let's take a closer look at the nine key areas of the car that buyers will most want to know about.
10 Power
Two engine options are available for the X2, with the base-spec powertrain being shared with the X1. It's a 228 hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and it's exactly what buyers have come to expect from BMW, being smooth to drive and with plenty of power.
However, it's the top-spec engine in the M35i variant that's the highlight, with 302 horsepower on tap, enough for a 4.6 second 0-60 mph time. That puts it into the hot-hatch territory and makes it stand out from its rivals, none of which offer quite the same level of performance.
9 Handling
The one downside to this hot hatch-like performance is that the X2's ride is not as smooth as its rivals, but it does feel sharper coming into corners as a result. Unlike some crossovers which claim to have off-road capability, the X2 makes no such assertions, and in fact, even a rutted road can be enough to make passengers uncomfortable.
However, it's one of the most engaging cars to drive in its class, with a level of agility that's surprising for a crossover. That makes it one of the best small BMWs on the market for driving enthusiasts, especially since the excellent M135i isn't sold on American shores.
8 Interior
Unlike the funky exterior, the interior of the X2 is very typical BMW fare, but that's no bad thing. The general fit and finish around the cabin is high quality, and the intuitive layout will be instantly familiar to anyone who's driven a BMW before.
It's not quite as suave inside as the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLA Class, nor does it sport the Swedish chic of the Volvo XC40, but the X2 manages to balance being feature-rich and aesthetically pleasing across all three trims.
7 Spaciousness
Room in the front of the car is plentiful, with enough headroom and legroom to suit even the tallest passengers. The back seats are a little more restrictive thanks to the sloping roof, but it'll still be comfortable for children and shorter adults.
Likewise, cargo space is restricted for the same reasons, but it's about on par with its similarly-sloping rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Anyone whose primary concern is space should opt for the boxier, more practical X1, or even go one segment up and choose a base-spec X3 instead.
6 Infotainment
The X2 comes with BMW's iDrive infotainment system, which has been at the top of its class for features and intuition for years now. An 8.0" touchscreen is standard, but there's also a control knob on the center console. A head-up display is also optional.
Apple CarPlay is offered as standard, but Android users are out of luck, as Android Auto isn't offered at all on the car. There's a seven-speaker audio system that comes with every X2, but audiophiles have the option of a Harman/Kardon premium sound system instead.
5 Efficiency
In its most efficient front-wheel-drive form, the X2 is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, but add all-wheel drive and that figure drops to 31 mpg highway, with the city figure remaining the same.
The hotter M35i is also predictably the most thirsty option, but only marginally so, being rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. That's a decent rating considering the amount of power on offer, and it puts the X2 right in the middle of the segment in terms of its efficiency.
4 Safety
The IIHS rates the X2 highly in its crash testing, with every aspect of the car either earning a top-spec "good" rating or a second-tier "acceptable" rating. The overall evaluation was labeled as "good", so drivers should have no concerns about their safety should the worst happen.
The overall safety of cars, in general, is getting higher, and so the X2 simply aligns with most of its segment in this respect. The car comes with a suite of driver-assistance features as standard, including lane-departure warning and pedestrian detection.
3 Warranty
The X2's warranty coverage is competitive but not exceptional and broadly aligns with the rest of the segment. Both the limited and powertrain warranties cover four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Complimentary maintenance is also included for the first three years or 36,000 miles, which is a nice touch, especially since some rivals in the segment only offer a single free maintenance visit. However, the Jaguar E-Pace is still the segment leader here, as it offers an unbeatable five years or 60,000 miles of free maintenance.
2 Price
The base-spec sDrive28i starts at around $37,000, and the all-wheel-drive xDrive28i costs around $2,000 extra. The top-spec M35i is undoubtedly the enthusiast's choice thanks to its more powerful engine, but it's also significantly more expensive, costing around $47,000.
In comparison, the car's closest German rival, the regular Mercedes-Benz GLA, tops out at $40,000, or $56,000 for an AMG version. The Volvo XC40 ranges from $36,000 to $42,000, and the Jaguar E-Pace will cost between $42,000 and $51,000. So, it's fair to say that the X2 is priced competitively to its rivals, in some cases offering more performance for less upfront cash.
1 Verdict
So, is the X2 worth the money when it's compared to its competition? The answer, in short, is yes, as it offers a package of features that its rivals simply don't. However, the base-spec X2 will most likely only appeal to a narrow group of buyers, as most will prefer the extra space and practicality that the more conventionally-shaped X1 can give.
The M35i is a different story, however, as it's both fun to drive and practical enough to haul a small family and their luggage. There's very little else like it on the market at the same price point, as similarly driver-focused rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLA cost several thousand dollars premium over the top-spec X2. Plus, while they're more powerful, they don't offer much more in the way of driving fun.