2019 BMW X2 Review

Published Date: 1st Oct 2019

The BMW X2 is a sleek and sporty looking compact SUV with some engine options that pack a punch. In a crowded compact SUV segment, BMW have broken rank with a clear intention to stand out from the crowd where the emphasis has mainly been on practicality and mainstream SUV looks.

2019 BMW X2 Exterior Looks

It looks great, with a low roofline and bold styling it catches the eye. In many ways it’s a sleeker, sportier version of the BMW X1.

Other styling tweaks are a revised design of BMW’s kidney grille, sportier side skirts and wheel arches with twin chrome exhaust pipes at the rear. Something which comes as a bit of surprise is position of the BMW badge, which is situated on the rear corner which is certainly different.

The watchword here is trendy and the X2 is a clear departure from its other SUV offerings firmly aimed at people who want a sharper/sportier SUV with some punchy engines to match the looks.

 

2019 BMW X2 Interior

Inside the X2 there’s the premium feel you expect from a BMW, its bit tighter for space than the more mainstream BMW X1 SUVand  in the rear it wouldn’t be ideal for three adults on long journeys. The boot is a bit smaller than the X1’s too, but only a tad, and its still bigger than some rivals. There are some clever storage options too, under the boot floor offers some clever storage space and there are storage nets too. You also get a 12v socket and tethering points in the boot.

The centrepiece of the dash is the infotainment system powered by BMWs iDrive platform, its one of the best infotainment systems on the market. Entry-level models get a 6.5-inch screen, whilst higher grade models get the bigger 8-inch screen, opt for the Tech Pack and you get the impressibe 10-inch screen. The functions can be operated via the rotary dial situated between the driver and front passenger seats which is very convenient and user-friendly, or you can use familiar touchscreen gestures directly on the screen.

One gripe here is although Apple CarPlay is offered for mirroring your iPhone, BMW have still resisted calls to add Android Auto support. Having said all of this, the iDrive platform and the native sat nav are excellent, especially if you opt for the bigger screen and there may little need for smartphone mirroring for most people.

There’s also the option of BMW’s Connected Drive that offers remote access and control to various functions of the vehicle via a companion smartphone app, with a built in sim card and internet access it can also give live weather and traffic information and forecasts.

 

2019 BMW X2 Engines

You get a choice of the front wheel drive petrol units or diesels with manual or automatic transmission and the option of xDrive (all-wheel drive). The engines are refined, and the diesels are especially appealing.

BMW expect the 2.0-litre xDrive 20d to be a big seller. It packs enough of a punch with 190PS of power an d400Nm of maximum torque. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in under 8 seconds with a  top speed of around 135mph.

The lower powered xDrive18d diesel offers the best economy figures; up to 52mpg (WLTP) - based on manual transmission and front-wheel drive, CO2 emissions are as low as 124g/km. Add automatic transmission/xDrive and the economy figures take a hit. In real terms the more powerful xDrive20d will not be much different in economy figures and packs more of a punch.

The cheapest petrol model is the X2 SE model with the sDrive18i SE (140 bhp) engine, it doesn’t feel quite as punchy as the diesels, 0-62mph is 9.6 seconds and it returns decent economy figures (up to 43mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 125g/km). The punchier sDrive20i 141 kW (192 bhp) petrol feels a fair bit nippier with 0-62mph figures as fast as 7.3 seconds and it can still return up to 39mpg depending on your configuration.

At the high performance end there will be a M35i model that will be quickest of the lot capable of taking you from 0-62mph in 5 seconds.

 

2019 BMW X2 Trim-Levels

The entry-level SE model is equipped with the much acclaimed iDrive infotainment system with sat nav, Bluetooth and live traffic and parking sensors. The Sport model adds a headlight cornering function, front sports seats and some dashes of exterior and interior black high-gloss trim.

M Sport models add heated front seats and the aerodynamically designed ‘M’ exterior styling and sports suspension. Inside there’s micro cloth and Alcantara upholstery with contrast stitching. The M Sport X model adds leather interior, satin finish roof rails and dashes of exterior satin trim.

All models have all the core features and BMWs premium build quality and engineering excellence.

Depending on your model, you can enhance and further equip your model with one or more of the optional packs. The Vision Pack for example adds folding ‘anti-dazzle’ door mirrors and a reversing camera and the Tech Pack which is particularly popular enhances the infotainment system with a larger 10-inch screen, BMW Navigation Plus, WIFI hotspot and the impressive head-up display.

Compare the latest new BMW X2 models and deals here.