2018 BMW X2 Road Test and Review

2018 BMW X2 by Ron Sesions exterior front angle ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

BMW’s sleek new X2 is the smallest model in the brand’s vast "Sport Activity Vehicle" lineup, yet it doesn’t look small. An extended nose with a larger BMW twin-kidney grille, a low-slung roofline, and an abbreviated rear end combine to give the X2 an attractive sport wagon profile. The X2 is more than a foot shorter than the next-size-larger X3 and even 3 inches shorter than the entry-level X1 but manages to avoid looking truncated. That’s because unlike the X3 and larger BMW SUVs, the X2 springs from a different part of BMW’s product portfolio — sharing structural its underpinnings and basic layout with the front-drive X1 and the Mini brand’s largest offering, the Countryman.

Not to worry, though: You’d be hard pressed to confuse the BMW X2 with any Mini product, inside or out. Except perhaps you’ll notice that the X2 is easier to park, maneuver around tight spaces, and generally live with than larger offerings in an urban environment. The 2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i starts at (reasonable for a BMW) $38,400 plus a $995 destination charge. However, option packages can quickly raise the tally to north of $50K. The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty spans four years or 50,000 miles and includes roadside assistance.

Power Point

One way the BMW X2 differentiates itself from the Mini Countryman is under the hood. Whereas the Countryman has a 181-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder, the X2 is powered by a transverse-mounted 228-hp version of the same twin-scroll turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s in the larger, heavier X3.

Performance is perky, as the X2 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. Wheelspin isn’t an issue due to its standard xDrive all-wheel drive system and the Aisin eight-speed automatic transmission reels off quick, seamless shifts regardless of the driving situation. That said, the X2’s engine doesn’t sound as premium as in most other BMWs, with accessory drive whine at higher engine revs and a lack of any performance audio signature. EPA fuel economy estimates are a modest 21 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, 25 mpg combined. I saw 26 mpg in mixed suburban driving over a one-week period. Premium fuel is required.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Mission Control

One of the great aspects of sharing bones with the Mini Countryman is the X2’s relatively low seating position compared to other BMW SUVs. You don’t have to climb up to get in — just open the door and slide your butt in. With the engine mounted transversely (sideways), the transmission doesn’t protrude into the cabin, which accommodates the X2’s lower-set console and extra storage for the driver and front passenger.

One area the X2 could do better is cabin noise. Road noise from the grippy run-flat tires intrudes into the cabin over anything but glass-smooth roads, and the engine sound is not premium. Also, the cowl is fairly high, so you can’t see the nose of the car, while thick A-pillars and audio system tweeters combine with side mirrors to create blind spots.

Photo by Ron Sessions

iDrive Evolved

As with other new BMWs, infotainment and climate control functions can now be controlled via multiple methods. In addition to the standard iDrive control wheel on the console, the driver can use steering wheel buttons, voice commands, and the optional 6.5- and 8.8-inch touchscreen controls. Redundant knobs and buttons on the center stack enable quick and intuitive changing of volume, band, and station tuning without needing to scroll through layers of menus. There are eight radio presets. An in-car Wi-Fi hotspot is available as well.

As with other BMW SUVs, the X2’s interior layout is gorgeous with good quality materials throughout. The standard power front sport seats are all most drivers will need for hours of driving pleasure. The M SportX package (a $4,650 option) brings even firmer sport seats, with stiffer torso wings and thigh bolsters — all the better to keep you planted in the corners. Likewise, the X2’s standard heated leather-wrapped steering wheel is contoured for just-right grip, and its easy-to-read, no-nonsense analog gauges (configurable by the driver) and crisp, tactile controls maintain BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine reputation.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Optional Content

As with other German luxury brands, BMW puts a lot of desirable content in option packages. Navigation, remote services, and a head-up display reside in the $2,000 Premium package, while SiriusXM satellite radio, keyless entry, and a panoramic moonroof are part of the $4,650 M SportX package (which also includes a sport suspension). Other must-haves like the premium Harman Kardon audio system (a bargain at $875) and Apple CarPlay compatibility ($300) are available separately.

Another good-to-have feature is wireless charging, which will set you back an extra $500. Unlike in some other SUVs that put the inductive wireless charger in the front part of the console or exposed next to the shifter, the X2’s charger is tucked away out of sight inside under the center console armrest.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Room to Roam

Even though the X2 shares some of its structure with the little MINI Countryman, rear seat room is tolerable for two adults. As with the front seats, rear seat headroom is less than in the BMW X1, the X3, and even the Countryman due to the X2’s rakish roofline.

Still, the X2's transverse-mounted engine allows greater interior space than other configurations, so the X2’s rear legroom is actually more spacious than what's offered in the larger X3.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Latched Down

As with other SUVs, the BMW X2 is equipped with Isofix mounts to enable proper anchoring of a pair of child safety seats in the second row. It’s part of an extensive list of standard safety features that also includes dual front airbags, front-seat side impact airbags, and front and rear-seat overhead airbags.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Room for Stuff

Despite the X2’s sloping roofline and abbreviated tail, its standard power-operated rear hatch opens to welcome 21.6 cubic feet of cargo. That's more than in your average full-size sedan.

Lower the split rear seat — it doesn’t fold completely flat and instead ramps up slightly toward the front — and the X2 can swallow up to 50.1 cubic feet of stuff. Because the X2 uses run-flat tires, there is no spare, so a large bin under a door on the cargo load floor is available to stow items out of sight.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive

The BMW X2’s standard xDrive all-wheel drive provides excellent traction in all drive situations. The system defaults to front-wheel drive under favorable traction conditions and can transfer the engine’s drive torque to the rear wheels as necessary within 250 milliseconds via an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch — without any action from the driver.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Drive Modes

The driver can choose among gas-saving Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport settings via a drive mode selector switch on the console. All modes deliver a fun-to-drive experience, with Eco Pro leaning toward slower throttle response and earlier upshifts, and Sport toward quicker action on throttle tip-in, higher speeds in gears and later upshifts. The shock absorbers are not adjustable.

The X2’s electric power rack-and-pinion steering is quick but could use more of the tactile feel found in BMW’s larger rear-drive-based Ultimate Driving Machines. Steering effort is a bit heavy and artificial at speed upon initial turn-in coming off center. Impact harshness (as with most Minis) is fairly intrusive over bumps and ruts, especially with the optional 19-inch tires in the M sport suspension package. The standard 18-inch tires deliver a more forgiving ride and keep the basic fun-to-drive character of the X2 intact.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Driving Assistance

As with other BMWs, you’ll look forward to taking the wheel of the new X2. For those times when you can use a little help, there’s the $700 Driver Assistance package, which includes a lane-departure warning system, automatic high beams, speed limit information, and front collision and pedestrian warnings with automatic emergency braking for city driving.

Adaptive cruise control and a backup camera are standard, but also available is an optional Parking Assistant that helps the driver select and pull into parallel parking spaces.

Photo by Ron Sessions