10 BMW X2 Competitors to Consider

2019 BMW X2 ・ Photo by BMW

The BMW X2 takes the crossover SUV craze in another direction, one that puts more emphasis on style and less emphasis on utility. It makes the case that a tall, all-wheel-drive vehicle doesn’t have to look utilitarian and truck-like. Instead, it can be as attractive and expressive as a European coupe.

It might be a niche of a niche, or it might be a market that will continue to build. But either way, several manufacturers don’t have a direct answer to the X2. At the same time, they offer very attractive subcompact and compact crossovers that could fill the bill in providing a stylish taller vehicle that offers all-wheel-drive capabilities and at least a middling degree of pure utility. Most of the vehicles on this list are from luxury manufacturers, but a couple come from manufacturers whose vehicles offer a logical alternative. Here are 10 BMW X2 competitors to consider.

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA

Even though the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the smallest of the brand’s crossovers, it is still a Mercedes-Benz through and through. From its exterior styling, to its interior accommodations, to its heavy emphasis on safety tech, it delivers many of the advantages of its larger siblings.

The GLA's turbocharged 2.0-liter 208-hp four-cylinder engine delivers good acceleration, aided and abetted by a very sophisticated 7-speed automatic transmission. It is slightly down on power versus the 228-hp X2, but it also is significantly lighter, so the vehicle’s overall performance and handling are similar. Interestingly, the stylish X2 has a larger cargo capacity.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2019 Acura RDX

If you are considering the X2, our guess is you are looking for sporty performance. If that is the case then the Acura RDX, all-new for the 2019 model year, is a reasonable alternative.

It has very strong performance credentials, starting with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 272 hp. With that kind of power on tap, the Acura crossover is one of the hottest vehicles in the class. The RDX also offers a 10-speed transmission, and the available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive does an excellent job of improving overall maneuverability. The infotainment system can be controlled by an innovative touchpad or voice-recognition software, and the system can be configured to suit your preferences.

Photo by Acura

2019 Audi Q3

We have to admit we are fans of Audi’s design, both inside and out. It’s more than good-looking, too; the interior is an ergonomic delight featuring very intuitive, easy-to-use controls.

As one might expect in this class, the Q3 crossover is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, similar to its competitors. In the Audi’s case, it offers 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of peak torque, both figures below the numbers offered by the X2. Despite that, though, the Q3 is a joy to drive with very responsive handling. The 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission works well, and the Q3 offers Audi’s famous quattro all-wheel drive. A number of electronic driving aids are available to add to your overall feeling of well-being.

Photo by Audi

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In terms of size, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio isn’t in the same class as the BMW X2. It’s actually one class up, but its price point (around $43,000 for the base model) is close enough to the X2’s for us to include it here because it checks some other boxes of importance.

First, it offers exceptionally attractive style, both exterior and interior, and it has a strong emphasis on over-the-road performance. In many ways, it feels like a very tall European sports coupe. Much of the sporty feel stems from the engine compartment. The Stelvio is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of peak torque, and the product of that is very responsive acceleration. The 8-speed automatic transmission suits the engine well, and the interior evokes the sense of the great Italian super-luxury marques.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

Infiniti QX30

The Infiniti QX30 might be considered a bargain buy among the luxury-brand models in this roundup. It shares both its basic structure and powertrain with the Mercedes-Benz GLA, but its base price is lower and it typically can be purchased at a significant discount.

The QX30 uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as the GLA, and it offers 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a 7-speed automatic that performs well. The QX30 does, however, differ from the GLA in its exterior and interior styling. From a functionality point of view, the QX30 suffers from the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, although its infotainment system otherwise is very easy to use.

Photo by Infiniti

2019 Lexus NX

Like a couple of other models on this list, the Lexus NX is a size up versus the X2 at about 10 inches longer than the BMW. At the same time, the NX feels small and handy on the road and in urban environs, so it is worth a look in this context. Frankly, its exterior styling is a bit of a separator versus other vehicles in the class; some love it, while others are less than enthusiastic. Inside, the NX is much more conventional, and the attractive interior works well.

Two engines are available: a conventional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offering 235 hp, or a hybrid powertrain that combines output from a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 194 total system horsepower. With its longer length versus the X2, there is plenty of room to carry both passengers and gear.

Photo by Lexus

2019 Mazda CX-3

Mazda seems to be turning away from its sporty image these days, but the CX-3 is among the sportiest of the small crossovers, which is why it is included on this list. Frankly, the CX-3 feels much more like a small hatchback than a crossover suv, but that sets it up to be a good competitor of the X2, although it does not come from a luxury manufacturer. Still, the Mazda has an interior that feels very much like a European luxury brand SUV, albeit on a small scale.

The engine is a 148-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder backed up by a 6-speed automatic transmission. It uses Skyactiv high-compression technology for excellent fuel economy, and though it has significantly less power than the X2, it also weighs 700 pounds less, so it’s still a good performer.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 takes crossover design in a new, interesting direction amidst a sea of lookalikes. For that reason alone, the XC40 is an alternative to the X2, but the XC40 offers other similarities, as well.

The base engine is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offering 248 hp, which gives it more accelerative oomph than the X2. And despite the fact Volvo traditionally puts special emphasis on safety, the XC40 is a very creditable performer, delivering plenty of fun-to-drive. XC40’s interior offers interesting options like eco-friendly cloth seating, and it is highlighted by a sizable center-mounted infotainment touchscreen.

Photo by Volvo

2019 MINI Countryman

MINI is a BMW-owned brand, so you might expect that the X2 and Countryman would have their similarities. That’s true of course, but equally important are their differences. For instance, the Countryman is offered with a 134-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, or a 189-hp four-cylinder engine. Neither of those has the motive force of the X2’s 228-hp powerplant, but you can get that very same engine in the top-level Countryman.

Of course, the Countryman sports the unique MINI exterior motif while giving some emphasis to the SUV side of the crossover equation. Further, the interior is pure MINI, not necessarily better or worse than the X2, but certainly different.

Photo by MINI

Land Rover Discovery Sport

No one can call the BMX X2 off-road-oriented, but if your tastes skew to that kind of fun, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is an interesting alternative. The Discovery Sport is Land Rover’s most affordable SUV, but it essentially is a size up from the diminutive X2. At the same time, it is so attractively styled that it easily can hold up its head in the X2’s company.

For those with a practical bent, it even has a tiny third row as an option for an occasional extra passenger or two. Power is certainly not an issue. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 237 hp, and that power is channeled through a thoroughly modern 9-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. Inside, the accommodations are attractive, though they feature a bit of British idiosyncrasy.

Photo by Land Rover