AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS7/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER9/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE8/10
Now in its second generation, the 2024 BMW X2 has been overhauled as a sportback version of the successful X1.
While both are based on the same platform, each has its own distinct vibe. In the case of the X2, BMW has delivered big style in a small package.
Styling: 9/10
The new X2 looks much better than the one it replaced, which was more like a hatchback than a crossover. It projects a stronger silhouette and has better proportions with a more upright grille, wider stance, and more athletic style overall. The sloping roofline and squared-off trunk might be divisive, but they give the X2 a sportier look to differentiate it from the X1, along with sharper body creases, more angular headlights, and even a more dramatic hood.
The X2 is very flashy for an entry in this segment and has much more style than almost anything else it competes with. I prefer the cleaner and more subdued styling of the X1, but if you’re looking for something more expressive, the X2’s design gives it plenty of personality.
Power: 9/10
The 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i has a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder under the hood with 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and the X2 has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that helps get it to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.5 seconds. The powertrain is smooth and offers plenty of passing power, though there’s a beat of hesitation when a strong burst of acceleration is called for. Should you want more immediacy, a more powerful M-lite is available.
Driving Feel: 8.5/10
The new X2 feels slightly less engaging to drive than the previous one, which drove like a true hot hatch. There’s still a sense of confidence here, and the way it handles is a highlight, but the extra height and softer steering dull the experience a bit. I wish the steering was crisper and the power delivery was punchier, but flipping into sport mode helps sharpen responsiveness.
The X2’s optional adaptive suspension balances sportiness and comfort well. It can confidently tackle a fast corner while also being relatively comfortable over broken or rough roads. Some drivers might find it a bit stiff, but the payoff in handling is well worth it.
The X2’s ignition stop-start system feels quite rough and the timing never seems right, so it becomes disruptive. There also isn’t a button to turn it off quickly or an option to disable it permanently. Instead, users must navigate through the touchscreen menu to deactivate it, and it defaults to being enabled every time the engine is cycled.
Practicality: 8/10
While the X2 doesn’t have as much cargo capacity as the X1, it’s still more practical than its predecessor. The trunk offers 560 L of space, which expands to 1,470L with the 40/20/40 split-folding second row stowed. The liftover height of the trunk is a bit higher than it should be, and it doesn’t have the nicely squared-off tailgate opening as the X1, but unless you’re hauling clunky boxes or weirdly shaped items all the time it’s perfectly fine for mall runs or weekend trips.
The cabin has many cubbies for stashing small items, the door pockets are big enough for water bottles, and the big shelf under the armrest in the front is big enough for a purse or bag.
Comfort: 8/10
Similarly, the X2 doesn’t have as much headroom as the X1, but it’s still much roomier than it used to be. The X2 is bigger in nearly all dimensions, but taller rear-seat passengers might still struggle to get comfortable with the tighter headroom. While there’s a cutout in the headliner in the back, even average-sized occupants will inevitably bump their heads. Taller passengers might have to crane their necks to look out the window, so the roomier X1 might be the better pick if you have passengers often.
Features: 9/10
Plenty of the “big SUV” features that BMW has in its larger, more expensive vehicles make their way into the entry-level X2. While most of it is optional, it’s still cool to see features like the ability to use your phone or smartwatch as a key, a head-up display, an interior camera, automated parking assistants, augmented reality navigation, integrated dashcams, ambient lighting, and more.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections are standard, and an upright wireless phone charger works quickly and will remind you if you’re about to get out without grabbing your phone from the charger first. If you’re using Google Maps, you can see navigation instructions in the instrument display screen and the head-up display.
Safety: 9/10
BMW now offers most of its advanced safety equipment as standard, including blind-spot monitoring. Other standard highlights include forward collision mitigation with cyclist and pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, junction-turn assist, safe exit assist, and more.
Adaptive cruise control is optional and adds a traffic jam assistant that allows hands-free driving in tedious traffic at speeds slower than 60 km/h.
User-Friendliness: 7.5/10
When I drove the redesigned X1 last year, I was happy with its intuitive and user-friendly new infotainment system, so I was expecting a similar experience with the X2, seeing as they’re so closely related. The X2, however, introduces an entirely new Android-based operating system, and it feels like user-friendliness has taken a step backward.
The new infotainment software is less intuitive to use and involves a lot of swiping and digging through menus to find what you’re looking for. The menu structure also isn’t as streamlined as it used to be. The process of doing something as simple as resetting the trip meter is weirdly convoluted. All the controls are also centralized in the touchscreen, and I wish there were more physical buttons for climate control, but I’m happy that the system has a variety of useful shortcuts and a home button to help make navigating it slightly easier. It also helps that smartphone mirroring is so well integrated, which means less distraction from flipping back and forth between screens. All 2024 X1s also get this new Android-based infotainment system.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i is officially rated for 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.1 on the highway, and 8.5 combined. It requires premium-grade gas. Over 533 km of mixed driving, the X2 was returning a decent 8.6 L/100 km, which is impressive considering the cold weather and winter tires, but also that I wasn’t trying particularly hard to get the best fuel economy.
Value: 8/10
The 2024 BMW X2 starts at $48,800, a decent entry-level price for a BMW, especially since it’s so stylish and feels like no corners were cut in quality. The cuts had to be somewhere, however, and it happened with features. Most of the best features are part of pricey upgrade packages, and this tester had over $10,000 in options, taking it firmly out of “entry-level” territory. But if you’re willing to forego some of the fancy (but sometimes gimmicky) features, an X2 with no added options shouldn’t feel like a punishment. The quality is excellent, and the X2 feels as luxurious as its badge suggests.
The Verdict
The 2024 BMW X2 is a well-rounded crossover that puts style first. If you prefer a bolder and more flashy SUV and don’t mind sacrificing some practicality, then the X2 is the one to pick, but if you regularly have passengers or need maximum space, the X1 is the more practical SUV. What I like most about the X2 is that it’s flashier than anything else it competes with and (for a price) offers a lot of features found in more expensive vehicles.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 241 hp @ 4,500–6,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1,500–4,000 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 9.7 / 7.1 / 8.5 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 560 / 1,470 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i |
| Base Price | $48,800 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,480 |
| Price as Tested | $61,530 |
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Optional Equipment
$10,150 – Premium Enhanced Package, $6,000; M Sport Package, $2,500; 20-inch wheels, $500; Aluminum Trim with Graphic Accents, $250; Vegas Red Metallic, $900
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