The joy of driving has long been a byword with German car giant BMW.
And its new second generation X2 compact crossover – the first offered also in all-electric iX2 form – really is a bit of a headbanger. But not always for the reasons I fear the German carmaker may have hoped.
I went to Portugal for the international launch and the first chance to drive examples of both versions on sale in the UK, ahead of first deliveries from March. So what happened when we put the X2 and iX2 head-to-head?
The greener option: Ray Massey drives the new all-electric BMW iX2 in Portugal
The green but not so green option: The petrol-powered BMW X2 M35i with a 2.0 litre engine
The X2 and iX2 options
Here’s the background on BMW’s baby SUV coupe.
The new BMW X2 range starts from £40,515 on the road for the 170hp front-wheel drive X2 sDrive20i, which combines a frugal three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol engine with a 48v mild hybrid set up. This allows it to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 8.3 seconds up to a top speed of 132mph.
I drove the more powerful 300hp M TwinPower turbo-charged 2.0 litre four-cylinder X2 M35i xDrive all-wheel drive model (in a distinctive metallic green paint that would make Kermit the frog blush) costing from £49,430. This cuts down the 0 to 62mph acceleration time to a feistier 5.4 seconds and raises the top speed to 155mph.
A diesel option is not being offered in the UK but an electric one is.
The first all-electric BMW iX2 starts from £51,615 for the 204hp eDrive20 M Sport. This covers 0 to 62mph in 8.6 seconds up to a top speed of 106mph and has a claimed range of between 273 miles and 297 miles.
Here again, I drove the more powerful all-wheel drive version, the 313hp BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport, which costs an even heftier £57,445. This cuts 0 to 62mph acceleration down to 5.6 seconds with a top speed governed at 112mph.
Accentuating speed and performance means sacrificing some range, but it’s still a decent 259 to 266 miles.
The main tell that the iX2 is electric is the blanked off grille but the two cars are largely interchangeable
Ray drove the all-wheel drive electric version, the 313hp BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport which costs a hefty £57,445
The X2 and iX2: A bit of a headbanger
Before I begin with the meat of the X2 drives, here’s a note to the big brains at BMW.
Headbanger Number 1: I suspect I am not alone in finding BMW’s ever-longer alpha-numeric jargon-laden jumble of letters, numbers and acronyms for their models increasingly confusing and frustrating to deal with.
Computer and banking log-in passwords are easier to remember than some of the designations coming out of Munich.
And I’m afraid it induces in me levels of stress not encountered since doing algebra and quadratic equations in school maths lessons.
I’m sure the BMW boffins can come up with a very logical and well thought out rationale for these levels of complexity. But the truth is, it all risks getting lost in translation. And I speak fluent German.
So less alphabetty spaghetti please, and a return to simpler, more meaningful and easily comprehensible names.
The interior is typical high BMW quality with a smart dashboard including a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch central display – and upfront there is plenty of room
It’s not so roomy in the back though, thanks to the SUV coupe styling. Despite BMW’s claims of more interior space, getting in and out of the rear of the car was difficult
Headbanger number 2: BMW describes the new X2 as a ‘sports activity coupe’ owing I suppose to the steeply raked rear, which aims to give a more aerodynamic and sporty look.
This it largely achieves, helped by a large but not monstrously proportioned trademark kidney-shaped grille at its prow.
There’s plenty of room for the driver and front passenger to sit in comfort on sports seats, with a floating armrest between that also houses gear selection and hazard warning lights.
But while this fastback coupe styling may please the designers, it has a definite practical impact on occupants at the back.
BMW insists the new version has increased in size and interior space – and I couldn’t complain about the driver and front passengers’ lot – but it really is a tight squeeze in the rear.
Not just inside the car. Actually getting into the back seat means keeping your head down or hitting the roof. Literally.
I gave mine a nasty whack when I failed to duck down low enough to get in. And it’s the same getting out. I’m sure over time the threat of a bruised and battered head will help you adapt. But really?
This is surprising, as BMW says new five-seater vehicle’s height is 64mm up on its predecessor, that all occupants benefit from increased shoulder and elbow room, and that knee-room in the second row of seats has been expanded by 25mm.
The iX2 has 525 litres of boot space while the petrol X2 has 560 litres – so opt for the petrol if you don’t pack light
What else do buyers get?
Standard equipment (on all but the M35i) includes: 19-inch alloy wheels, an automatic tailgate, and front heated Sport Seats. There’s a smart dashboard including a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch central display with lots of electronic fripperies.
The motor-sport-inspired M35i petrol has larger 20-inch ‘M’ and lots of styling tweaks including alcantara trim and anthracite headlining. Tweaks suspension and sport brakes , a rear spoiler, a glowing kidney grille, and contrast stitching .
If you feel you’ve still not spent enough there are various individual and bundled packages of ‘extras’ ranging from £1,680 for a technology pack, £1,710 for an M Sport Pro package, and £2,890 for a Tech package.
What are the X2 and iX2 like to drive?
Out on the road the electric iX2 – that’s the 313hp (take a deep breath) ‘BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport’ – was a decent and adequate enough drive with a fair amount of power for overtaking that would suit small family.
It’s nimble enough thanks to the all-wheel drive, but it it doesn’t exactly set the world alight. Executed with the usual German engineering precision, it lacks any real passion. Drivers seeking more engagement may be disappointed.
It does have that electronic soundrack created by Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer though.
The petrol-powered ‘X2 M35i xDrive’ felt more muscular and exuded a bit more attitude thanks to the 300hp M TwinPower turbo-charged 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine.
Much as I’m a fan of electric cars, at the risk of aiding and abetting killing the planet, I’d probably choose the petrol version of the two BMWs tested – and save myself nearly £6,000.
Will it fit in my garage? BMW X2 and all-electric iX2
On sale: Now – first deliveries March
Price range: From £40,515 to £57,445
Doors: 5
Seats: 5
Length: 4,554mm
Width: 1,845mm
Height: 1,560mm
Wheelbase: 2,692mm.
BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport
Price: from £57,445
Propulsion: Two electric motors
Power: 230kW / 313bhp
Weight: 2,095kg
Drive: All-wheel drive
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Emissions: Zero
Range: 259 miles to 266 miles
Charging times: Full charge at domestic 11kWh wallbox in 6.5 hours and to 80 per cent at DC fast charging – 29 minutes
Turning circle: 11.9m
Ground clearance: 167mm
Luggage capacity: With rear seats up – 525 litres, with rear seats folded – 1,400 litres
BMW X2 M35i xDrive
Price: from £51,615
Propulsion: 2.0 litre M TwinPower turbocharged petrol engine
Power: 300bhp
Drive: All-wheel drive
Transmission: Automatic 7-speed Steptronic with double clutch
0-62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Co2 Emissions: 181 to 174g/km
Fuel consumption: 34.0 to 36.7 mpg
Fuel tank capacity: 54 litres
Turning circle: 11.7m
Ground clearance: 191mm
Luggage capacity: With rear seats up – 560 litres, with rear seats folded – 1,470 litres
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