BMW X2 2024 review
Photo: Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The second-generation BMW X2 arrived in the UK in 2024 as a thoroughly reworked take on the compact premium coupé-SUV. Where the old car looked like a slightly raised hatchback, the new U10 model commits to the sloping-roofline coupé silhouette BMW has always promised, and it has grown in every direction in the process: it is even 54mm longer than the BMW X1 it shares its platform with. UK buyers could order the petrol car from launch at £39,365, with first deliveries landing in March 2024.
The petrol range is deliberately slim. The volume seller is the X2 sDrive20i, a front-wheel-drive model using a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance, producing 170bhp and 280Nm. It reaches 62mph in 8.3 seconds, tops out at 132mph and officially returns between 44.8 and 48.7mpg with CO2 from 131g/km. Above it sits the X2 M35i xDrive, a genuine M Performance model with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol making 300bhp and 400Nm, all-wheel drive, a mechanical limited-slip differential and a 5.4-second 0-62mph time. There is no diesel X2 in the UK — drivers wanting zero tailpipe emissions are pointed at the separate iX2.
Practicality is much improved over the old car. The sDrive20i offers 515 litres of boot space with the seats up, rising to 560 litres in the M35i, and the 40/20/40 split rear seats fold to create a long, flat load area. Inside, the cabin is shared with the X1 and built around the BMW Curved Display — a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster merged with a 10.7-inch central touchscreen running iDrive with Operating System 9. Every UK petrol X2 leaves the factory in M Sport trim, so LED headlights, a powered tailgate, parking sensors, a reversing camera, heated front seats and two-zone climate control are all standard.
Running costs fit the premium badge: the 131g/km CO2 keeps company-car tax in check for the sDrive20i, while BMW's standard three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty edges ahead of the mileage-capped cover from some rivals. The trade-offs are familiar from BMW's modern range — a firm ride on the M Sport suspension, a cabin that leans heavily on the touchscreen rather than physical buttons, and pricing that undercuts neither the Audi Q3 Sportback nor the Range Rover Evoque. As a stylish, well-equipped alternative to the X1 for buyers who value design over ultimate practicality, the new X2 makes a strong case.
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UK price from: £39,365
Specifications
| Engine | 1.5L three-cylinder turbo petrol, 48V mild hybrid |
| Power | 170 hp (sDrive20i); 300 hp (M35i xDrive) |
| Torque | 280 Nm (sDrive20i); 400 Nm (M35i xDrive) |
| 0-62 mph | 8.3 seconds (sDrive20i); 5.4 seconds (M35i xDrive) |
| Top speed | 132 mph (sDrive20i); 155 mph (M35i xDrive) |
| Transmission | 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive (sDrive20i); xDrive all-wheel drive (M35i xDrive) |
| Fuel economy | 44.8-48.7 mpg combined (sDrive20i); 34.4-36.7 mpg (M35i xDrive) |
| CO2 emissions | 131-143 g/km (sDrive20i); 174-187 g/km (M35i xDrive) |
| Boot space | 515 litres (sDrive20i); 560 litres (M35i xDrive) |
| Warranty | 3 years / unlimited mileage |
Features
- 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol with 48V mild-hybrid assistance (170bhp, 280Nm) in the sDrive20i
- X2 M35i xDrive performance flagship: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol (300bhp, 400Nm), all-wheel drive, 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds
- Seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox on all petrol models
- BMW Curved Display: 10.25-inch digital instruments and 10.7-inch touchscreen with iDrive and Operating System 9
- M Sport trim as standard: LED headlights, electric tailgate, parking sensors, reversing camera and Parking Assistant
- Heated front seats, two-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting
- 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats; 515-litre boot (sDrive20i) or 560 litres (M35i)
- Full driver-assistance tech: automatic emergency braking, cruise control, DAB digital radio, 6-speaker stereo and front/rear USB-C sockets
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £69.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £119.99 | Vented discs; pair |
| Oil filter | £14.99 | |
| Engine air filter | £24.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £27.99 | |
| 12V battery (AGM) | £149.99 | AGM type for start-stop and mild-hybrid system |
Pros
- Striking coupé-SUV styling that finally matches the X2's sporty promise
- Strong standard kit: even the entry M Sport wants for little
- Frugal enough for the class: up to 48.7mpg and 131g/km from the sDrive20i
- Genuinely quick 300bhp M35i flagship for drivers who want performance
Cons
- Pricier than mainstream rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage
- Firm ride on the standard M Sport suspension
- No diesel option for high-mileage UK drivers
- Touchscreen-heavy cabin with few physical buttons
