The BMW X2 is a household crossover in a humorous hat. For its second technology, the all-new 2024 model places a jazzy roofline and offended lumps styling on prime of a platform shared with the X1. It’s nearly as wild wanting as a automobile may be, whereas nonetheless conforming to the requirements of the compact SUV phase. With the X2 M35i, you’ll get an additional sprint of sportiness to go together with that styling—however solely a splash.
When the brand new X2 goes on sale within the US later this yr, together with its platform sibling, the all-new Mini Countryman, the X2 will are available two flavors, the bottom X2 xDrive28i and the sport-oriented X2 M35i xDrive you see right here. The M-ified X2 will get efficiency tweaks together with adaptive dampers, quicker-ratio steering, a four-tipped multi-mode exhaust system, and 20-inch wheels. Huge M Compound brakes, with 15.2-inch entrance rotors, are non-compulsory, as are 21-inch wheels. The illuminated kidney grille is, after all, now commonplace on M fashions.
| Fast Specs | 2024 BMW X2 M35i |
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder |
| Output | 312 Horsepower / 295 Pound-Ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.2 Seconds |
| Base Worth | $52,395 |
| On-Sale Date | March |
Each the xDrive28i and the M35i use the identical primary engine, a Miller-cycle turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The bottom mannequin makes 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, rising to 312 hp and 295 lb-ft within the M35i. A seven-speed dual-clutch computerized and all-wheel drive make up the one out there driveline possibility. (Diesel and EV variations of the X2 will probably be out there in Europe.)
For 2024, the “sports activities exercise coupe” grows a full 7.6 inches longer, 0.8 inches wider, and a pair of.5 inches taller than the earlier technology. The fastback X2 is definitely 2.6 inches longer than the extra conventional-looking (and mechanically similar) X1.
Just like the X1, the X2 has barely any buttons or knobs on the dashboard, and no middle stack to talk of—all local weather, stereo, and navigation features are dealt with by the big curved touchscreen taking over two-thirds of the width of the sprint. The outdated iDrive selector knob is useless; All inputs are actually digital (as in, your finger on the touchscreen) or dealt with by voice management. A small management pod on the floating armrest holds the engine begin/cease button, the gear-selector toggle, and, fortunately, a bodily quantity knob.
Execs: Minimalist Cabin, Highly effective Engine
The result’s a dashboard that embraces daring minimalism. Sadly, on my take a look at drive, that huge arcing display was a bit sluggish to reply to contact or voice instructions. Maddeningly, the GPS lagged a superb two seconds behind the automotive’s place on the highway, which made navigating site visitors circles unnecessarily hectic. Right here’s hoping this was only a quirk of the preproduction automotive I drove.
BMW says the M35i will do 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, a full second faster than the bottom X2. Past that, don’t anticipate the hardcore M expertise right here. The M35i’s steering is exact however electronically numb. The adaptive sport suspension feels barely busy even in Consolation mode, firming up additional in Sport. Regardless of having one exhaust tip for every cylinder, a lot of the engine noise you’ll hear comes from the stereo system, which provides artificial verve to the marginally moany tone of the two.0-liter engine.
Don’t get your hopes up in regards to the dual-clutch both: The transmission takes an age to reply to instructions from the paddle shifters. You’re higher off toggling the gearbox over to S and letting it shift for itself on a winding nation highway. An extended pull of the downshift paddle engages Sport Increase, which throws the engine, transmission, and suspension into their most aggressive modes for 10 seconds—sufficient to cross a dawdling bus on a snaky two-lane, as I discovered a couple of instances throughout my Portuguese drive.
As for the styling? It’s undoubtedly a departure from the remainder of BMW’s SUV lineup. The X2 is someway bulbous and angular on the identical time. It appears prefer it’s one technology superior from the X1, extra in step with the styling language solid by the outrageous and difficult BMW XM.
Cons: Love-It-Or-Depart-It Seems, Lazy Transmission, Uninteresting Steering
The gloss black accent connecting the X2’s kidney grilles to the decrease air dam doesn’t actually work for me, and at a fast look, the taillights look extra harking back to Mazda than something Bavarian. However the place the final X1 and X2 have been indistinguishable from sure angles, there’s no approach you’ll mistake this X2 for its boxy brother. And credit score the place it’s due: That is the one small crossover I can identify that has a Gurney-flap rear spoiler.
The 2024 BMW X2 M35i xDrive goes on sale within the US in March. Pricing begins at $52,395 together with the vacation spot payment. The X2 xDrive28i begins at $42,995.
