The all-new BMW X2 is the first of its name. It’s a bit of a halfway point between the BMW X1 and the X3, as its name would suggest, and it’s sportier than both. It’s designed to be the SAV for BMW enthusiasts who need some extra space but don’t want to sacrifice too much fun or style in the name of practicality. So the BMW X2 was born and it most certainly gives up some actual practicality in the name of style and performance. The X2 will likely be very popular among young customers, who will now be excited to know that the BMW X2’s online configurator has just gone up on BMWUSA.
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Based on the same UKL architecture that underpins the BMW X1, the X2 is a front-wheel drive based BMW crossover that is available with xDrive all-wheel drive. In America, the only model available will be the BMW X2 xDrive28i. That means it will only be all-wheel drive ‘Stateside and it will only come with the brand’s 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s the same B48 engine as in the X1, so it makes the same 228 hp and uses the same Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox, though it could be getting BMW’s new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that’s being used in MINIs.
What’s surprising about the X2 is that it’s actually kind of expensive. While the base model starts at $38,400, it quickly balloons into the mid-$40k range with options. Especially if you want the M Sport X Design variant, because of course you do, which adds sportier looking touches and starts at $43,050. If you pick the Premium Tier of the M Sport X Design (which includes a Head-Up Display and Navigation), it starts off at $45,650. And that’s before options.
Thankfully, there are a lot of interesting color options for the BMW X2. Colors like Misano Blue, Sunset Orange and Dark Olive are all interesting and we’re thankful that BMW is giving such an interesting car some interesting colors. Personally, I’d go with Sunset Orange because I think it looks best with the X2’s plastic bumpers. On the inside, I’d also go with the Oyster Dakota Leather option, as the lighter color makes the interior feel a bit more spacious. The Fineline wood trim also looks good with that interior color.
As far as packages and options, I’d have to choose the Dynamic Handling Package, which brings sport seats and adaptive dampers. I would also get the driver’s assistance package because it’s the only way to get parking distance control, which is absurd but must be done. After all of that, my BMW X2 M Sport X Design costs $51,000. That’s far too much for a car like the BMW X2 but no one said style was cheap.
[Source: BMWUSA]
So what’s the deal with the M Sport trim level? It’s not shown as an option, only Regular and M Sport X options available.
I was never really sold on the styling (interior or exterior), but now, seeing the price? Hard pass.
That interior is a step backwards for BMW. It looks so, so cheap, and I drive a 2 series, so I know cheap interiors, much worse than the Q2 GLA and Evoke. And it’s way too expensive. This looks like an impending disaster. Where are the savings from moving the UKL platform? They aren’t to be found returned in a better interior or price. You’d have to be on meth to pick this over any of its competitors or the much better and almost the same price X3.
I had been waiting for the X2, having found the 2nd Gen X1’s looks not sporty enough. However with M Sport X trim and a decent options list, you’re into X3 prices ! For a car with basically the same interior as an X1 but less headroom and luggage… I can confirm that it looks great in the metal, having been to a private viewing, but sit at the wheel of a new X3 and you feel like you’re in a car worth at least 10 grand more.
How can it be a half-way point between the X1 and X3 when it is smaller than the X1? This is a useless vehicle that BMW should be ashamed to have made, but of course it will sell as most car buyers are idiots and will be attracted the the shininess of a new model instead of buying the X1 or X3.
Industry analysts reckon it will be a very slow seller due to price of its competitors and also better value of X1 and X3.
These comments are hilarious. BMW have been pricier than the competition since the 2002 yet they carp about cost. Then they compare it to the X3, a different vehicle in a different segment, in NO WAY does X2 compete with a 6 cyl. X3. X2 is reconfigured X1, which Car and Driver already cite as best in class. So congratulations to BMW for adding another volume model to their range, as with X4 and X6. And giving haters something to type about.