It's hard to make good, cheap cars. Creating excellent entry-level models speaks volumes about automakers and where they are putting their investments. No matter if it's a luxury model or a mass market vehicle destined to be a rental lot darling, the cars and SUVs at the lowest end of the spectrum are the gateway drug to a brand. Automakers hope they'll convert customers to long-term brand devotees.
The 2024 BMW X2 spot utility vehicle (SUV) is one of those vehicles. It sits above only the X1 SUV in BMW's lineup and checks many boxes for potential buyers, capitalizing on the good that has trickled down courtesy of the rest of the lineup.
Redesigned and now in its second generation, the X2 has a more mature body design today than in the past. There's no question in the lineage between it, the X5 and X7. It's nearly 8 inches longer than the previous-generation X2, and nearly 2 inches longer than the X1.
They are most majorly differentiated from each other by their looks from the B-pillar rearward. There the X1 has a more upright back while the X2's fastback design dominates its look.
The 2024 BMW X2 M35i comes standard with all-wheel drive and a four-cylinder gasoline engine.
That power plant delivers 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, moving the SUV from zero to 62 miles per hour (mph) in 5.4 seconds. The balance provides a good amount of power without any chance of users being under- or overwhelmed unless their expectations are too high or low. For its class, the X2's oomph is on par.
The SUV has a seven-speed automatic transmission paired with the engine. This is the same transmission that is in the X1 and presented some quibbles a year ago. Here, it's executed relatively flawlessly under daily driver strain.
Portugal's windy winter weather presented plenty of opportunity to be blown around, but no rain to test the SUV's all-wheel drive. Around the curvy turns of the country's coast, from Cascais to Nazaré, the same route taken to test the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV on about a year ago, the X2 stuck to its lane nearly as well, even though it doesn't come with rear-wheel steering like the electric Merc.
Being behind the wheel, it's obvious that the SUV is a BMW. It's not as honed in as an M3 or M4, nor is it as loose as the X5, but steering is accurate. As tested in the X2 M35i variant, the SUV comes with an ultra thick, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel which seems a sporty bridge too far and completely unnecessary.
Still, this wheel is worlds better to use and navigate than its rival Mercedes-AMG steering wheel thanks to buttons and knobs over touch-sensitive surfaces. And, it seems no less classy for it.
The SUV's coupe-like back end lends itself to having a small rear window, and the X2 isn't an exception to this rule. Though it's far from useless, those who don't want to rely on cameras to back up and park may want to look elsewhere for a model with more visibility.
Surface materials, design and technology have all been updated in the new X2, delivering refinement previously reserved for BMW vehicles with much higher price points. It's by no means luxurious, but the X2 has appointments that would be right at home in any premium product, which is fitting of its price point.
The X2 M35i comes with sport seats that are reasonably comfortable for a full day of driving. They're not as sporty as what you'll find in M cars, nor should they be. A proper amount of stuffing, bolstering and adjustments make riding easy on the back and posterior.
America's version of the X2 has a centrally located 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.7-inch digital gauge cluster. The two screens are encased in one housing that is curved toward the driver.
With BMW 9 running in the background, the system is relatively unremarkable, but lethargic. Everything, including climate control, is run by the screen so when it glitches, as the tester's did on multiple occasions during the day of testing, it's a problem. Not only did the screen momentarily freeze, it would frequently forget which language it was supposed to be using, switching between German and English at will, and even reset itself after achieving the very undesirable "blue screen of death".
The X2 M35i starts at $51,400, which gets bumped up to $52,395 once destination and delivery fees are added. That's on-par with what its rivals cost, but still pricey. You can get a fully optioned Acura RDX, which is bigger than the X2, for nearly the same price, and it has a nicer interior. The similarly sized Cadillac XT4 tops out for about where the X2 starts.
Opting for the lower-powered X2 xDrive 28i may fulfill most customers who want a balance of budget-friendly appointments and style, but its not going to be nearly as zippy as the X2 tester.
The looks, appointments, and technology of the X1 and X2 fit right in with the offerings of their closest rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB. Pricing is nearly a match too. Where BMW loses is that it's not offering performance-focused or battery-electric versions of the X2 in the U.S., whereas Mercedes does with its GLB.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull leads the Autos team at Newsweek. She has written extensively about the auto industry for U.S. News & ... Read more
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