BMW iX2 xDrive30 2025 Review

The BMW iX2 is available as a single-motor eDrive20 driving the front wheels, priced from $84,700 plus on-road costs.

That’s a couple of grand up as part of a 2025 increase, although it still represents decent value.

It’s only a few grand more to get the iX2 xDrive30 tested here, priced from $87,600 plus ORCs.

Crucially that gets it below the luxury car tax (LCT) threshold that is the upper boundary for those wanting to leverage the government’s fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption that can save thousands annually when leasing an EV.

The BMW iX2 comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, smart key entry, a head-up display, dual-zone ventilation, adaptive dampers, and powered tailgate. There’s also Veganza trim (which sounds a lot better than imitation leather) and an M Sport kit that means wheels of at least 19 inches in diameter, a body kit and sports seats.

The iX2 xDrive30 tested here also get powered and heated front seats, blind spot warning and lane keep assistance, each of which is missing on the eDrive20. It’s yet another reason to splash the extra few grand on the additional performance and collect a few features along the way.

The iX2 also gets a charger to plug into a standard powerpoint as well as a 22kW Type 2 to Type 2 cable for public AC charging where a BYO cable is required.

The iX2 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high-voltage battery pack.

As with other BMWs service intervals are condition based, so can vary depending on driving conditions. A six-year, unlimited-kilometre pre-paid service pack is $2250.

There are various option packs, each of which could take the car past the LCT threshold (unless you’re an exceptional negotiator).

The main ones are an Enhancement pack ($4700) with metallic paint, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, massaging seats and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The M Sport Pro pack ($4900) adds 20-inch wheels, darkened lights, red brake callipers and seatbelts in the M Sport colours.

The BMW iX2 hasn’t been tested by ANCAP but comes with plenty of safety kit, starting with seven airbags (dual front, front side, side curtain and a centre front airbag).

There’s also autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, adaptive LED headlights and auto high beams.

The xDrive30 also gets front cross-traffic alert.

Dual screens (a 10.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment screen) curving into each other set the scene for the tech in the BMW iX2.

It’s all powered by Android Automotive behind the scenes but has a thoroughly BMW flavour as well as the latest connectivity, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The digital instrument cluster is clear and concise and allows the choice between three layouts, each able to have the information displayed in the centre customised.

There’s also a head-up display, also with three subtly different layouts.

Working your way around the central infotainment display is done purely from the touchscreen. At its heart are customisable tiles that allow you to keep commonly used apps on the home screen.

Delve deeper and there are dozens of apps and for the commonly used ones you can shortcut to them within the customisation menu.

That’s worth doing, because there are plenty in there that may not see a whole lot of use, so instead of scrolling to find the one you want you can easily find it within your favourites.

The iX2 also gets a 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging, the latter neatly incorporated into the centre console along with a bracket to stop the phone sliding around.

Plus the iX2 can take a recording going into a tricky parking spot or driveway, allowing you to let the car do the work when it comes time to reverse out.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 gets two electric motors making a combined 230kW and 494Nm.

The motors are the same 150kW/250Nm unit used in the single-motor eDrive20, although output from the battery and/or inverter limits the combined total to less than the total of the individual outputs.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 has a 64.8kWh battery, the same capacity as that used in the eDrive20. However, the additional weight and performance of the dual-motor xDrive means claimed WLTP range drops from 445km to 395km.

Expect more like 360km in real world driving, or less on a freeway.

When it comes time to charge the iX2 can take up to 22kW of AC charge, allowing a three-phase wallbox to top it up in three hours and 45 minutes. A more common 7.4kW single-phase wallbox takes more like 10 hours, still allowing for an easy overnight charge.

Fast DC charging can be done at up to 130kW (not particularly fast) for a 10-80 per cent charge in as little as 29 minutes.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 is obviously a lot quieter than the petrol-powered X2 alternatives. And it’s more responsive, too.

Having so much torque on tap the second you brush the throttle makes for a fun and perky machine. It’ll zip to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, although as with many EVs it feels slicker in everyday driving.

There’s always thrust when you need it and not having to wait for a gearbox to sort itself out means quick responses when disposing of city traffic.

The futuristic Hans Zimmer-created fake engine sounds add to the sense that pace is building swiftly (you can switch it off if it’s not your thing).

A single paddle on the left of the steering wheel gives a 10-second boost of sharper throttle response and a smidge more torque, which seems a tad gimmicky.

And having to delve into menus to choose between three levels of regenerative braking isn’t as easy as it could be, although at least there’s a more aggressive B (for brake) mode accessible within the drive selector.

There’s a solidity and planted feel that sets the scene for a car focused on the driver.

Steering is sharp and well weighted. There’s oodles of grip and associated reassurance when you dial up the pace.

The suspension is taut, though, which makes for an occasionally choppy ride.

Sport mode tightens the dampers slightly, although it’s subtle; in any mode it’s clear the emphasis is on agility over outright comfort.

A choice of drive modes allows for tweaking of the suspension, steering and throttle response.

Curiously you can’t choose your own settings; if you want the firmer damper settings, for example, it is linked with the Sport mode that also applies sharper throttle responses.

The BMW iX2 is not designed to go off-road, its all-wheel-drive system more about making life easier on slippery bitumen or snow.

There’s also no spare wheel, which also naturally limits rough road ambitions.

As with the driving experience there’s very much a driver focus in the BMW iX2 xDrive30. Front seats hug reassuringly and the leather-look trim does a very convincing job of looking like the real thing.

Like many modern BMWs there’s a chunky rim to the steering wheel that may not suit dainty hands.

You can tailor the look and colours with different materials.

Space is terrific up front but tightens the further rearward you go.

The back seat has modest legroom and headroom is encroached on by the coupe-inspired roof that falls away towards the rear.

That sloping roofline also takes its toll on rear vision.

A great phone holder is indicative of some useful storage areas peppered throughout the cabin.

However, the centre console only flips open to the passenger side and the slim covered space isn’t broad enough for larger smartphones, limiting its usefulness.

Boot space in the xDrive30 is respectable at 525 litres, although this falls short of the 560L in the eDrive20. That’s because the rear-mounted motor of the all-wheel-drive version takes up the under-floor storage of the front-drive model.

Like all luxury cars there’s a price tag attached to the badge, but the BMW iX2 xDrive30 is arguably the sharpest value among its peers. It’s also sharp value among petrol-fed alternatives.

That it can leverage the FBT exemption adds to its already great value.

Throw in solid dynamics and performance and a sharply presented cabin and it mounts a solid case. And the only logical reason to pick the marginally more affordable eDrive20 over the xDrive30 is the additional 50km of range.

Just be prepared to bounce around a bit due to the occasionally abrasive ride. And get used to the tech before you get under way.

2025 BMW iX2 xDrive30 at a glance:
Price: $87,600 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 230kW/494Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 64.8kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion
Range: 395km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18.5kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

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