BMW X2 2018 Review

Punchy turbo power

The turbocharged engine mounted across the nose of the BMW X2 is a lively, refined unit, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving to the front wheels. Performance is better than expected from a '20i' engine, which has been a little weak-kneed in past applications.

About the only occasion the powerplant in the 2018 BMW X2 feels lacklustre is in Eco-Pro mode, when the dual-clutch transmission is holding higher gears down to about 1100rpm and the engine is labouring noticeably.

At 100km/h the engine is running at just under 2000rpm in Sport mode, but Eco-Pro brings the revs back down to roughly 1600rpm to save fuel. Consumption over the two-hour drive program, with plenty of constant-speed touring and frequent 'flat-to-the-floor' use of the throttle resulted in a commendable final figure of 7.2L/100km posted by the trip computer.

A drag coefficient of 0.28Cd plays a significant role reducing fuel consumption on the open road, without any help from active grille shutters.

Shift paddles provide sequential gear changes immediately, and with just a touch of aggression when the X2's Drive Experience system is set to Sport rather than Comfort or Eco-Pro. Even when shifting manually, the transmission will kick down of its own volition and also shift up automatically to the next gear, at redline. The transmission is very capable and a great match for the engine. It really has few if any unfortunate traits we would normally associate with a dual-clutch transmission.

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Compromised ride and noise suppression

BMW has gone to considerable lengths to tailor the X2's underpinnings for optimal driving involvement. Special Pirelli P-Zero run-flat tyres have been developed for the SUV, negative camber at the front is increased by 20 minutes (a third of a degree) and the X2 uses a linear-rate steering system, rather than the variable-rate system of the X1.

Spring and damper rates are different too, and the anti-roll bars feature 'pre-loaded' bushings, with a plastic collar to apply pressure to the rubber ahead of the body rolling. For Australia, the X2 also rides on a sports suspension set-up 10mm lower than the X1's.

All of that does come at a price, however, with the X2's agility and corner-carving ability offset by ride properties that are not as compliant as some would prefer. The X2's ride was frequently jiggly and busy over country-road imperfections, but in Sport mode the X2 did deliver strong cornering ability. The adaptive dampers fitted were a $400 option - and it's arguably money well spent for X2 buyers planning to spend more time on country roads.

Normally the X2 would come with standard M Sport suspension (with fixed-rate damping). This, according to the company's dynamics expert out here for the launch, is broadly on par with the firmest (Sport) setting for the adaptive dampers. In other words, the X2's ride quality will be firm, irrespective of either suspension setup chosen.

Tyre noise predominated on some coarse-chip sections of bitumen, drowning out the powertrain at touring speeds. The road noise did settle down on smoother surfaces.

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Packaged with personality

The stand-out X2 at the launch was one trimmed in 'Magma' leather. In hue and saturation it's like a cross between Sherrin-footy red and Day-Glo orange. BMW offers the X2 in a range of colour and material trim options, most of which looked good, although our test vehicle's combination of 'Mocha' and black leather, with optional ($220) Fineline woodgrain veneer and Pearl Chrome accents looked rather sombre after the Magma look.

Regardless of the upholstery and colours chosen, inside the X2 is a pleasant place to be. The hip point was just about ideal for access to the X2, front or rear and the driving position was very hard to fault - with legible instruments and controls placed in prominent locations. If there is one niggle, it is the driver's side exterior mirror, which wouldn't adjust outboard far enough to eliminate the blind spot on that side. And the X2 doesn't have a blind-spot monitoring system, since BMW's chosen means of monitoring blind spots is a radar-based system - something unavailable in the X2.

The front seats feature firm cushions and side bolstering for proper support over longer touring ranges. BMW has redesigned the seats from the X1 for firmer cushioning in the base and squab for the X2 application. As part of the $2700 Comfort package option fitted to the vehicle tested, the seats came with full electric adjustment, including the side bolsters and lumbar adjustment. Also bundled in with this option were anti-dazzle exterior mirror on the driver's side, front-seat heating and position memory function.

Other options fitted to the test vehicle were: metallic paint ($1190), Dakota leather upholstery ($1950), launch package ($4000), adaptive suspension ($400), Sun protection glazing ($500) and the woodgrain/Pearl Chrome combination ($220).

The launch package comprises a panoramic sunroof, anti-dazzle mirrors, head-up display, wireless charging for mobile phone and Navigation Plus. All up, the options added $10,940 to the price of the X2 ($55,900) for a total price of $66,860 before on-road costs.

On that point, BMW states that the standard X2 is fitted with features additional to the base-model X1 specification (X1 sDrive18i), not least of all the four-cylinder engine in lieu of the three-cylinder. It also rides on larger wheels and features Alcantara seat trim rather than 'leather-look' upholstery.

Additionally, the X2 comes as standard with dual-zone climate control and ambient lighting. So while the X2 is $10,000 more than the entry-level X1, it has the equipment to justify that diference, and it's priced just $1300 higher than the comparable X1.

BMW has specified iDrive 6 as standard in the X2, but there's no Android Auto functionality, and CarPlay will cost the X2 buyer $493 more - and more still if Luxury Car Tax applies. BMW argues that iDrive 6 offers better functionality than CarPlay.

The 2018 BMW X2 is roomy in the rear, even for taller occupants over six-foot/180cm. There are adjustable vents in the rear for kids, and cup-holders in the fold-down centre armrest, but no USB port back there. In fact, there was only one USB port in the whole car, which does seem like an oversight in a vehicle likely to be purchased by cashed-up tech heads - with kids/friends to transport in the back seat.

With its shorter rear overhang, the X2 can't beat the boot space of the X1, but comes close at 470 litres. The low roofline at the rear leads to the boot feeling claustrophobic, especially with the parcel shelf in place, but there's no spare wheel of any kind under the floor, due to the X2 riding on run-flats. Nor is there a tyre-repair kit, for the same reason. As a consequence of that, there's more space in the vacant tyre well below the fold-up floor.

Yanking a cord on each squab will lay the triple-split folding seat almost flat, for added load capacity and the means of accommodating longer items when the rear seat isn't in use by passengers.

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Safety in numbers

BMW stresses that the X2 is not equipped with autonomous emergency braking, within the strict definition of the term. But the X2 will detect pedestrians on the road ahead and will reduce speed if the driver takes no action to avoid the pedestrian. It won't come to a complete halt though, and the system is camera-based, rather than the more sophisticated radar system of the larger X3.

Through use of materials technology, the X2's body is 10 per cent stiffer than the X1's, BMW claims, and that's one reason the X2 has achieved a five-star ANCAP rating. But the X1 was tested in 2015, which means the X2 - a new vehicle in 2018 - is tested in accordance with a three-year old protocol.

That aside, there's little doubt the X2 has the right credentials to protect its occupants from harm in all but the worst of scenarios. And it combines a level of flair with decent driving dynamics in a quite functional package. The X2 won't necessarily be a break-out hit for BMW - not with E-PACE and XC40 also about to hit town - but it will provide some additional impetus for the brand's sporty SUV image.

2018 BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport X pricing and specifications:
Price: $55,900 (plus on-road costs) / $66,860 (as tested)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 141kW/280Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 138g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP, based on X1)