BMW X2 M35i xDrive 2024 Review – International

Kicking off the all-new 2024 BMW X2 family later this year will be the entry xDrive20i priced from $75,900 plus on-road costs, which represents a $10,000-plus increase over the gen-one equivalent.

New to the family is a pair of iX2 EVs costing $82,900 and $85,700 for the eDrive20 and xDrive30 respectively, while the headline-act X2 M35i xDrive is priced from $92,900 (all plus ORCs).

All versions of the new-generation 2024 BMW X2 get a comprehensive suite of technology including BMW’s Operating System 9.0 which offers an impressive 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster joined seamlessly to a 10.7-inch central touch-screen behind a continuous curved sheet of glass.

The latest version offers a range of cutting-edge applications and services with notable additions for the update including in-car gaming using smartphones as controllers and BMW’s app that allows the car to be accessed and started using only a smartphone.

There’s also a large, sharp colour head-up display (HUD), wireless smartphone mirroring for both Android and Apple devices, wireless charging pad and ambient colour cabin lighting.

Sporty M Sport front seats are firm and supportive with deep bucketing and have cool illuminated M badging while all seats get Vernasca leather upholstery.

A 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo is also standard fare for the M35i.

On the outside, the new X2 gets a unique exterior treatment to differentiate it from the X1 including an eye-catching illuminated ‘iconic glow’ kidney grille, but the M35i goes further with a sportier bodykit and blacked-out trims in gloss.

It also gets 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive M Sport suspension that’s lowered 15mm, M Sport brakes with blue callipers and 385mm discs at the front, and a panoramic glass roof.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is yet to test the new 2024 BMW X2 but it’s likely, as was the case with the previous version, that the model will share the credentials of the mechanically and technologically almost-identical BMW X1.

And the latest BMW X1 has received a maximum five-star safety rating from both ANCAP and Euro NCAP, based on 2022 testing protocols, so that bodes well for the X2.

All versions of the new X2 are equipped with a wide range of safety systems including adaptive cruise control that works down to stop-and-start traffic, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road user protection, a 360-degree manoeuvring camera and 3D view, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with collision avoidance, parking assistant and LED headlights with automatic dipping.

Also on board is the BMW Drive Recorder, which uses the various cameras placed around the car to record footage much like a 360-degree dash cam.

BMW’s Operating System 9 forms the centrepiece of the technology offering in the new 2024 BMW X2 with the impressive Curved Display.

The company’s famous iDrive has evolved into an even more intuitive system of accessing the various applications and functions with even more flexibility.

The new personal assistant allows natural and conversational voice commands, while the touch-screen combines with versatile steering wheel controls for ease of use, although we do miss the traditional iDrive scroll wheel, which is still employed in other BMW models.

A pair of USB-C ports provide charging in the front row along with a 12-volt socket and a clever wireless device charging pad that has a special clip to hold the phone at a useful angle rather than flat, which can be difficult to see. The pad also incorporates a cooling fan.

There’s another pair of USB-C points for second-row occupants and a second 12-volt socket in the boot for powering a fridge, for example.

As BMW increasingly becomes known for its range of web-based services and features, the X2 is fitted with its own eSIM for 5G internet connectivity. It allows access to BMW’s Connected Drive, which is BMW-speak for subscription services including remote engine start, for example.

Pricing and availability of services is available at BMW.com.au but one month of free subscription is offered with the new X2.

Digital Premium is also offered, providing access to more new digital features including on-board games, music and video streaming, and news services.

Under the bonnet of the new 2024 BMW X2 M35i is the latest version of the Bavarian brand’s B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

While European versions of the high-performance engine are limited to 221kW by emissions standards, Australia gets a more aggressive 233kW tune and the same 400Nm.

Officially, BMW claims that’s enough to do the milestone 0-100km/h dash in 5.4 seconds, which is half a second slower than the previous X2 performance hero.

In practice, there’s little detectable difference off the line.

The manufacturer claims the 2024 BMW X2 M35i xDrive is capable of returning a combined average fuel economy of between 7.7 and 8.0L/100km.

During our test it surprisingly came close, despite a combination of more sedate driving as well as some enthusiastic enjoyment of the engine and chassis, which highlights the importance and accuracy of new WLTP fuel economy testing.

With an M in its name, expectations are understandably high for the flagship 2024 BMW X2 M35i’s dynamic ability, but this latest addition to the M-lite family earns its colours.

Despite doing the dash to 100km/h a full half-second slower than the previous M35i, the new version is still quick enough to have fun. The reduction in performance comes from a dropping of 50Nm but there’s a small increase in power and the all-important delivery is what really matters.

Throttle response is excellent with zero turbo lag when in-gear and the four-cylinder switches on peak torque with a satisfying immediacy. Prodding the throttle in the previous M35i required a bit of planning ahead, especially mid-corner, but the revised version obliges without hesitation and allows the excellent traction to be exploited when exiting bends – even in some challenging Portuguese winter conditions.

Some of the first generation’s numb steering has also been addressed and sorted, with more feel and feedback dialled in and not in the way some manufacturers choose with the blunt addition of weight.

The steering is still light, but the improved sensitivity works beautifully with a similarly enhanced chassis that manages to be but taught and lively but also offers improvement to comfort and ride quality – most of the time…

While the chassis was largely well behaved, the cause of a strange inconsistency and an occasional choppiness was hard to identify but most likely the adaptive dampers getting flustered by Portugal’s challenging road surfaces, including nasty kerbside damage and large potholes.

Otherwise, the M35i is a real hoot, responding enthusiastically to fast corners and changing surfaces. Traction is faultless regardless of the conditions and cornering grip is excellent with just enough body roll to feel genuine and natural.

Speaking of natural, we couldn’t determine just how much of the engine’s note was coming from the quad pipes, airbox or speakers but ignorance is bliss and the result sounded great.

With more sedate driving, the X2 settles into a quiet and relaxed demeanour and there’s a placid side to the M35i’s personality that full-fat M variants struggle to achieve.

Road noise is low despite tiny tyre sidewalls (thankfully BMW binned run-flat tyres a while ago), while wind noise is similarly absent and cruising in the sportiest X2 is as virtuous as the way it’ll carve a corner.

While many SUVs often surprise their owners when the road comes to an end with reasonable traction and more ground clearance than a car – even those firmly intended to function most effectively on the road – the 2024 BMW X2 M35i xDrive is just about as road-focused as they come.

With very-low-profile tyres on large wheels and a lack of body protection, the X2 would be looking decidedly secondhand not long after hitting the trails.

It also doesn’t have a full-size spare or even a space-saver, which could leave you stranded in the bush with only an inflator kit to get you out of trouble.

For the new model, the 2024 BMW X2’s overall length has increased by 194mm and most of that is in the overhang behind the rear wheels.

This means the latest BMW X2 M35i has a boot that’s grown by 90 litres. With the rear seats in place, total volume is a generous 560L, while stowing the 40/20/40-split folding second row frees up 1470 litres.

There’s more space in the second row than expected thanks to a deeply scalloped roof allowing headroom right into the rafters, while the X2 has a reasonable number of cubbies and cup holders dotted about the cabin.

In terms of overall layout, the new-generation BMW X1 and X2 are largely aligned although there are some differences when it comes to materials and finishes.

In the case of the 2024 BMW X2 M35i, it gets a more sporty theme with synthetic suede coverings and high-grade leather along with individual touches such as M-colours on the seat belts, seats that look as good as they feel and a thick M Sport steering wheel.

The latter might be a little on the fat side for drivers with smaller hands and we’d prefer something a little more slender.

The ambience is generally light and spacious and dark hues are cosy, but the relatively thick front pillars and letterbox rear window does somewhat limit the outward view.

Overall, the X2’s interior is stylish and well designed with a simplicity that doesn’t impact practicality.

It’s too easy to be dismissive of the second-generation 2024 BMW X2 M35i xDrive before getting behind the wheel. I know I was.

On paper, this coupe-profiled SUV has lost torque, is slower to 100km/h and costs more than $14,000 over the version it replaces.

However, after sampling what it has to offer, any small compromise in acceleration is gladly sacrificed in return for a wonderfully well-rounded chassis, while comfort and technology get similar enhancements of their own.

But there’s an even easier way to justify the M35i’s price increase. With a growth spurt in all directions including most prominently length, the X2 now measures 4.55m long and that means it has half its tyres in medium SUV territory.

With all the advantages associated with the mid-size SUV segment, an asking price of $92,900 plus on-road costs is easier to stomach.

Of course, if you are after something genuinely compact, you might have to look elsewhere, but the X2 range has never looked or behaved more grown-up.

2024 BMW X2 M35i xDrive at a glance:
Price: $92,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Second quarter 2024
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 233kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 186g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested