2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i Review

I’ve been behind the wheel of a small luxury SUV this week, but one that has a lot of zip to it.  This is the 2024 BMW X2 that was redesigned for this year.  You’ll notice this has the modern coupe look to it, versus the X1 which is more traditional and squared compact SUV.  For 2024, the X2 is longer, wider, slightly taller, and it rides on a longer wheelbase.

Exterior  

This SUV is quite stylish in this Storm Bay Metallic color, and it has sharp-looking 19” wheels.  The swooping roofline and hatchback design with a rear spoiler built-in give it a really sporty overall look.  

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Of course, you get the trademark BMW kidney grill in front with active shutters, LED headlights and taillights, and new flush door handles.  All-in-all, this is a head turner. 

Powertrain

Behind the xDrive28i BMW grill sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is putting out 241-horses and 295 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a new for 2024 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with shift paddles.  Although small in displacement, the 4-banger does 0-to-60 in a respectable 6.2 seconds, and it will top out at 149-miles per hour.  For more money, you can move up to the M35i and take the power to 312-horses.

For the record, all X2s come with the xDrive, which is BMW’s designation for all-wheel drive.  They are known for very capable all-wheel drive systems, but more for handling than driving in the snow.  The X2 is front-wheel drive biased, so it functions that way the majority of the time.

Interior

The interior is very well done and it’s clear you are in a BMW.  The Veganza seats (vegan, man-made leather) are comfortable and slightly bolstered.  They are power operated and heated but not cooled.  There is stitching on the seats, and there are manually operated thigh supports that slide out.  All-in-all, the seats are more comfortable than I expected.

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You notice the aluminum pedals and the fantastic steering wheel when you open the door.  Aluminum trim crosses the entire dash and flows into the door panels.  The stereo speakers in the door are covered in aluminum and look fantastic.

As you sit, you see a 10.3” colorful and configurable gauge cluster that offers up a lot of information and is very futuristic.  Looking through the windshield, you see an easy to read head-up display.

To the right of the gauges is a 10.7” infotainment and settings screen that houses iDrive 9.0, the newest system from BMW.  It handles the Harmon Kardon sound system, Bluetooth, navigation, climate controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  It also houses a terrific 360-degree camera.  The system is the fastest I recall from BMW.

There is page after page of apps you can go through.  Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming.  I noticed there were a lot of the screens you really had to dive deep into, not my favorite thing to do.  I suppose once you get used to it, it might be a little more intuitive.

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Just below that are two cup holders, two USB ports, and a really nifty phone charger that allows you to see the phone screen easily when charging. 

Between the seats is a floating, elevated console with open storage under it.  On top of it, is the start button, an unusual gear shifter that resembles a toggle switch of sorts.  There is a button to change the three drive modes, there is an Auto Hold button, and you can change the radio volume.

Back seat room was quite good for a small SUV, but watch the headroom, that swooping roofline takes its toll.  Rear passengers get air vents, a couple of USBs, and a fold down arm rest with cup holders.

Utility

Cargo area is good in the X2.  You get 25.3-cubic feet of cargo area, and if you fold the back seat down, it grows to 51.7-cubic feet.  The hatchback configuration really helps with the room.

Standard Equipment and Options

My tester has the $2500 M Sport Package, which gets you the 19” wheels, the 7-Speed tranny, the sport seats and all the M elements, the terrific steering wheel, and more.  $4000 buys you the Premium Package which is keyless entry, panoramic moon roof, Parking Assistant Plus, Harmon Kardon sound, and the nifty phone charger.

Heated seats and steering wheel are $500, remote start is $300, the paint color is $1200, and the Driving Assistance Pro package is $1700 and includes Active Driving Assistant (partial self-driving), adaptive cruise control, and active lane assist.

Note:  Something that jumped off the window sticker at me was the transportation charge, which is $2745.  I believe that’s the highest I’ve ever seen, even from other vehicles coming all the way from Germany.

Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, the 360-degree camera, front collision warning, and the LED lighting all around.

Everything else you see is standard equipment, most notable are a power tailgate, power seats with memory, keyless remote, and multi-zone automatic temperature control.

Ride and Drive   

I’ve said it many times on the show and it is true: Nothing drives like a BMW.  Handling is superb in spite of the X2’s small size, the all-wheel system is excellent, and it comes with Dynamic Stability Control, another reason handling is so terrific.  Acceleration is really good, and the interior quietness is fair, there is some engine noise on acceleration.  Getting in and out will be easy for most people with the larger tires and wheels, it sits up nicely and has good ground clearance.

Verdict

You don’t get the big horsepower with this one, but it makes it up in fuel economy.  It’s rated at 24 in town, a very good 33 on the highway, and 28 overall.  It is actually doing slightly better, even driving it fairly hard.  MSRP on this loaded, redesigned SUV is $52,745 which is in line with other compact luxury SUVs, some not nearly as fun to drive.