BMW iX2 review

It’s the BMW iX2, and if you’re familiar with the current Bavarian naming strategy then you’ll know that makes this the all-electric version of the new X2. Simple question, simple answer.

So, there’s a new BMW X2?

Yep, you can read the full review of the petrol-powered X2 by clicking these blue words. That comes in sDrive20i M Sport and full-fat M35i forms in the UK and is essentially the coupe-ified version of the X1.

Not a good-looking thing though, is it? BMW says that in terms of exterior styling the only things this car shares with the X1 are its wing mirrors. It also concedes the X2 “isn’t for everyone” and that those who like slightly more conservative styling will buy the X1 or iX1. We’re often fans of stand-out design, but this really isn’t floating our proverbial boat.

BMW sold just under 23,000 examples of the previous-gen X2 between March 2018 and December 2023, and this new one is much more aggressive. Available only in M Sport trim no matter which powertrain you go for, you get 19in alloy wheels as standard with optional 20-inchers. You also get a rear wing, that extremely square rear diffuser section and an optional illuminated kidney grille.

I can’t work out how big it is…

Good point. It’s slightly lower but actually 54mm longer than an X1. As a result, some versions actually get a bigger boot despite the sloping roofline. It’s a fair bit bigger than the outgoing X2 though – 194mm longer and 64mm taller.

Is there more than one electric powertrain available?

There is. The iX2 can be had in eDrive20 or xDrive30 forms. The former is the entry-level option and gets a single electric motor that sends 201bhp to the front wheels. The resulting 0-62mph time is 8.6 seconds.

The xDrive30 is all-wheel drive with a twin-motor powertrain, 308bhp and a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds.

What’s the range?

Both iX2s get a 64.8kWh (usable) battery capacity, so if you go for less power, you get more range. The eDrive20 manages a WLTP rating of 283 miles, while the xDrive30 can only claim 267 miles.

How much will it cost me?

There’s more detail over on the buying tab of this review, but in entry level form the iX2 costs from £51,615.

Does it have any rivals?

Many. Things like the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and Volvo EC40 are direct competitors, but there’s also things like the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the Polestar 2, the Skoda Enyaq Coupé, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. Phew.

BMW reckons the iX2 will be a Marmite car. You’ll either love the blocky, boxy look of this thing or you’ll hate it and buy the more sensible, less coupe-like iX1. Although given the competition in the circa £50,000 EV market, you might actually think neither represents brilliant value for money.

We’d certainly look at things like the Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 before getting into an iX2, especially given the BMW’s firm ride and less-than-impressive range figure. A rare miss from BMW, this one.