Utility autos of all sizes and shapes are flooding the market proper now — along with conventional SUVs, we have got crossovers, coupe crossovers, compact crossovers, subcompact crossovers, sport crossovers, sport subcompact coupeovers, advert infinitum. It is attending to the purpose the place these CUV fashions differ so barely from each other, it is onerous to grasp why you’d purchase one over the opposite.
Living proof, the 2018 BMW X2.
A coupe in title solely
The X2 is presupposed to be a “Sports activities Exercise Coupe” model of the subcompact X1 crossover. (I like the time period “coupeovers” for these items.) In actuality, it is extra like a tall wagon that is kinda-sorta coupelike within the again. Positive, the X2 is a bit shorter and decrease than an X1, however the roofline is not raked sufficient to actually warrant that coupe designation. By no means thoughts the truth that, you realize, it is a four-door utility automobile…
Regardless, the X2 strikes a assured pose on the street, with a couple of fascinating design bits. The automaker’s conventional kidney grille is flipped to be wider on the backside, and the C-pillar rocks big BMW badges. Talking of which, in case you embody M Sport badges, you will depend 20 completely different logos throughout the X2. Rejoice, ye model flashers.
I nearly missed the tiny M brand on the steering wheel.
Emme Corridor/Roadshow
Premium trimmings, however rather a lot much less area
It won’t look very coupe-ish from the skin, however the smaller dimensions are actually noticeable contained in the cabin. The tiny rear glass provides you a condensed view of what is behind, and whereas legroom is just about the identical because the bigger X1, rear headroom is decreased by greater than 2 inches. I am 5 ft, 9 inches, and my head brushes the headliner.
Utility takes a noticeable hit, too. There is a most of 50.1 cubic ft of cargo area, an enormous discount from the 58.7 cubes obtainable within the X1. That is 37 fewer 12-packs of Weight-reduction plan Dr. Pepper, people!
In any other case, the inside is generally made up of high-quality, premium supplies, although some onerous plastics are discovered on decrease trim panels. The entrance seats supply numerous headroom and there are many storage cubbies for telephones, wallets, half-eaten breakfast burritos or no matter else you would possibly deliver alongside.
Pricey tech
The X2 comes with BMW’s typical suite of iDrive infotainment tech, housed in an obtainable Eight.Eight-inch display that you may management both by contact, or by way of the rotary dial on the middle console. Curiously, the X2 solely affords a single USB port, although wi-fi smartphone charging is offered as an choice.
Apple CarPlay is offered, too — for $300 — and has wi-fi functionality, although I discover it to be a bit extra bother than it is value. You’ll be able to’t actually use it once you’re additionally counting on the automotive’s Wi-Fi community, since your cellphone can solely be linked to 1 factor at a time. It is advantageous once you’re in cell sign vary, however once I’m making an attempt to ship emails throughout a video shoot within the distant countryside, it isn’t so useful. In any other case, CarPlay works as marketed, and whereas it is form of a trouble to set it up the primary time, iDrive helps you to change between its commonplace show and Apple’s interface proper on the house display. If you would like Android Auto, you are out of luck.
As for driver help tech, it is hit and miss. Blind-spot monitoring is not obtainable in any respect, and with a view to get lane departure and ahead collision warning, it’s a must to improve to a $700 bundle. Adaptive cruise management is an extra $1,000. It is actually onerous to justify this nickel-and-diming when you think about that far inexpensive automobiles — like Toyota’s subcompact C-HR — supply all of these items as commonplace gear.
Assured dynamics
Each X2 comes with a 2.Zero-liter turbocharged I4 engine, knocking out 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Entrance-wheel drive is commonplace, however my tester has BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive, in addition to the non-obligatory M Sport X bundle that features an upgraded suspension and completely different shift mapping for the eight-speed computerized transmission.
The X2 handles twisty again roads with confidence, the transmission firing off fast shifts whether or not left to its personal gadgets, or by way of the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A Sport setting provides some urgency to throttle response and a bit extra weight to the steering, although there is a noticeable lack of suggestions via the wheel it doesn’t matter what drive mode you are in. It is onerous to discern precisely how a lot grip the Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season run-flat tires have at any given time.
The signature kidney grille will get thrown for a loop on the X2.
Emme Corridor/Roadshow
Cease-and-go commuting can also be a little bit of a chore, because of nonlinear braking really feel at low speeds. It truly feels just like the brake pedal is sticky, and I typically have to use extra pressure than feels applicable. The X2 additionally has extra wind and street noise than I would count on in a premium automotive; these run-flat tires are partially responsible.
With all-wheel drive, the X2 is estimated to realize 21 miles per gallon metropolis, 31 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed, which bests the financial system of the Audi Q3 and Jaguar E-Pace, however falls in need of the Volvo XC40. Throughout my time with the X2, I solely noticed a dismal mixed score of 21.four mpg, however bear in mind, your mileage might fluctuate.
How I would spec it
Whereas the X2 begins at $36,400 for a front-drive mannequin, the worth can climb in a short time. The Sundown Orange Metallic check automotive you see right here, with the M Sport X pack, Wi-Fi, wi-fi cellphone charging and extra, stickers for $50,920, together with $995 for vacation spot.
19-inch wheels are additionally a part of the M Sport X bundle.
Emme Corridor/Roadshow
For my X2, I would save $four,650 by not choosing the M Sport X bundle, because it does not truly add any noticeable efficiency upgrades. Nevertheless, I might add the $four,950 Premium Bundle, because it will get me satellite tv for pc radio, a panoramic sunroof, head-up show and onboard navigation. Adaptive cruise management is one other must-have, even at $1,000, as is Apple CarPlay, for one more $300. All in, my best X2 is a a lot easier-to-digest $44,295.
Why purchase?
There’s nothing unhealthy concerning the X2; it is as advantageous as another subcompact crossover. However therein lies the issue.
The X2 prices a full $2,500 greater than the X1 on which it is based mostly, but affords much less inside area with out the advantage of a extra participating driving expertise. For a distinct segment automotive like this, it wants much more differentiation to actually be well worth the added value.