BMW is on a mission to have a car in almost every segment but does the coupe version of its smallest electric SUV make sense?

BMW iX2 review: electric coupe-SUV

March 22, 2024 Matt Allan

BMW is on a mission to have a car in almost every segment but does the coupe version of its smallest electric SUV make sense?

The BMW X2 name isn’t a new one, it’s been around as the sportier styled sibling to the X1 since 2017. However, the i part – BMW’s identifier for its all-electric cars – is new for 2024, as is the entire car.

The battery-powered iX2 shares its underpinnings with the iX1 and petrol-powered X2, so this isn’t a dedicated EV platform, but does that hold back BMW’s smallest electric model in its competition with the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y?

Design and interior

Although the iX2 and iX1 are closely related under the skin, on the surface only the door mirrors are shared. BMW says the iX2 is the ‘design-led’ partner to the more practical iX1. In real terms, that means it gets a pointier nose, swooping roofline and longer overall body.

Sadly, BMW still hasn’t got the hang of the coupe-SUV. The iX2 doesn’t quite plumb the vulgar depths of the X6 or X4 but it’s not what you’d call a design classic.

In the right colour combination, the massive kidney grille set in a sloping front end with its sharp bumper angle is bearable. But choose the wrong spec and it’s awkward and gawky. And most of the problems lie behind the big grille, as the dipping roofline looks clumsy and slab-sided thanks to massively thick C-pillars.

The BMW iX2 looks awkward from almost every angle

Thankfully, if you buy one you can climb inside, where things are far better.

BMW consistently manages to strike the right balance between the clinical high-tech of Audi and the try-hard chintz of Mercedes, with its modern but clean design. The iX2 is the latest application of that. Apart from some dramatic door pulls that jut out into the cabin, it’s a sensible, straightforward approach. BMW’s trademark textured trim breaks up the black of the dashboard and there’s a pleasing lack of the now over-used gloss black plastic.

Like the iX1, there’s an open central console with a clever upright phone charger and cupholders, which flows into a useful low level stowage space with a semi-floating upper section.

There’s no iDrive rotary controller here and, sadly, no physical heater controls, but the touchscreen is big and responsive and fitted with the latest and smartest BMW operating system. Later this year, BMW is bringing controller-based gaming and an on-demand video app to the system to keep you entertained while charging.

Those up front are well catered for in terms of leg and headroom and the sports seats are deep, supportive and comfortable. It’s a surprise, though, that they’re manually adjustable in a £57,000 car.

Rear passengers will find space is acceptable rather than generous and the transmission hump and large centre console mean it’s really only a four-seater. The boot is 525 litres – marginally up on the iX1’s 490 litres.

The iX2’s interior is relatively simple but well thought out

Battery, motor and performance

The iX2 comes with two motor options, one distinctly more potent than the other but both equipped with a 64.8kWh battery.

The entry point for the iX2 is the eDrive20. This uses a single front-mounted motor with 201bhp. That gets it from 0-62mph in a respectable 8.6 seconds, while range for this less powerful model is 283 miles.

Above that is the xDrive30. The x denotes that there’s a second motor here, providing all-wheel-drive and a total output of 302bhp and 364lb ft. That translates to pretty rapid progress, including a 0-62mph time of just 5.6 seconds but range drops to 267 miles.

On the road, the xDrive30 feels seriously punchy, with strong instant acceleration from any speed. It seems churlish to complain about a car being over-endowed but the xDrive does almost feel quicker than it needs to be.

The eDrive is noticeably slower but is still no slouch and, I would estimate, perfectly adequate for most users. BMW agrees, predicting 80% of buyers will opt for the two-wheel-drive setup.

In both versions, a boost paddle unlocks all the power for a 10-second burst if you’re in a more eco-focused drive mode. Alternatively, you can select sport from the modes menu, which also brings a more positive steering feel.

The iX2 xDrive is remarkably quick and agile

On the move, the iX2 is quick and responsive with sharp steering. It’s not a classic BMW ‘driving machine’ but it is a lot more dynamic than many rival cars. The payoff for that is a slightly stiffer ride and a faint jitteriness that never completely vanishes.

To accompany your progress, the iX2 features BMW’s Iconic Sound – a synthesised noise developed in collaboration with famed composer Hans Zimmer. If you’ve seen the 2021 film Dune, you’ll have experienced Zimmer’s overbearing and overwrought soundtrack and unfortunately, he’s brought similar levels of pretension to BMW.

Acceleration is accompanied by what sounds like a hammed-up horror movie soundtrack of rising synth-fuelled dread. At lower speeds the slightest variance in throttle leads to a noise like a dragging brake disc. Thankfully you can disable the cacophony and live with the minor but noticeable whine from the motors.

Price and specification

Prices for the iX2 start at £51,695 for the eDrive20 and £57,445 for the xDrive30. Both are only offered in M Sport trim. Across the range, it’s between £1,100 and £1,400 more than the equivalent iX1 but comes with bigger wheels and smarter LED lights to offset that.

M Sport also brings adaptive suspension as standard, along with heated front seats, smartphone mirroring, cruise control, a powered tailgate and dual-zone climate control. However, features such as the head-up display, adaptive headlights and even auto-dimming rear view mirror were part of my test car’s £9,125 Technology Plus Pack. That pushed its final price to almost £65,000.

A well-specced Audi Q4 e-tron is a similar price but the Polestar 2 and Model Y offer more power and range for less money and come pretty well equipped too.

Verdict

You have to accept the steep price tag and dig beneath the surface to find the iX2’s qualities. Beyond the questionable exterior style there’s a high-quality, user-friendly interior, a quick, refined driving experience with more flair than rivals and a choice of powertrains to suit those looking for performance and those after efficiency.

My biggest problem is that the iX1 shares all of the iX2’s elements and is more visually appealing as well as marginally cheaper.