BMW X2 Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

BMW reckons the new X2 will appeal to anyone for whom the last model wasn’t quite different enough from the X1 to justify a slight drop in practicality. If that sounds like you, then the new X2 may just hit the spot. It’s more radically styled this time around, too, which should help the X2 stand out against the competition more than its predecessor.

We’ve so far only tried the X2 M35i of the two petrol models, and while it’s unlikely to end up being the sensible choice suitable for the largest number of potential buyers, the M35i’s strong performance does suit the deliberately more sporty look of the X2 compared to the X1.

If you can afford the extra outlay, can live with the range and have somewhere to charge it, it may be worth looking at the M35i’s electric equivalent, though, the iX2 xDrive30. Performance is very similar, it’s a smoother and quieter drive, and should cost less to run than either petrol model.

The Audi Q3 Sportback is probably most likely to sway BMW X2 buyers away from their potential purchase, being a similar size and a little cheaper to buy, although Audi doesn’t offer a model with equivalent performance to the M35i. One manufacturer that does is Cupra, and the Cupra Formentor, while perhaps not having the BMW’s image, is one of the best-looking and best-to-drive cars in this segment: the range-topping 4Drive models are quicker than the M35i, and the Cupra is more agile and fun to drive, too.

Another BMW highlight. We'll discuss long-term durability and reliability later, but on first contact, the X2 feels like a quality product. Everything you’re likely to regularly grab or prod is sturdy and nicely-trimmed, and there are no squeaks or rattles on the move. BMW is incorporating more vegan-friendly materials in its cars and you’d be hard-pressed to tell them from the real deal: the car’s Veganza synthetic leather surfaces are just as soft as the cow-based stuff, and synthetic leather in cars has historically been fairly long-lasting.

BMW is now on its ninth-generation operating system for its in-car infotainment, and the X2 is the latest model to incorporate the new tech. The previous generation was hardly creaky and slow but a few minutes scrolling through menus and poking the touchscreen reveals this one to be pretty quick and easy to use, at least when you’re at a standstill.

When you’re driving it does become a little trickier, particularly as heating and ventilation functions have now made their way onto the screen; there are no physical buttons for them any more, save for the front and rear defrosters. Luckily, you also get buttons on the steering wheel to skip music tracks and adjust the volume.

We’re not keen on the overly high-tech graphics of the instrument panel in front of you, which simply aren’t as clear as BMW’s traditional round dials of the past. But it hardly matters in cars with the head-up display, which is clear and presents most of the important information just below your eyeline anyway.

There are USB-C ports for connecting and charging devices, and an upright wireless charging pad ahead of the centre console, with a little bar to hold your phone in place, as if it’s riding a rollercoaster.

Coupe-style SUVs like the X2 are often seen as an impractical choice alongside their more conventionally-shaped counterparts, but if that’s true for the X2 when it comes to rear passenger room, it’s not the case with the boot. In fact, because the X2 is a touch longer than the X1 (and a significant 194mm longer than the old X2), it’s actually got more luggage space: 560 litres, 20 litres more than that of the X1.

A 40/20/40 split for the rear seats allows you to carry different load shapes and sizes alongside passengers, too, and folding the rear row flat opens up 1470 litres of space. Petrol models are more practical than their electric counterparts, incidentally, with some space under the flat boot floor that's not available in the EV, so the iX2’s seats-up area is 35 litres smaller. Other cabin storage areas include some slightly inconveniently shaped door bins, a glovebox, some centre console storage under the armrest, a pair of cupholders ahead of the armrest, and a phone charging pad ahead of that.

While a diesel version will be offered elsewhere in the world, the X2 is offered in the UK only in petrol and pure electric forms, the latter badged iX2, which we’ve reviewed separately. The two petrol options are the front-wheel drive sDrive20i, which is based around a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder, and the all-wheel drive X2 M35i, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo like you’ll find in a BMW M135i.

Both are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the sDrive20i getting a 48-volt mild hybrid setup. The result is 170PS (156PS from the engine, 19PS from the motor, and some fudging to account for different outputs at different points). We haven't yet tried this version, though.

We have tried the X2 M35i, which is the performance model in the range, making a nice round 300PS and delivering 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. It's actually a little quicker than the similarly-powerful all-electric iX2 xDrive30, although predictably, they feel pretty even on the road.

What the M35i lacks in instant go compared to the EV, it makes up for in lower weight, although it still doesn’t quite have the pep of similarly powerful and even lighter hot hatches. Gearchanges are quicker up the ‘box than they are when you ask for downshifts from the paddles, but even left in auto, the gearbox is intelligent enough to pick mostly the right gear at mostly the right time, and it’s always smooth when swapping cogs, even in the sportier driving modes.

BMW hasn’t managed to extract anything approaching a pleasant engine note from its 2.0-litre engine. Accelerate hard and a kind of nasal and slightly harsh drone permeates the cabin, and but for a few burbles when lifting off the throttle, we actually prefer the electronically generated noises of the iX2.

Back off and cruise, though, and as the gearbox shuffles into higher ratios, the noise settles down and the engine becomes commendably smooth and hushed. In fact, at higher speeds it’s not notably louder than the iX2, with the same levels of wind- and tyre noise, and just a distant hum letting you know it’s an engine rather than electric motors moving you along.

Euro NCAP has bestowed the X2 with the same five-star rating as the closely related X1, even though the X2 itself hasn't been sent into one of the official body's deformable barriers.

It’s packed with various electronic safety features, too. Standard equipment includes forward collision warning, cruise control with braking, speed limit and lane departure warnings, and a parking assistant. Optional features include everything from active cruise control with stop and go, to drive recorder and theft recorder systems.

In general, BMW’s reliability and customer satisfaction ratings tend to be mid-table in customer surveys. That's ably demonstrated by the latest 2025 edition of the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, in which BMW was rated 16th out of 33 manufacturers for reliability. The latest X2 is too new to have influenced this result, though.

BMW's warranty isn't the best, with a three-year, unlimited-mileage arrangement.

The 20i version of the X2 has an insurance grouping of 25, while the M35i has a group 34 classification.

All versions of the BMW X2 cost more than £40,000 when brand new, so all are subject to the government's 'luxury car surcharge' when it comes to VED. The car's first year of tax is rolled into the list price, so you won't notice it, but after that, the surcharge is payable between years two and six of the car's life, on top of the usual flat rate of tax. That flat rate is currently charged at £195 per year, while the surcharge adds another £425 per year. That amounts to quite a slice.

The X2 sDrive20i M Sport, the only trim level available, comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior details and a matching rear spoiler, an automatic tailgate, ambient lighting, automatic air conditioning, M Alcantara and Veganza upholstery, an M leather steering wheel, heated sports seats, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, a curved driver display and infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, wireless phone charging, and M adaptive suspension.

Move up to the standalone X2 M35i model, and you get 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, the ‘iconic glow’ BMW kidney grille, Harman Kardon audio, and M Sport brakes, along with all the equipment available on the M Sport.