Can the BMW iX2 be the better option over the regular X2?
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the design of the iX2 and iX2 and to start with it has a different front end to the X1. We get a wider kidney grill setup with the iX2 getting a modern diamond design which I do quite like. We also get some sporty headlights that look like the 5 Series headlights. Also, just like the 5 Series and even the 7 Series the grill surround lights up at night, so everyone knows you have a BMW. The bumper also looks sporty copying the look of the X6 facelift with the gloss black panelling connecting the kidney grills to the big central air vent. The side vents are also quite big and the creases on the bumper and even the bonnet are exaggerated to make it look sportier and even more menacing.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and we get a minimalistic design. To show its more premium side we get body coloured cladding round the wheel arches and we also get minimal creases along the side as well as flush door handles to make the car more aerodynamic. Everything about the car from the b pillar to the front is X1 in terms of structure but from the b pillar backwards it has an all-new sloping design that really suits this car considering it is quite small. It looks long and elegant and not squashed together. This green colour also looks good. It is BMW Individua Frozen Tampa Bay Green. Wheel sizes range from 19 all the way to 22 inches.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and we get a minimalistic design. I must admit at first, I wasn’t sure of it but it has grown on me. Personally, I would of liked a bit more of a boot on the back but I can live with what we have. On all models though we do get a gloss black spoiler. The taillights mimic the headlight style which looks modern and futuristic. The boot opening only houses the badge and model designation which looks a bit too plain, and I would of liked the number plate on the boot opening but the bumper does look very sporty with gloss black surrounds and a fake lower diffuser. Where the exhausts are on the X2 there is a fake gloss black grill Lets have a look what battery and motor options you can have with the iX2.
Car and engine specs and price
So, lets start with the iX2 as that is the most important version of the X2. It only comes in M-Sport trim but there are 2 versions. The first one is eDrive20. This has a single motor setup on the front with 202 bhp. it is mated to a 66.5 kWh battery pack which gives you about 280 miles of range. 0-62 is delt within 8.6 seconds which isn’t that bad. Charging takes 6 and a half hours on an 11-kW fast charger but if you charge at 130 kW then it will take 29 minutes from 10 to 80%. The next version is called xDrive 30. This has a dual motor setup creating 4-wheel drive but also 303 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 5.6 seconds. It uses the same battery pack as the eDrive20, but the range is reduced to 265 miles because of the extra power. Charging speeds are the same too. the price of the BMW iX2 start at £51,615.
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the BMW iX2 and you are welcomed with a premium interior. Let’s star with the dashboard design. Unlike before the dashboard now has a landscape design that makes the car feel wider. We get a dual screen single piece design like what you would find on a Mercedes for you instrument cluster and infotainment system. This is running the latest iDrive 9 which runs in google in the background. It works very well and is very quick and easy to use. The only downside is that I would of liked the iDrive controller that you don’t get anymore on the lower BMW models. The centre console houses a wireless charging pad with a seatbelt so to speak to hold it in place. You also get plenty of storage in the centre console and a floating upper centre console too which houses the gear selector and other important switches. The door cards are also interesting too with plenty of metal feeling materials. Let’s have a look at the rear seats as this could be the deal breaker between this and the X1.
Practicality
So, getting into the back and whilst headroom isn’t the best because of the sloping roof but it isn’t that bad. Legroom is just like the X1 too. you can sit 3 in the back as there is hardly any hump in the floor and the seat bench is quite wide. One thing to bear in mind though is that the floor in the iX2 is higher because of the batteries. This will cause the same problem as the EQA which will be reviewed soon. The premium materials continue in the back though and you also get your own air vents and arm rest as well as 2 USB C ports. Let’s have a look in the boot.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot to the BMW iX2 and you are welcomed with a decent 525 litres of boot space which isn’t that bad and is better than its rivals and you do get some underfloor storage for the cables as it does not have any front boot but as it has storage where it is for the cables, I can live with that. Folding the seats down you get 1,400 on in the iX2. Again, this is decent and considering it has a hatchback style opening it is quite practical to put big items in the boot area.
Summary
So, what do I think of the new BMW iX2. Well, it is a very, very good car. The looks are on point and although it has a sloping roof over the X1, it is still practical enough for it to be a good car. The driving characteristics aren’t the best over its rivals because of the harsh suspension but it is plenty powerful enough and the steering is very good too. a proper BMW. Which one should you go for. Well, it comes down to if you need an electric car or not. If you don’t need an electric car then I would save your money and go for the normal X2 as it is just as good and is very efficient. There is also more choice too. if you go for electric then you are still getting a good car with a decent range and performance. Personally, I would go for the X2.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 5/5
Practicality 5/5
Total 15/15
Model | BMW iX2 xDrive30 M-Sport |
Engine | 2 Electric Motors, 303 bhp, 66.5kWh, 4 Wheel Drive, 265mi Range, 0-62 = 5.6 Secs |
Trnasmission | Automatic 1 Speed |
Price | £58,040 |
On Sale | Now |
Comments