The posh, Munich-based luxury BMW brand continues exuding cache wherever finding an open road or crowded car park. Defining itself as ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ BMW’s understated luxury combines with the latest technological comforts. It also ushers in unique vocabulary.
For example, the conventional term ‘crossover’ describing a five-door vehicle just doesn’t cut it within BMW pamphlets, web pages, Apps or advertisements. Instead, SAV and SAC remain the vocabularies of choice. Sport Activity Vehicle explains SAV while SAC decodes to Sport Activity Coupe. For those seeking an entry point into the BMW SAV universe, the compact X1 fills the bill and redesigned second-generation 2024 X2 (this week’s tester) tackles the SAC crowd.
But how does one distinguish between SAV and SAC? When compared to the compact X1 (SAV), the compact X2 (SAC) offers a fastback roofline resulting in a sportier, coupe-like exterior silhouette (although with four side doors) and pinch a less indoor cargo capacity. In effect, X1, X3, X5 and X7 Bimmers carry forward the traditional sport utility silhouette (or SAV) while X2, X4 and X6 SAC’s opt for the coupe-style fastback roofline.
The capital ‘X’ prefix within our X2 M35i xDrive tester’s namesake designates this vehicle as a five-door SAC. The numerical suffix to the right increases as vehicle size increases all the way up the chain to X7. When a small x next to the word Drive shows up at the end of a BMW character stream, that’s a reference to all-wheel drive. Expect a 40/60 xDrive front-rear torque split during normal pavement travel with spilt second, automatic adjustments depending upon wheel slippage or icy conditions. The small i at the very end signifies a fuel-injected gasoline engine, a differentiator to a small d referencing diesel fuel.
Several BMW ‘Series,’ coupes, sedans, SACs and SAVs include an up-performance M twin for those wishing to take the next power step forward, in exchange for an upward price bump.
For example, the ‘M’ in our tester’s X2M35i xDrive signifies M performance upgrades get thrown into the mix including M Sport brakes with red calipers, M Sport front seats, quad exhaust pipes and M Sport shadowline lights. But wait, there’s one more M to contemplate.
BMW’s M Series Motorsports subdivision (signified by a capital M prior to any numerical designation such as the M5) started back in 1972 providing more than a half century of furious fun. At times, BMW describes its M Series as its M Division, same concept. Don’t confuse these high performance, low-volume M selections with BMW vehicles utilizing the letter M Sport to signify content specifics.
The second-generation X2, the youngest member of the X family, grows a significant 7.6 inches in length from its first incarnation while the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) lengthens by 0.9 inches delivering a sturdier footprint. The additional 2.5-inches of overall height only enhances headroom. The X2 now enjoys a 2.6-inch length advantage over the X1. The first generation X2 arrived back in the 2018 model year.
Buyers choose from two X2 trim choices in 2024, an xDrive28i featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder cranking out 241 horses (13 more than 2023) and our up-performance M twin upgrade, an X2 M35i xDrive bumping up the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powertrain to 312 horsepower. The fuel tank holds 14.3 gallons of recommended mid-grade, 89-octane fuel.
Both engines pair to a seven-speed performance-minded fully-electronic dual clutch transmission. This technology blends together the worlds of manual and automatic transmissions, tweaking up fuel economy and reducing emissions while providing lightning quick gear movement with no gaps in propulsion power. This parallel gearbox system requires no foot clutch found within the manual transmission universe while eliminating the torque converter found with conventional automatics. Clutch one handles odd gears (1,3,5,7) while the second clutch takes on even ones (2,4,6) plus reverse. From a layman’s perspective, it’s an upgraded automatic transmission minus the foot clutch fumbling. Expect a fuel economy bump of about 10 percent when compared with a conventional seven-speed automatic.
This marks a major upsell from 2023 and the last hurrah for Gen One when a conventional eight-speed transmission teamed with a turbo four. An all-electric EV version of BMW’s X2 is available for purchase in Europe, with no immediate plans to ship the plug-in Stateside as of this writing.
The front end now boasts a larger twin-port glossy grille with the returning round, flat circular medallion in between ports. This time around, the port outside framing illuminates at night. The long hood includes two crease/flair hood lines launch from inside edges of the ports, extending past and framing the BMW medallion while racing towards the windshield. A second outside brim starts at the narrow front A pillar and swings in a gentle curved fashion towards outside corners of the kidneys. A sizeable black air dam resides below the grille.
Newly designed bejeweled-like LED front headlights flank the grille sectioned by a pair of turn signal indicators (doubling as daytime running lights) in the shape of a three-dimensional number 1. Wrap-around red-plated taillights adorn the lower back, again flashing the BMW medallion in between. Flush-mounded side door handles lift up to unlock and circular wheel wells remain body color with incorporated protective cladding.
Black capped sideview mirrors adorn both front doors in the M35i (base trims include body-colored styles) while a black spoiler sits at the tail end of the power liftgate. At night, puddle lighting emitting from these mirrors project M35 onto the pavement below. Window frames choose black framing rather than a chrome effect. Measuring in with a sensible 8.1 inches of ground clearance, X2 offers an easy entry-exit hip point while providing a good perspective of the road ahead. The roof hits its apex between the heavily raked A and mid B pillar then gradually descends towards the hatch area.
Pricing for the X2 M35i xDrive starts at $51,400. European automakers historically add plenty of available options padding the bottom line and BMW is no exception, although this upper echelon X2 nicely keeps that number down to about a half dozen. The premier exterior color, a ‘Frozen Pure Gray Metallic’ added $2,350 and provided a matte-like non-reflective sheen.
A recommended $2,600 premium package added power folding side mirrors, acoustic glass, wireless charging and panoramic sunroof. Larger 21-inch wheels dinged an additional $1,100. The $1,700 driving assist package enhanced radar cruise control and active lane assist with side collision avoidance. No charge for the M Sport Package Pro adding lots of badging, M sport brakes with red calipers and red seat inserts. All this plus a relatively skinny $995 destination charge landed this at $60,995. An 2024 X2 featuring the 2.0-liter four cylinder with a pinch less power starts at $42,000. Both capable engines power this compact SAC effectively.
Raised front buckets with lateral side bolsters offer lateral support and include knee extenders helping alleviate lower extremity fatigue during extended trips. Between the buckets, a long, narrow and shallow arm rest extender stretches almost to the dashboard. Drivers can wave their hand under this bridge-like command post. Hinged on the right side and opening up via a push plate ahead, pencils, sunglasses and post it notes may reside in the shallow environ.
Steering feel remains remarkably light, soft and isolated when rotating the thick, three-spoke orb, but changes depending upon the drive mode selected. For additional resistance, choose the ‘sport’ mode which also disengages traction control. Three mode choices (Sport, personal, efficient) select first from a marked button within the long, narrow center arm rest/control center. Each mode selected not only changes the color scheme of instrument panel, but also the thin pen lighting coloring running the length of the center dash and onto the front side doors.
Towards the front of the arm, one finds the electronic start/stop push panel summoning the 2.0-liter in-line turbo engine to life; a far easier location to reach rather than the lower dashboard, a popular location often times impeded by the steering column/wheel. The finger-operated electronic transmission shifter moves from reverse, to neutral to drive via gentle push-pull of a small bar. Park engages from an aft-positioned push-plate with a prominent P icon. To the right, a scroll-type volume control and secondary left-right push buttons interacting with the in-dash sound system. At the far northwest corner situates red hazard button.
The dashboard’s black top angles downward toward the passenger seat at the right end with two unique tactile patterns. Brushed aluminum accents join red seat and door inserts and patterned plastics and textured leathers brighten the multi-colored interior. The interior creates a welcoming vibe.
Dual side-by-side beverage holder situate closer to the lower center dash in front of the wireless Smartphone charging pad. Phones stand upright and tuck inside a lightweight safety bar keeping movement to a minimum.
The eye-catching aspect within the dash is the new-for-2024 wide, flat, curved panoramic iDrive command center screen combining an animated instrument cluster information within the far-left region (10.25 inches) and audio screen, temperature controls and other machinations to the right (10.7 inches). The screens merge together behind a curved glass surface. The latest generation of BMW’s iDrive features a redesigned home screen based on the newest and latest version, the BMW Operating 9 system sans any twist-style knobs or buttons. A multi-function controller dial once found between front buckets, has retired. Many current Bimmers work in tandem with iDrive version 8.5, the second-newest iDrive version.
Climate control operate through screen touches or audible commands. The home screen includes climate icons along the bottom to quickly find the command page with one touch as iDrive 9 promises less layers and submenus to operate. Two of the only push buttons outside the screen: front and rear defroster buttons near the screen’s lower right. The touch screens a relatively easy tutorial to follow with large icons and vertical swipe-ability, but during the week, the screen flickered occasionally when dealing with the audio. Let’s hope this reflects just an early-stage bug, not a systemic issue.
The three-spoke steering wheel includes a multi-function scroll-push dial at 9 o’clock (selecting stations or pod-cast choices) and separate volume push plates. The 3 o’clock wing dedicates with easy-glide multi-speed radar cruise control which worked wonderfully.
Second row comfort increases thanks to a relatively small vertical transmission center floor hump. Seatbacks fold down with a 40/20/40 split gaining convenient access to the cargo region. Despite the sloping roof, headroom remains more than adequate for those six feet two inches or shorter. Ceiling grab handles adorn all four side doors.
Teens, tweens and kids-at-heart of all ages will appreciate an installed overhead camera near the rearview mirror capable of still shots and recorded videos to curate family vacations or just have fun. Pictures and recordings can then be transported to any Smartphone if desired. In addition, download the ‘MyBMW’ App and snap remote pictures from far away to check if any packages or wayward teen got left behind.
Both X1 X2 and most of BMW’s network of vehicles qualify for BMW’s Ultimate Care Maintenance program covering dealer-performed scheduled maintenance (engine oil, air filter, spark plug, complete vehicle check) for three years or 36,000 miles whichever arrives first. Four years of complimentary roadside assistance gets added to the purchase experience as well.
X2M35i xDrive At a Glance
Price as tested: $60,995
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder
Horsepower: 312
Wheelbase: 106.0 inches
Overall Length: 179.3 inches
Overall Height: 62.6 inches
Overall Width: 72.6 inches
Curb Weight: 3,840 pounds
Fuel Economy: 23 miles per gallon city/32mpg highway
Assembly: Regensburg, Germany
