IT TAKES TWO(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 55

This is a very different kind of BMW X2, a second generation model that's bigger, sharper, cleverer and more sure of itself. You'll need to like the divisive looks, but if you do, you might end up wondering why you'd pay nearly as much for the less individual X1 model this car is based on.

Background word count: 190

The small, premium badged Coupe-SUV is a car of our times. An extension of a concept championed mainly (though not exclusively) by BMW. Who started it all with the large X6 (of 2008, based on the X5), extended it with the mid-sized X4 (of 2014, based on the X3) and then completed it with the first generation version of the compact X2 (of 2017, based on the X1). Both the X6 and the X4 were successful enough to merit follow-up models and the X2 is no different, with the second generation version we look at here announced in autumn 2023. Like its predecessor, it's entirely based around BMW's boxier entrant in the small SUV class, the X1, in this case the U11-series model that arrived in 2022. And, like that car, it comes with a totally redesigned cabin, a fresh standard of media connectivity and the new option of an all-electric version, the iX2. For combustion variants, the most obvious rival is Audi's Q3 Sportback, but if you're prepared to widen your buying brief, there's no shortage of small premium SUVs with sporting pretensions for this X2 to take on.

Driving Experience word count: 347

The original X2 might have been sporting to look at, but it wasn't sporting to drive and you wouldn't have thought that making its replacement bigger would help in that regard. Actually, you'd be wrong, with a whole raft of changes that promise to transform this second generation model's drive dynamics. Sharp Sport steering is standard across the range, as is adaptive M Suspension with adjustable and frequency-selective dampers. The Bavarians have also added rear actuator wheel slip limitation to maximise agility, with a traction control system integrated into the engine management. This allows corrective inputs to be applied up to ten times faster than with conventional systems, benefiting traction, poise and handling stability. The suspension system's been redesigned with new axle kinematics and extra lift-related damping on the front axle. And there's a powerful integrated braking system with four-piston fixed-caliper front discs. All the engines work with a redesigned 7-speed Steptronic double-clutch auto gearbox with steering wheel paddleshifters. It now has widened gear ratios, fully electric actuation and a bit more cleverness: the transmission automatically shifts into P when the engine's switched off and if you're parked on slope, the electric parking brake will automatically be applied. From launch, BMW was only offering petrol engines to combustion folk. Things kick off with an sDrive20i variant featuring a front-driven three cylinder 1.5-litre 170hp unit 48V mild hybrid assistance: this makes 62mph in 8.3s. The alternative is the all wheel-driven M35i xDrive, which has an all-new four cylinder 2.0-litre engine putting out 300hp and making 62mph in 5.4s to the accompaniment of a rich-sounding M-specific exhaust. The greener alternative to this pair is the all-electric iX2, offered in two forms. There's the front-driven eDrive20 version, which offers 204hp and goes 297 miles on a charge. The alternative is the xDrive30 version we tried, which has two electric motors, AWD and 313hp (62mph in 5.6s). Drive range is up to 266 miles, though to achieve that, you'd have to select the most frugal 'Efficient' MyMode drive setting and make full use of all the various provided energy recuperation settings.