BMW iX2 xDrive30 review

BMW has been constantly expanding its EV lineup and the iX2 is the newest addition to the lineup. It shares a platform with the ICE-powered BMW X2, which is a compact SUV-coupe that recently entered its second generation. The new X2 is larger and brings a number of design tweaks, as well as a much more premium interior.

Table of Contents:

• Exterior
• Interior
• Storage & practicalities
• Driving experience
• Tech features
• Ride comfort
• Cabin noise
• Acceleration and braking
• Consumption
• Charging speed
• Competition
• Verdict

BMW X2 is the coupe version of the X1, and also serves as the base for the new Mini Countryman. These highly popular models share a lot of parts to streamline the manufacturing process, but they are still different enough to cater to slightly wide audience. The iX2 has sportier looks and more aggressive styling and judging by the success of the previous generation this is probably the more popular formula.

Today we test the BMW iX2 xDrive30, which is the most powerful version of the model for now. Our test ride is equipped with the M-sport trim, which adds some extra flair to the exterior and interior, but doesn't change the performance figures. It offers all-wheel drive and 230 kW (313 hp) output, so there's no shortage of power. The 64.8 kWh battery capacity is hardly impressive, but we know there's more to the actual range than just this number.

BMW iX2 xDrive30 2023 -

• Dimensions: 179.3 inches x 72.6 inches x 61.4 inches, 106 inches wheelbase.
• Drivetrain tested: xDrive30 - AWD 230 kW (313 hp), 364 lb-ft, 66.5 kWh total battery capacity, 64.8 kWh usable battery capacity
• Other drivetrains: eDrive20 - FWD 150 kW (204 hp), 66.5 kWh total battery capacity, 64.8 kWh usable battery capacity
• Charging: 130 kW CCS; 10-80% in 29 min.
• Range: 279 miles WLTP
• Weight: 4,619 lb unladen
• Other features: Sports seats, Augmented reality, Air-Console Games, OTA updates.

Exterior

The looks of the new BMW iX2 have sparked debate, with fans of the brand declaring the design as "sacrilegious" and straying away from BMW’s heritage. Frankly, we have heard that about a number of other recent models by the Bavarians, but the sales figures suggest that the controversial designs work pretty well.

The famous kidney grilles are gigantic and are the focal point up front. Obviously, they are just for show as the electric iX2 doesn’t need as much cooling as its ICE variants so there are no actual grilles in there. You can opt for the "Iconic glow", which lights up the outline of the grille to further underline their presence. The lower skirts are anything but subtle in the M-sport trim and also help for the menacing look.

The headlights are narrow, but with many curves and angles - a departure from other BMW models - but the light signature itself is largely similar. This means at first glance it's somewhat hard to know which exact model you are looking at. The headlights work great at night, but don't come with the smart matrix tech from the bigger models to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.

The X2 shares it silhouette with the bigger X4 and X6 models. The sloping roof-line steals some headroom in the back, but makes for more distinguishable design and probably improves aerodynamic efficiency.

BMW is slowly bringing back a long-forgotten style of door handles, which open upwards and require an unorthodox movement of the hand to use. They are more aerodynamic and fit better with the design, yet previous attempts at this design results in frequent malfunctions and freezing in the winter.

The iX2 comes with a wide variety of wheel sizes and designs. We got the 20" M V-spoke wheels, but the base model gets 17" wheels, which don’t look nearly as good. Going for the smaller rims has a number of benefits though - most notably smoother ride and better energy efficiency.

The rear end of the iX2 features a slanted window that ends abruptly with a black ducktail spoiler and an upright trunk panel. The tail lights don’t look like any other BMW model and they stick out the body like unpopped zits.

The highly aggressive bumpers in the M-line trim finish off the over-exaggerated looks in the rear. They are don't serve a purpose, but help distinguish the M-line from the regular models.

Interior

The interior of the iX2 borrows a lot of elements from more premium BMW models, resulting in a luxurious overall setting inside. The majority of materials and the build quality of the iX2 would still be fitting in far more premium vehicles. Putting Alcantara and leather on almost every surface is a pricey option on the iX2, but the result is an amazing interior that very few competitors offer.

When you enter the iX2 as a driver, the first thing you see is the chunky steering wheel, which now comes with almost every new BMW model. It is round with no flat surfaces. The buttons on it are big and easy to figure out. The more expensive BMW models get higher quality plastics for the steering wheel, but these don't look bad either. Sadly, they are already starting to get sticky in our rather fresh test car and we can only assume they will not stand the test of time and will start to show signs of wear quickly.

We have no such concerns about the sports seats, which are part of the M-line trim. They are soft and don't tire you even on longer drives, but are truly supportive in corners. Our test unit had manual seats, but if you wish you can also opt for them to be electrically adjusted. Still if you prefer comfort over support for spirited driving the regular seats are a better option.

The sports seats are very supportive and comfortable even for long travels.

An interesting feature of the iX2 is the "Boost" paddle behind the steering wheel, which gives you faster acceleration for quicker overtakes or whenever you need an extra push. It only works in short bursts and comes at the expense of worse battery efficiency, but it's up to you to decide when and if you actually need it.

Behind the steering wheel is the gauge cluster, which is identical to what you get in any other BMW model these days. It is fully digital and highly customizable, allowing you to choose the layout and the information displayed. At 10.7” it's pretty big so part of its readouts hide behind the steering wheel, though.

The gauge cluster is exceptionally customizable and easy to read.

The iX2 also can be ordered with a HUD (head-up display), which has crisp quality and can show almost all the data for the gauge cluster. It is a fantastic feature that we highly recommend.

In the middle of the dashboard is the infotainment display, which is mounted alongside the gauge cluster on a single surface. The touchscreen in the center is slightly smaller at 10.3", but offers great image quality and excellent performance and usability.

Between the two screens lies a column of buttons, that lets you quickly access some of the most frequently used menus of the infotainment system. These buttons used to surround the iDrive control unit in the lower part of the center console in a number of BMW cars in the last 20 years, however the Germans are slowly transitioning to touchscreen-only and going away from physical dials.

Below the screens is a huge decorative trim line spanning from edge to edge in the interior, which can be customized in multiple colors, patterns and materials. It also incorporates the climate vents, making them less obvious. Our test model had the aluminum highlights trim, which nicely accents the black Alcantara with blue stitching on the rest of the dashboard.

The decorative pieces compliment the interior design of the iX2.

Under the infotainment screen is the center console, which starts off as a wireless charging pad that has a bar to keep your phone in place. It is a convenient place as you still see if you receive any notifications, but also is far away from the driver to avoid distractions.

In front of this pad are two deep and wide cupholders, which sadly don't have any kind of rubber padding or something to clamp to your drink. As a result, most cups or bottles jiggle around and eventually spill everywhere. It becomes quite an inconvenience if your coffee spills all over the interior.

The actual center console is split into two parts, with the lower one being a deep and open storage space with two USB-C ports, while the upper one serves as an armrest and smaller storage. As we already discussed, no iDrive dial is near the armrest, but you get a small gear selector here, the hill descent assist key as well as vehicle settings and mode selector. There is also a big and hefty dial for the volume control, as well as an unmarked button to reveal the armrest storage.

It should be noted that the quality of the plastics in that region is not great at all, especially considering it is an area that gets touched and used all the time.

The center console has multiple purposes and functions.

The front doors in the iX2 use decidedly lower quality materials compared to the rest of the interior. They have a ton of cheap plastics for the window switches and door handles, as well as the stereo covers. The test model didn't come with the upgraded Harman/Kardon speakers, which resulted in big blank plastic pieces staring at us on the doors.

The doors combine great materials with very cheap plastics.

Another blatantly obvious cost-cutting measure is the passenger door trim, which is shared with vehicles for the right hand drive markets. There are blank plastic cutouts where the lock and unlock buttons are supposed to sit giving a rather cheap feeling.

The rear seats of the iX2 are good for an SUV-coupe, but the headroom sacrifice that we mentioned in the exterior chapter is immediately obvious. Our reviewer is 1.95 m (6’4”) tall and his head goes all the way to the roof. But even if you are somewhat shorter the sloping roof creates a bit of a claustrophobic feeling, even if you'll still fit. Optioning a panoramic sunroof will certainly eliminate this sensation.

Legroom is fine and even taller passengers have no problems at all. The iX2 is one of BMW’s smallest models, but it still offers plenty of space inside. Still, if you plan on carrying tall passengers more frequently you’ll be better off choosing the iX1 as it is essentially the same vehicle sans the agressive slope.

The rear passengers don't get many luxuries. There are cup holders and an armrest, as well as two USB-C charge ports. You get two small climate vents, but no climate controls or rear heated seats, which some rivals offer.

The rear passengers get very limited luxuries.

Storage & practicalities

The trunk in the iX2 is surprisingly big, even if the shape limits overall usable space compared to the BMW X1. With 18.5 ft³ of cargo space the iX2 actually offers 1.24 ft³ more than the iX1, which is a remarkable feat. However, to use up that extra storage you’ll need to be more creative as the iX2 has an irregular trunk shape, opposed to the boxiness of a regular SUV.

The iX2's rear seats fold almost fully flat and open massive 49.4 ft³ of storage space. Combine that with some small storage pockets you get throughout the interior and below the main trunk floor and you get a highly practical daily driver.

The iX2 is definitely practical.

Sadly, BMW doesn't do frunks (front trunks), which leaves the space under the hood primarily empty with easy access to all the electronics and fluids, but no usable storage.

Driving experience

Being the driver of the BMW iX2 xDrive30 may be rewarding, as it combines sportiness and luxury for a balanced overall experience. The xDrive30 drivetrain we tested offers all-wheel drive, allowing you to get perfect grip in all conditions. The 313 hp output is more than adequate for a passenger vehicle and propels the iX2 extremely quick off the line. Every stoplight turns into a dragstrip, which may easily get you into serious trouble if you are not careful.

The iX2 comes with tons of body roll, which is to be expected in that segment, despite the slightly more aerodynamic shape. The body feels disconnected from the chassis, resulting in a smoother and easier daily drives, but doesn't really inspire confidence around tighter turns. If you wish to sacrifice some comfort, the sport settings of the suspension transform the vehicle sensibly and allow it to handle much better in corners. It is nowhere near a sports car, but nonetheless lets you have some fun behind the wheel.

The weight of the iX2 cannot be neglected and is certainly taxing on the handling. The iX2 xDrive30 version we tested weighs in at 4,619 lb, almost the same as the BMW X6 and 1,102 lb heavier than the regular X2. This weight is concentrated low under the seats, resulting in superb handling, but also leads to substantial understeering and rebound after potholes.

Steering the iX2 is easy and relaxing. The wheel can be turned with only one finger no matter the mode and you feel detached from the road. There is almost no road feedback, even as you dive into a corner at speed, which is typical for the segment, but is far off from BMW’s heritage and what made the brand so unique before.

On the plus side, it makes the iX2 perfect for casually driving around town. It is relaxing and predictable and easy to park due to the great camera systems and parking sensors. There is also an optional parking assistant that can park autonomously. The only slight problem is rear visibility due to the sloping roof and small rear window.

Being an SUV-coupe, the iX2 offers 6.6 inches clearance, allowing you to tackle the obstacles of city driving with ease and confidence. Combined with the xDrive all-wheel drive you can get into some light off-road, but more importantly you never have to worry about harsh winter conditions.

BMW has hired Hans Zimmer, a world renowned composer, to create the sounds that their new EVs make. They're called "Iconic sounds" and enhance the driving experience, creating sci-fi experience in the cabin when accelerating. This is done to bridge the gap between to ICE cars and the sensations they provoke, but also add a futuristic twist to the whole experience.

A fantastic solution for the annoying sounds of the lane departure and speed limit assistants is that if you press the "set" button to the left of the steering wheel for a few seconds it turns the beeping off. That's convenient for quickly turning off an assistant virtually no driver appreciates, but is government mandated and should be put in any new vehicle. More on the legal reasons why it's there and why every manufacturer chooses to approach those assistants differently to be expected soon as a separate article on our site.

Tech features

The tech inside the BMW iX2 issome of the finest in the industry at the moment and could easily persuade you into choosing it over the competition. The iDrive 8.5 system works tremendously well and offers a plethora of options and features few can match.

BMW’s "Connected drive" has been developing rapidly in recent years and now offers a vast variety of services that require internet connectivity. Real-life traffic information is a huge benefit that saves you time by optimizing navigation routes. There are also real-time events happening nearby that the car may suggest to you.

A gimmick that makes waiting while charging more fun is the AirConsole game center. It offers multiple games you can play, using your smartphone as controller while the car is stationary. We did a thorough review of its capabilities over on our sister-website gsmarena.com.

You can also get notified about the weather or the news around you. The voice assistant can save you time by reading the news for you as you're traveling.

Another gimmicky feature is the implementation of cameras throughout the interior and exterior, which can be used for selfies and videos. This elevates carpool karaoke videos to a whole new level, but can also be used for evidence in terms of an accident or in case of vandalism.

The camera system can be used for selfies or documenting important events. You decide!

As we mention the camera system it should be noted that the quality of the parking cameras is great. The 360° camera can be precisely adjusted and positioned where you need it and even at night it makes it easy to spot different obstacles.

The home menu can toggle between multiple presets with convenient shortcuts. This way you can reach your favorite menus quicker and have them always at hand. There are no physical buttons for presets, but having them always at the same place is nearly the same.

The built-in navigation in the iX2 works brilliantly. It has modern graphics and quality. When you enter a destination beyond its range it can schedule where and for how long you should charge, but its greatest feature is the augmented reality, which pops a window when you need to take a corner and artificially places an arrow exactly where you need to turn. This eliminates any doubt in the driver.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available and work wirelessly. This is great for short trips as you don't have to hook up your phone constantly, however it sometimes lags and has problems connecting, which isn't a problem if you go over a wire.

The air conditioning is all controlled via the center screen. It isn't as intuitive as physical buttons, but at least the integration is much better compared to iDrive 8.0. Now there are far fewer settings buttons and the temperature controls stay in the bottom of the screen at all times. The seat and steering wheel heating are also down there.

In addition to the regular driving modes, there are also art-inspired ones, which try and chance the mood in the cabin as well. They change the display, lower the music, turn up the heating in addition to the usual suspension, steering and pedal response adjustments.

Some modes change the whole atmoshpere in the iX2.

Ride comfort

The ride of the BMW iX2 xDrive30 is comfortable, especially considering the low-profile 20-inch tires we had equipped on our test vehicle. In standard mode, the suspension absorbs most of the bumps and you only feel the weight bouncing around until it balances. Sport mode takes away a lot of the comfort in exchange for better handling and the whole vehicle shakes on potholes. A big problem in that mode are bumps you approach at speed like bridge splices, which shake the whole body of the car and can cause a loss of control if you are distracted.

Cabin noise

Sitting inside the iX2 xDrive30 you get the sensation of a true premium luxury vehicle that cocoons you from the outer world and lets you fully relax. While moving you get some tire noise inside, but the ambient insulation is great as you get nearly no noise from the outer world. The build quality and material choice is excellent, and the absence of creeks or rattles eliminates makes this a serene cabin.

Sound level tests are carried out with a specialized sound level meter placed in the car's cupholders. The test is conducted with air conditioning and radio off and while maintaining a steady speed.

Acceleration and braking

The iX2 xDrive30 is quick off the line, it quickly loses the battle with physics and stops pushing you back into your seat as soon as you hit about 37 mph. The 313 hp have to handle a large and heavy body. Still the 0 to 62 mph acceleration takes 5.28 seconds, half a second quicker than the manufacturer states, and pretty good in the grand scheme of things.

Braking is excellent in the iX2. Despite the huge weight, the Pirelli P Zero tires work their magic and stop the vehicle in just 36 m (118’1”) from 62 mph to 0. The recuperation works well and you can have true one-pedal driving experience, however if you need to rapidly brake there is a noticeable jump when transitioning to regular brakes. Mastering the brake pedal takes a lot of time, so we suggest sticking to regenerative braking as much as possible.

Acceleration and deceleration are measured with a RaceBox device inside the car. Testing is done with a single person inside the car, with air conditioning and traction control off.

Consumption

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 is among the more efficient vehicles we've tested. This is true despite the giant 20-inch tires and AWD, which makes the result even more impressive. For more of our thoughts on the consumption of the iX2 find out in our dedicated range test.

We measure consumption by driving at constant speeds on an identical test route during the day. Testing is conducted with air conditioning, all safety systems and radio on. The data comes from the vehicle's board computer. Specific testing parameters such as ambient temperature are mentioned in the text on a case by case basis.

We now suggest you use the widget below to find out the BMW iX2’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.

Charging speed

The peak charging speed of the BMW iX2 is rated at 130 kW, which is exactly what we achieved with our car. Even though the weather was cold and it rained, the iX2 reached its promised charging power. There is no V2L charging available, which competitors like Hyundai or Volkswagen offer.

Competition

There are a lot of competitors in the segment of compact SUV-coupes so the iX2 faces no easy task.

The closest competitor is the Audi Q4 Sportback 55 e-tron Quattro. It comes with a much bigger 82 kWh battery, that is faster to charge as well. Storage space is more impressive in the Audi, but the material and build quality is superior in the BMW, and so is the infotainment.

Then there's the Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE 87kWh. Once again, it shines with a much bigger battery capacity, but also a significantly less efficient powertrain. Material and build quality is equivalently good in both models, but the infotainment in the BMW makes the Nissan look ancient, while Ariya's looks are subjectively better and more commonly accepted.

Audi Q4 Sportback 55 e-tron quattro 2023 - • Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE 87kWh 290kW 2023 -

Verdict

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 is one of the best daily drivers you can get today. It excels in a number of ways and has no significant shortcomings. The iX2 is a highly competent vehicle and while its design is rather controversial, it can do a lot and also bring a smile on your face when provoked.

The infotainment is among the best in the industry, while the materials ooze luxury. Despite some bad plastics here and there, the interior is a great place to spend time in and sets a really high standard for the competition. The spacious trunk adds to the great usability of what initially appeared as an impractical SUV-coupe.

The top reasons to stay away from the iX2 is the oversteering under pressure and general vague steering. And while those might not seem important in a car of this class these qualities are responsible for a big part of BMW's cult following. The weight is also noticeable at most occasions and the suspension has to do extra work to balance such huge mass on the road.

If you do decide on getting one, the xDrive30 powertrain is a fantastic choice with sufficient power and sublime efficiency. The xDrive AWD system also helps with grip in tricky conditions, ultimately benefiting safety.

Pros

• Snug and comfortable sports seats.
• Superb infotainment.
• Great efficiency.
• Nimble and easy to drive.
• Big cargo space.
• Top-notch build quality.
• Comfortable ride.

Cons

• Relatively small battery capacity.
• Highly polarizing looks.
• No iDrive control unit in the center console.
• Cheap plastics in key places take some points away from otherwise great interior.
• No V2L charging.
• Heavy weight.
• Poor steering feedback.