Used BMW X2 2018-present review

Imagine you want an SUV but you want a little more style and you want it to be more car-like to drive. On top of that, you want it to have a premium badge. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the BMW X2, a sporting sibling to the more practical and more mundane-looking BMW X1 and BMW X3 SUVs that also issue from the firm’s portals.

Its styling is certainly different enough to win it friends, suggesting as it does a cross between a compact SUV and a coupe, but it wouldn’t get far if it didn’t offer all the traditional qualities we’ve come to expect from a BMW.

To that end, under the bonnet there’s a range of frugal yet punchy 2.0-litre engines: two petrols and two diesels, with a choice of a manual or automatic gearbox and a mix depending on engine chosen of front-wheel drive or BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system.

The petrol options are the sDrive18i or sDrive20i, with 138bhp and 189bhp respectively, both with front-wheel drive. The most powerful 187bhp diesel engine is only available with four-wheel drive as the xDrive20d, but new buyers could have chosen between the 148bhp diesel as a four-wheel drive xDrive18d or a front-wheel-drive sDrive18d.

Later models dropped the sDrive20i, but kept the four-wheel drive xDrive20i, and ushered in a plug-in hybrid xDrive25e. There was also the option of an M35i, a 302bhp 2.0-litre petrol with a 0 to 62mph time of just 4.9sec.

Entry-level SE trim comes with all the basics, including 17in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors, and also boasts an electric tailgate, sat-nav and a DAB radio. Sport trim is worth considering if you’re tempted by bigger wheels; it has 18in alloy wheels as well as attractive contrast stitching on the dashboard, LED headlights, ambient LED lighting and body-coloured roof trims for not a lot of extra cash. M Sport is a popular choice, but the 19in wheels and stiffer suspension don’t do the ride any favours. M Sport X adds leather seats and a few bits of silver exterior trim that give the X2 a little more of an off-road flavour.

On the road, all the X2s perform well, with plenty of oomph at most speeds and, in the diesels, excellent low-speed punch. The eight-speed automatic is also smooth and changes gear unobtrusively.

Approach a corner and the X2 shines, with well-weighted steering, high levels of grip and sporting handling that is safe and stable but encourages the keener driver more than most of its rivals in this class do.

The pay-off for this is a ride that’s too firm. Indeed rough road surfaces and sharp-edged bumps will see passengers bouncing around in their seats uncomfortably, especially at low speeds.

Inside is a driving position more akin to that of a normal hatchback than an SUV, with a multi-adjustable seat and steering wheel. Visibility can be a little limited by the thick pillars, but reversing sensors are standard. The finish of the interior is certainly a cut above its rivals, though, with pleasing materials on display. It’s snazzy, and feels of a high quality.

The X2 has a fantastic infotainment system. All versions come with a DAB radio, CD player, USB socket, Bluetooth and satellite navigation with traffic information. The screen is a rather small 6.5in, but the interface – a rotary selector dial surrounded by a handful of shortcut buttons – is wonderfully intuitive and conveniently positioned between the front seats.

Upgrade to the Navigation Plus package and you gain an 8.8in display, wireless charging for compatible devices and a touch-sensitive pad on top of the rotary dial controller that allows you to input addresses using handwriting, as well as a head-up display.

Space-wise, there’s plenty of room up front, but while front-seat passengers aren’t too affected by the lower coupé roof those in the back certainly are. Head room is noticeably tighter than in the X1, so taller adults will find their head rather close to the ceiling. Leg room is likewise rather limited by class standards.

All X2 models have a powered tailgate that makes life that bit easier. The boot is a good size and also a usefully square shape and has handy nets, underfloor storage, elasticated straps and even a 12V socket.

If you're interested in buying a used BMW X2, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Opt for the most basic X2, say an sDrive 18d SE, and you should be able to get a good 2018 model with a low mileage and a full history, sold by a franchised dealer, for around £15,000. Up this to between £16,000 and £18,000 to get your choice of higher trims or more powerful engine options from 2019, likewise all bought from franchised dealers and with low mileages and a full history. Spend between £18,000 and £25,000 on good 2020 and some early 2021 cars. Spend between £25,000 and £32,000 on a 2022 model. The plug-in hybrid will set you back in excess of £25,000.

On paper, the most economical X2 will be the plug-in hybrid xDrive25e, with an official WLTP figure of 166.2mpg. It will have to fit into your lifestyle for you to achieve anywhere near these figures, though. Meanwhile, the sDrive 18d SE version has an official average 62.8mpg and corresponding CO2 emissions of 119g/km. The other diesel versions all manage figures across an official range of 56.5 to 60.1mpg, while the best-performing petrol is the sDrive 20i SE with an official 48.7mpg.

Annual car tax for all X2s will be charged at the flat rate currently £165 a year (£155 a year for hybrids). Beware those highly specced models that might have sneaked over the £40,000 price when new, however, as these will attract a supplementary luxury car tax of £355 a year.

Insurance groups range from a reasonable 25 to 32 on the faster cars. Servicing costs are about average for the premium sector; however, your car's previous owner might have bought a service pack when the car was new, and this should cover all the routine maintenance of the car for the first three years or 36,000 miles. You can check BMW’s website to see if your X2 has a pre-paid service pack.

We’d stick at the cheaper end of the market here and go for an 18d xDrive diesel model in well-equipped entry-level SE trim.

Our favourite BMW X2: 18d xDrive SE

The Jaguar E-Pace is the firm’s smallest conventionally powered SUV, and it’s great to look at and well equipped. However, some of its rivals are better to drive and also have plusher interiors. It’s quite pricey as a used buy, too.

The Volvo XC40 is our former What Car? overall Car of the Year, and we still rate it highly. It’s comfortable, classy, practical and good-looking inside and out. The interior is solidly constructed and features swathes of soft-touch material. It’s well equipped too.

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If you're interested in buying a used BMW X2, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.