Review: BMW Innovates with the 2018 X2

Part dry road, part slush, part fresh snow: after driving the new 2018 BMW X2 around in a variety of conditions over the course of a week, you could say that I fell pretty solidly under the charms of the German automaker’s latest sport activity vehicle!

While it shares the same platform as the X1, as well as some elements like the dashboard, commands, door handles and side-view mirrors, pretty much everything else is different. The X2 features a low-slung, sloped roof, and a small, distinct logo that evokes those on BMW’s old 3.0L CSL coupes. It also inaugurates a new, larger front grille with enlarged openings at the bottom, another nod to the brand’s 60s-70s eras models.

With its M Sport package, complete with a very aggressive front bumper and a lowered suspension, the X2 behaves very dynamically yet reassuringly on the road. The feeling is most akin to driving a small sport sedan, beefed up!

On the road, the BMW X2 performs like a finely tuned athlete, powered as it is by a 2.0L turbo engine with direct injection; it generates 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and can take the car from a standing stop to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. I did note, however, a slight delay on accelerations in the model I drove.

I tried but could not find much fault with the 2018 X2’s xDrive all-wheel drive system and stability control system. During the early-March week I tested it, I had dry roads followed by 15 cm of snow; the car didn’t miss a beat. When braking or accelerating suddenly, I never once saw the anti-skid light go on. It probably helped that my tester was fitted with excellent Pirelli SottoZero tires, which offer fantastic grip on snow and ice!

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