BMW X2 is great, but I wouldn't buy it

The BMW X2 is the car that has probably filled BMW's last niche. The X3 has a sibling in the form of X4 and the X5 has an X6. Now next to X1 we can finally put X2. This is great. Still, I wouldn't buy it. Why?

Perhaps the BMW X1 needed a more "sporty" counterpart to appeal to buyers who are looking for something more than a popular crossover. X2 should give them that. Interesting appearance and sporty handling. But what exactly? And what else?

Let's find out.

Z4 style

But not the one that was. The one that we will soon meet in the production version, and we have already seen the concept model. BMW in this model changes the shape of the headlights and a very sinister look. X2 alludes to this.

The massive shape and small windows make the car more predatory. The two BMW badges on the C-pillars echo classic models from yesteryear, such as the BMW 2000 CS.

Although the X2 is so expressive that not everyone will like it, I think it looks great. It will definitely stand out on the road - also thanks to an interesting palette of varnishes.

However, for SUCH appearance in the BMW X2 will have to pay extra.

Premium brands have their own rules. Premium is not only the initial price of the car - it is the price of all the add-ons and the possibility of personalization. The X2 looks good on billboards and in advertising, but that's thanks to the M Sport line - or the new M Sport X, with a slightly more off-road character. Choosing one of them is an additional PLN 27 to the base price.

Why am I writing about this? Because the X2 in its most basic version has halogen headlights, small wheels and a lot of black plastic. It doesn't look half as good as the M Sport models, so it's best to include them right away.

The minimum amount will be LED headlights for 5 zlotys. The BMW X2 was definitely designed for large rims - they look small... "medium". So we pay another 10 19 zlotys for 19-inch wheels, unless we choose M Sport – then 4 are included in the price, but we can pay about 20 zlotys extra. zlotys for -inch wheels. This is what you see in the pictures.

Apparently, these are just details, and the car should run well, but we know perfectly well that this is not the case. You have to like the car too, and for the X2 it's good to pick a few purely visual additions to make it impress.

Cheaper in the salon

However, the point is not that it is “cheap” and “not premium”. On the contrary, you don't have to pay extra for it.

The interior is well equipped but also well finished. Alcantara combined with fabric. The chairs also have yellow stitching. The only thing that distorts the effect is the crackling plastic on the steering wheel. In addition, the time inside is very pleasant and only because of its aesthetics.

The driving position is quite sporty, besides the seats themselves are well profiled. An undoubted advantage is also a wide range of steering column adjustment in two planes. This is convenient, but ... only for the driver and his passenger. There is not much space in the back, and even behind a 1,86 m driver it becomes crowded.

However, there is nothing to complain about the volume of the trunk - it holds 470 liters and this is quite a sufficient amount. After folding the backs of the rear seats, we can accommodate 1355 liters.

What's the best thing about X2? Leading

You really don't want to get out of the BMW X2. Partly because of the good interior. So let's be more specific. The X2 does not want to slow down. I don't want to turn off the engine. I don't want to stop.

Under normal circumstances, this might describe a sports car, but driving the X2 really feels like driving a sports car. I already explain why.

It's not about the engine at all. We tested the xDrive 20d version, i.e. with all-wheel drive and a two-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 190 hp. This engine develops 400 Nm from 1750 to 2500 rpm, and with the help of an 8-speed gearbox accelerates to 100 km/h in 7,7 seconds.

However, the strength of this car is the suspension and steering. Accurate and direct, creating a connection between the driver and the car, but perhaps not as specific to clutch information. The suspension is just like a sports car - stiff, it significantly reduces body roll when cornering.

Effect? Although this is another crossover, it handles exceptionally well. In this regard, it stands out. Here you are ready to go in circles only because there are more turns. Often you will find yourself moving too fast than you should. In this respect, this is a real BMW, although, I repeat, this is “another crossover”.

And since it's a diesel, it doesn't use much fuel. This is also due to the high number of launches. In the city you need 5,4 l / 100 km, on the highway 4,5 l / 100 km, on average - 4,8 l / 100 km. More purposeful city driving will result in fuel consumption of 7 l / 100 km, but it's still a worthy result.

So is everything good here? Not necessary. The BMW X2 is such an oversized hatchback, and because it's "oversized" it's heavier. It weighs 1675 kg, and here this weight is a little felt. It doesn't interfere with the feeling of driving pleasure, but is slightly noticeable when braking or driving around really tight corners. However, this aspect will only bother those who expect 70% sport from this car. And so we have about %.

That's why I wouldn't buy

Let's leave out the price, which, although it starts at PLN 138, should be increased by PLN 800 at the beginning. PLN – only questions related to appearance. Also, let's not pay attention to the price of the test version - 30 zlotys. It doesn't have to be a cheap car.

However, this is a crossover. More sporty, but still. And as such, it must combine many qualities - practicality, spaciousness, and only at the end of the sport. And this sport plays the first violin here. The suspension is simply stiff - too stiff for most Polish roads, although that effect is also amplified by the low-profile tires and 20-inch rims. Behind, too, there is not much space and here it protects, perhaps, only relative practicality. There are few storage compartments, a decent-sized trunk - that's enough.

Perhaps it is because of this completely different approach to the crossover that BMW has created a car that stands out in this segment. Perhaps it is because of these shortcomings that I like him so much. Of course because of the driving style.

And yet, at the price of a well-equipped version, you can already come up with a more practical X3. It will also be more convenient. The BMW X2 is a family car designed for the driver. But family cars are bought by families, not drivers themselves. And families in this case will choose X3.