BMW iX2 Review

​Being a mid-sized family premium electric SUV priced at around £52,000 and up, the iX2 has competition – and a lot of it. The Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Mercedes EQA, Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo C40 Recharge all count themselves as rivals, not to mention BMW’s own slightly smaller, cheaper and less stylish iX1.

Range, battery and charging

The BMW iX2 gets a range of up to 283 miles in the eDrive20, or up to 267 miles in the xDrive30 that we drove, which is adequate but not exactly brilliant given that alternative electric cars like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 offer a range of over 300 miles. They also charge more quickly; the BMW’s rapid charging tops out at 130kW, which isn’t that impressive for a new model when you consider that a Kia EV6 has a maximum charging rate of 235 kW and a Tesla Model Y can charge at up to 250 kW. But, BMW does point out that the iX2’s new charging software optimises charging so that it holds a high charge rate for a long period rather than trailing off quite quicky as the battery fills – as most electric cars do. Basically, it has faster overall charging speeds despite a comparably low charge rate on paper, so it’s still said to manage a 10-80% charge in 29 minutes, which does compare to that of Model Y. We’ll have to see how that works out in the real world when we get a car to a charging station in the UK.

The BMW will also warm the battery automatically provided you’ve plugged in the charger as your destination on the in-built nav. If you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’ll have to delve into the touchscreen system to tell the battery to warm up a few minutes before you get to your charging stop, which will help you get the best possible charging speeds. 

A heat pump is standard, too, which brings more efficient running in cold weather, so real-world range in winter should be reasonable. We’d estimate real-world range to be between 180- and 240 miles for the xDrive30, and around 200 to 260 miles for the eDrive20. We’ve found most electric BMWs to be notable for their efficiency in the real world, so we’ve got high hopes for this one. 

Practicality and boot space

The BMW iX2 gets 525 litres of boot space, which is not as much as you get in the Model Y but is still one of the biggest luggage areas in the class; it’s nearly up there with the Skoda Enyaq, which is something of a benchmark of ours for family practicality.  

The seats fold in a 40/20/40 split, which is useful as you can drop the middle section and carry a longer item while still having four passengers in the car. 

There’s enough space in the rear seats for an average-height adult to comfy, but tall adults or lanky teens will struggle for knee room, and foot room is tight enough that those in the front can feel rear passengers wriggling their feet about. It’s still perfectly pleasant to cover miles in the back of the iX2 – especially if you’ve added the £1300 optional panoramic glass roof, which makes feel bright and airy - but there are alternatives that offer much more space to stretch out. 

Interior, Design/Styling & Technology

The iX2 is a really smart place to be up front, too. The driving position is good, with sports seats that are firm but good at keeping you in place, and everything feels classy – you can even get snazzy two-tone black-and white leatherette, which looks kind of cool but also a bit like it’s been upholstered in dairy cows. 

A 10.7-inch curved touchscreen is the focus of the dash and the portal to the BMW iX2’s soul. It feels like we only saw the new Operating System 8 on the full-size BMW iX a short while ago, but with the iX2 we’re already onto Operating System 9. It’s not drastically different, but it’s now more customisable – particularly when it comes to various apps that you can add. You have to pay for them on a subscription basis, though, so careful not to get carried away… 

The core features – nav with charger search function, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and all your media features, are standard and work well when you’ve familiarised yourself with the menu layout. The graphics are superb, too. 

Motors, Performance & Handling 

We drove the xDrive30e, which is the range-topping, all-wheel drive variant. It gets an electric motor on each axle, 309bhp and will hit 62mph in 5.6sec, which isn’t arguably a bit more than your average family SUV needs. Nonetheless, it’s not like there isn’t a precedent for mad power and hot hatch – or even sports car – performance in electric family cars (thanks for that, Tesla), so you can’t blame BMW for showing off, too. 

What’s disappointing is that, while the iX2 is undoubtedly rapid, it’s not as fun as it should be. The steering feels inconsistent and doesn’t give you the sense of connection that you get in rivals like the EV6, and even if you go for Sport mode when the steering weights up and feels a bit more dialled in, you're always conscious of the weight of the car. It just doesn't feel like the driver's car that you might want. 

It doesn’t ride as well as some rivals, either. You get 19-inch wheels and adaptive dampers on every iX2 in the UK, as M Sport is the only trim available, but even with the adaptive suspension – which you toggle through via the drive modes on the screen – it feels harsh over potholes and doesn’t settle on scruffy surfaces. It won’t be a deal breaker for many buyers, and the Tesla Model Y is actually a bit worse for ride comfort, but it has to be said that the BMW iX2 is whelming to drive, at best. 

It is, however, rated for towing and can pull up to a 1200kg braked trailer. 

If it is a fun electric sports crossover that you’re after, check out the Kia EV6, Jaguar I-Pace or Ford Mustang Mach-E. If it’s comfort, long range ability or towing capacity are bigger priorities, the Tesla Model Y may well be for you. 

Running Costs & Pricing 

List price is hardly low on the BMW, but it is on a par with a lot of its rivals, and equipment is reasonable. Part-leatherette upholstery, heated seats, reversing camera and LED headlights are all included, but it is a bit of an eyebrow-raiser that you have to pay extra for keyless entry and adaptive cruise control with stop-start feature, given that you get these included on plenty of less premium rivals. 

Most will choose to add the Technology Pack, which does add keyless entry, as well as fully adaptive LED lights. You have to stretch to Technology Plus Pack if you want a head-up display and that striking illuminated front grille. Electric seat adjustment with memory, and that panoramic glass roof are sure to also be popular options. 

PCP finance starts at around £599 per month for the xDrive30, which is also fairly competitive, but full details of the monthly deals on offer aren’t available yet so we’ll have to reserve judgement for now. 

A full charge at home will cost around £16. Standard warranty is three years and 60,000 miles on the vehicle, while the lithium-ion NMC battery is covered for eight years and 100,000 miles. 

Verdict 

The BMW iX2 is quite impressive in isolation, with a smart interior, cutting-edge touchscreen infotainment and plenty of room for the average family. But there are rivals out there that are better to drive, and some of them are better value and go further to a charge, too. Overall, on this early evidence, the BMW iX2 is one of those middle-of-the-class cars that’s likeable, but only really justifiable over objectively better rivals if you can get a really good deal.  

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