There’s something to be said about being the second-born. For starters, as everyone knows, the second-born always has a little more sass and pizazz than the notoriously stoic and serious first-born. Additionally, the mistakes made with the first-born are rarely repeated, thanks to the beauty of hindsight and learning experience. That said, the second-born also retains an element of creativity and spunk, which those that come behind it may lose as they fall into the trap of “same old, same old.” The second-born certainly benefits from following in the footsteps of the original, which is why the BMW X2 is one of the best BMW SUVs on the market today. While the BMW X1 broke the mold in beauty and grace, the X2 lends itself to learning from some of the X1s pitfalls and makes a name for itself as one of the most impressive subcompact SUVs available today.
Of course, the X2 isn’t really following precisely in the X1’s first-steps; instead it’s an all-new offering from BMW for the 2018 model, filling a gap in the luxury subcompact SUV lineup and rounding out the family of BMW SUVs, known by their BMW-appointed moniker SAVs – which stands for “Sports Activity Vehicle”. So don’t be fooled – despite its funky (and misleading) naming convention, the 2018 BMW X2 is brand-new and ready to make a name for itself among some seriously tough competition, including, of course, the well-loved and ever-popular BMW X1.
On-Par Performance
While some people are still balking at the 2018 BMW X2 and are unsure that it can stack up to its namesake competitors, those that have gotten behind the wheel of the X2 are confident that the SAV has exactly what it takes to hold its own when it comes to offering its drivers a powerful performance coupled beautifully with peak agility and prime handling.
In fact, BMW knew that it had a winning combination of performance, agility and handling thanks to its experience with the X1, so it made the wise decision to utilize the exact same engine in the X2 – a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four cylinder. The engine churns out 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission – which, according to BMW, will get you going from 0-60 mph in a mere 6.3 seconds. No matter if you choose to drive the X1 or the X2, you won’t have to worry about lagging behind at a red light when you choose to drive a BMW SAV.
Even better than keeping up with the Joneses at the red light is being able to keep up with the Joneses at the gas pump. The 2018 BMW X2 offers great gas mileage, especially for the subcompact SUV class, getting 23 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. That’s certainly extremely respectable and is, in fact, virtually identical to the fuel economy you’d find in the X1. And, just like in the X1, the 2018 BMW X2 drives like a dream thanks to its superior handling and car-like feel.
Exuberant Exterior
So if the underpinnings of both the X1 and the X2 are identical, what exactly sets the vehicles apart? Well, let’s put it this way – you certainly won’t confuse the two if you see them parked next to each other in the grocery store parking lot. The BMW X2 has been referred to as a “pug-snouted high riding hatchback,” which is an apt description. Weighing in at 3,662 pounds and topping out at 172.2 inches long, the BMW X2 is a fresh take on the subcompact SUV. It has a more narrow roofline than what’s found on the X1 model, which creates a more streamlined and sporty aesthetic, thanks in part to the smaller window openings as well as the model’s more narrow LED headlights. Inverted kidney-shaped grilles announce the SAV’s arrival, and of course, the iconic blue, white and black BMW logo features prominently on both the front and the rear of the vehicle.
Of course, a vehicle with such a bold shape needs a bold color to match, which is why BMW offers a choice of ten distinctive colors for the X2. Drivers can choose from crisp Alpine White, Jet Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Dark Olive Metallic, Mediterranean Blue Metallic – and, for those who truly want to stand apart from the crowd – Sunset Orange Metallic and Galvanic Gold Metallic. No matter if you want to impress the boss with your sleek, sexy and subtle 2018 BMW X2 or if you want to stand apart from all the other parents at soccer practice in your cheerful yellow SAV, BMW’s got you covered with your choice of colors.
Fun Features
One of the worst parts of buying a new car is choosing which trim level to settle for… after all, what’s a few more grand for an upgraded infotainment system, right? Just kidding, it’s actually the worst and always leaves you feeling like you should have bought “more” car for the money. Thankfully, that’s not an issue with the 2018 BMW X2, as it’s only available in one trim – the sDrive28i. Of course, there are plenty of add-ons and packages, so really the sky is the limit, but should you opt for just the sDrive28i-standard package, you’ll have a very nicely appointed vehicle with a 6.5-inch display screen, a rearview camera, HD Radio, Bluetooth and a seven-speaker audio system.
However, if you really feel the need to add a little something extra to your X2, check out the Convenience Tier. For $2,350, the Convenience Tier equips your X2 with sweet features like a moonroof, keyless entry, and satellite radio. There are several packages and even stand-alone features available for purchase with the X2, so no matter if you want an upgraded sound system, wireless phone charging or advanced safety features like rear parking sensors, you’ll certainly be able to customize your X2 to your exact liking.
X2 – The New Face of BMW SAVS
So is it time for the BMW X1 to step aside? Honestly, no. The X1 is still a terrific vehicle. However, it is time to check out the all-new 2018 X2 and see for yourself how the X2 is ushering in yet another generation of greatness to the BMW SAV family.