BMW X2 M35i: test, price and technical data sheet of the sports SUV Coupé

A small revolution, that of BMW X2. The Bavarian company revolutionizes the medium-small sized SUV Coupé both in terms of design and dimensions. From the first generation (390,000 units sold from March 2018 to December 2023) to the second there is a difference of 19 cm in length. Furthermore, the new X2 adopts shapes more in line with those of the X4 and X6. The range consists of diesel variants (2.0 with 150 HP), three-cylinder mild hybrid petrol (1.5 with 170 HP), petrol (2.0 with 300 HP) and electric (313 HP). On the roads of Portugal it was possible to test these last two configurations. For the M35i – this is the name of the purely petrol sports variant – it starts from a price of 63,200 euros, while the electric one costs 60,000 euros round. The diesel variant remains the cheapest, 44,800 euros, while the mild hybrid starts from 46,100 euros. They will arrive in Italy starting from March 2024 together with the less powerful iX2 with 204 HP and front-wheel drive.

BMW X2 M35i: how it is made, the design

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A shark at the front: this is how the front end of the new X2 was defined at the international presentation in Portugal, like a dynamic silhouette and a sculpted car body. We can only agree, adding that if it is true that the dimensions change (+19.4 cm long, +6.4 in height, +2.2 cm in wheelbase and +90 liters of trunk), it is equally true that this is given by the adoption of a rear design that is decidedly more SUV Coupé-like than crossover-like. Now the rear window is enhanced by a sweet and arched shape which, as mentioned, brings the “little” X2 closer to its bigger sisters the X4 and X6.

BMW X2 M35i: how it is made, elements in sight

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All in all, the design is attractive and sporty. At the front, the usual double kidney grille with backlit frame, the new design of the LED headlights and the elaborate bumper with corners and edges that enhance its geometries stand out, thanks to the M Sport Package Pro which gives the car plenty of grit. From the side you can see the elaborate shape of the rear-view mirrors, which are far too large, to the point of being cumbersome when making turns, especially those to the left. At the rear it is impossible to overlook the four exhaust pipesthe attractive shape of the extractor and the small spoiler positioned above the revisited light signature.

BMW X2 M35i: how it’s made, the technique

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As for the sportiest version of the lot, the M35i, it boasts a four-cylinder in-line, 2-litre turbo petrol engine 300 HP of maximum power e 400 Nm of couple. There is no support from electric motors. The maximum speed is around 250 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is covered in around 5.4 seconds, practically on par with the best hot hatch front-wheel drive C segment with the same power band. The brake discs are specific and optionally can also be drilled for better ventilation. The two-tone alloy wheels are 21″.

BMW X2 M35i: how it is made, the interior

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On board the X2 M35i you feel like you are in a truly sporty car. First indication: the M Sport seats (optional) are quite containing and allow you to remain firmly in place when you really drive, through the bends. Second indication: there are specific paddles (of considerable size and not cheap) for rapid gear changes at will. Third and final indication: at 0° the steering wheel presents the usual red cut characteristic of sports cars which allows you to immediately identify the center of the steering wheel. The interior materials are very beautiful, with leather and Alcantara that alternate and blend with the Curved Display technology. The 10.25″ digital instrument cluster and 10.7″ infotainment system are continuations of each other. Both use the new BMW OS 9 operating system. Plenty of space for the occupants of the second row. More than enough the 560 liter trunk.

BMW X2 M35i: how it’s made, the technology

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The list of driving assistants is long, fortunately some of which can be deactivated in order to make driving more relaxed or more dynamic as possible depending on the driver’s needs. Inside the package Adas frontal collision warning, cruise control with brake function, lane departure warning and parking assistance with rear camera should be noted. You can draw liberally from the optional list and enrich the technological equipment by implementing the adaptive cruise control with Start & Stop function and the Steering and Lane Control Assistant. Finally, the head-up display is optional, as is the remote activation of technological functions via the BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades.

BMW X2 M35i: how it goes

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Having tried the X2 M35i and the iX2 a few hours apart, the comparison is easy. Focusing more on the endothermic and then referring a more accurate examination of the battery version to the specific article, it is interesting to note how the set-up of the purely endothermic variant – despite the calmest driving mode among those available – is, by feel, more stiffer than the sportier configuration of the iX2. Now, framed within the X2 context, the M35i still remains a high-riding car. Which is why the sporty set-up provided by the adaptive M air suspension and a deliberately more incisive calibration where needed is an appreciable element, but should not be a cause for concern in terms of comfort. Never uncomfortablecertainly absorbs potholes and digests the pavé in a less casual way than its electric twin, but at the same time maintains an enviable balance capable of satisfying numerous needs, from weekend trips with the family to long journeys through to having fun along a winding road. And this is where it surprises: despite the dimensions no longer so small and a weight that is not negligible (1,695 kg), the car always moves harmoniously, in unison, with good communication between the front and rear. Despite the sometimes damp asphalt covered during our test, the four-wheel drive allowed all the power to be released to the ground without too much difficulty. In Sport, then, the noise emitted by the four exhaust pipes is really pleasant.

BMW X2 M35i: pros and cons

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Right away advantages and disadvantages of the BMW X2 M35i tested on the roads of Portugal.

• set-up: rigid and sporty as it should be on an M. But also with the addition of a discreet comfort given by the fact of having a height from the ground typical of a medium-sized SUV Coupé;
• design: revolutionized compared to the first generation, in person it has its charm, sporty and captivating;
• interior: quality materials with leather and Alcantara and supportive sports seats make a good impression;
• Sound: in Sport mode the acoustics inside the passenger compartment are pleasant.

• visibility: the rear window is small, the rear-view mirrors very large with a bulky cap. This is particularly noticeable when turning left;
• steering wheel: the crown has an excessively sausage shape;
• brake pedal: rather harsh in response, it is not always easy to correctly calibrate linear braking.