2021 BMW X2

The 2021 BMW X2 is offered in two trims – the sDrive28i and xDrive28i. The base model is an FWD version, while the xDrive is the AWD trim. There are not many differences in terms of features between the two. The standard features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front sport seats, a power liftgate, automatic climate control, and an 8.8-inch touch screen. The M35i model (not covered here) comes with AWD and offers the punchiest engine with the best performance in the line-up, while simultaneously costing more. 

As you can see, there isn’t much difference between the sDrive28i and the xDrive28i. They share most of their features, and the xDrive adds just a couple more bells and whistles. The main game is brought to you by the M-badged X2, which boasts a more powerful and athletic engine along with BMW’s M Sport badging and body cosmetic upgrades. It also adds more luxury features such as 12-way power-adjustable seats and more.

Which trim should you buy?

We’d not generally recommend going with the high-end trim of a vehicle unless it is of good value only. The xDrive28i is a great machine for performance and luxury. If you love a practical and athletic crossover, then this will fulfill all your needs. Granted, it costs more, but the AWD system makes it more capable, no matter the terrain. 

The 2021 BMW X2, for all its peppiness and athleticism, is a surprisingly fuel-efficient car. The base engine in the base trim returns EPA-estimated figures of 24 MPG for the city, 32 MPG for the highway, and 27 MPG for combined driving. The xDrive is an AWD system, so it's obvious that it will return slightly less economical figures. But it only drops the highway mileage to 31 MPG, which is quite consistent. With a gas tank of the size of 16.1-gallons, the engine returns a range of 386/515/434 miles for the city/highway/combined driving cycles.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 offers the best fuel economy, but all the other crossovers are pretty close, with the Q3 being the lowest. However, the difference lies in the range offered. The Bavarian, with the biggest tank, offers the highest range and is the clear winner. The Merc suffers due to its small tank size of 12.7 gallons, which results in an overall range of 355 miles.

The interior of the 2021 BMW X2 is not as exciting as the exterior of the crossover. Being a German car, its cabin feels plush and uses premium and luxurious materials all around, but the design is a bit bland. Not offering the same level of space as its younger sibling, the X1, the X2 is more focused on offering better luxury and comfort. The dashboard looks pretty dated, with no digital instrument cluster and a plain old design that does not appeal to the eye as much as the rivals. The buttons are laid out ergonomically, and therefore, easy to access and use. Almost all surfaces are covered with quality materials, so luxury is omnipresent.

The seats are adorned in SensaTec leather upholstery as standard, which feels quite good. You can also upgrade to Dakota leather upholstery. The base trim comes with a 4-way power-adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seat, while the higher trim can be had with a 12-way power-adjustable seats including lumbar support. Both front and rear rows are spacious, and only very tall adults might have an issue in the rear row. Dual-zone automatic climate control is available only for the front row.

The German compact crossover offers 21.6 cubic feet of cargo storage as standard, and that should be enough for you to store your luggage, bags, groceries, golf club or some other gear for trips. The rear seat folds down in a 40/20/40-split, and that means you can get up to 50.1 cubic feet of uninterrupted cargo space, which should satisfy most people. Some of the interior features include the following:

• SensaTec leather upholstery
• 12-way power-adjustable seats
• Leather steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Leather gear shifter material
• Analog instrument cluster
• Power cargo liftgate

What’s there to keep you entertained?

All the trims of the 2021 BMW X2 are fitted with an 8.8” touchscreen infotainment system that sticks out from the center top of the dashboard. The system runs on BMW’s iDrive system which has been praised as a simple and intuitive system. Also, you will not notice a lot of lag and unresponsiveness. The image quality is crisp and clear.

The standard list of features on offer is Navigation, HD Radio, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, Tracker system, ConnectedDrive Services, USB ports, etc. A big flaw is the absence of Android Auto, even though Apple CarPlay is present. The standard sound system is a 7-speaker system, but you can upgrade to a premium Harman Kardon sound system with 12-speakers. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• 8.8” touchscreen infotainment system
• SiriusXM Radio
• HD Radio
• Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth
• Harman Kardon sound system
• ConnectedDrive Services
• Navigation
• iDrive system

We honestly wouldn’t be able to find a lot of people who wouldn’t like the design of the X2. The sleek design of the German crossover attracts many buyers, and it is one of the primary reasons for its appeal. The 2021 BMW X2 has a very stylish and aggressive front fascia, with the unique but classic BMW headlights looking angry. The famous kidney grille breathes wide and unmistakably helps anyone identify it as a Bimmer. 

The front bumper is new, and it helps add even more style and aggression. The sides also appear strong, and the slanted roofline gives it coupe-like styling, which adds more flavor. The rear sees two sleek taillights and a very muscular body finishing the design off. You might also notice that the X2 is a very compact crossover, to the point where it might be mistaken for a hatchback. 

The M version features the M Sport equipment with a unique body kit, including M Sport Exhaust, M Sport Differential, suspension, and some other cosmetic upgrades. The top model rides on 19” M wheels, but the lower ones ride on 18” wheels. All the lights are LED. All the vehicles are quite close in terms of dimensions, but the Q3 and GLA are the heaviest. The GLA also has the longest wheelbase. Some of the standout exterior features include the following:

• 18” wheels
• Mesh front grille
• Aluminum side windows trim
• Deep tinted glass
• Speed sensitive rain detecting wipers with heated jets
• Chrome surrounded kidney grille
• LED DRLs

We all know that BMW makes one of the safest cars, and they do not compromise on the chassis strength and safety. NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 X2, but IIHS has. The German was awarded “Good” in all the six crashworthiness tests conducted by IIHS and received an “Acceptable” for the headlights and “Advanced” front crash prevention. Perhaps not being the best in these two categories sees it miss out on the Top Safety Pick awards, but it still is an extremely safe and worry-free ride. The available safety features include the following:

• BMW Assist eCall Emergency SOS
• Frontal collision warning w/ city collision mitigation
• Park distance control front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning
• Backup camera
• Dual-stage airbags

2021 BMW X2 vs 2021 Audi Q3 

The Audi Q3 is a very competitive offering from Bimmer’s German compatriot. However, the Q3 is not as athletic as people would have liked it to be in this class.

Audi’s interior designs are always on point and definitely more eye-catching than the Bavarian, but both are pretty luxurious and spacious. The Q3 gets slightly more cargo capacity. Also, styling on both is great. Still, the X2 holds a slight edge over the Q3.

2021 BMW X2 vs Volvo XC40

The Swedish rival to the X2 is also on a very competitive level. Despite having an engine that delivers less power, it can actually get close to the Bimmer in terms of acceleration.

However, the XC40 is not as fun or engaging to the driver as the X2, but it fares better with a more appealing and more luxurious interior. The range is also not as good as the Bimmer, so as long as you are fine with the BMW’s interior quality, it holds the edge.

2021 BMW X2 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250

The GLA 250 is another luxury German rival. It offers similar levels of power and faster acceleration. The GLA is also very engaging to drive, but it does not offer an interior on par with the Bimmer’s quality.

It is also not as practical, with lesser cargo spacing and also low range overall. Some people might love the GLA’s looks, but the Bimmer clearly appeals to a wider range of audiences. The X2 takes the cake from the Merc.

Armed with style and a stout body, the 2021 BMW X2 is one heck of a crossover to drive. With immaculate handling, it also comes with a very capable engine. The xDrive trim is quite capable of handling tricky terrains as well. If you could look past the design of the interior and the absence of certain infotainment features, the X2 is a decent car. It is practical and also saves money on fuel compared to the others, hence, it gets a seal of approval. However, if ultimate luxury is your cup of tea, you will be disappointed with the BMW X2.