The covers finally came off the BMW iX2 compact crossover towards the end of 2023, with the new EV arriving to fill the gap between the iX1 and iX3.
The new BMW is based on the second-generation BMW X2, marking the first time the firm's sporty crossover has gained a fully electric variant. It follows the i4, iX1, iX3, iX, i5, and i7 in the German marque's electric line-up.
BMW launched the first-generation X2 as a sportier sibling to the BMW X1, but it was only offered with a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains.
The compact crossover-style SUV was conceived to appeal to a younger audience, and featured a more sporty aesthetic compared to other BMW SUV models on sale at the time.
Set to rival the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo C40 Recharge, the BMW iX2 is bigger than its ICE-powered predecessor, and is now 200mm longer, 21mm wider and 64mm taller than the first-gen car.
Up front the iX2 has gained the iX1’s larger kidney grille which, unlike the standard car, is sealed off for greater aerodynamic efficiency.
Thanks to the sleeker front end and underbody aero elements, the iX2 has a drag coefficient of 0.23Cd, which is 0.02Cd better than the petrol-powered X2.
Move to the rear and the iX2 could be mistaken for the brawnier BMW X6, due its rakish roofline. Unlike the X6, the iX2 gets a small rear spoiler that sits at the bottom of the rear window.
Want your iX2 to have a little more glamour? Well then you’ll want to add the optional LED light signature that surrounds and illuminates the kidney grille, which BMW calls Iconic Glow.
The iX2 is offered in xDrive30 guise only, and is powered by the same dual-motor, four-wheel drive powertrain as the iX1, which develops 233kW and 364lb ft of torque.
Power is drawn from a 65kWh battery which promises a range of up to 279 miles. That’s 42 miles less than the Audi Q4 e-tron (321 miles) and 62 miles less than the all-wheel-drive Volvo C40 Recharge (341 miles).
The iX2 can be charged at up to 130kW, which is some way off the 350kW speeds that both the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 can achieve.
BMW says that despite this shortfall, the iX2 can be charged more consistently thanks to revisions in the charging software, with a smoother drop-off curve.
The fresh-faced coupe-SUV had also received an extensive overhaul inside and features the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system.
On the dashboard sits BMW’s curved display which is formed of two screens: a 10.25in digital drivers display and a 10.7in touchscreen for controlling the iDrive system.
BMW’s new EV has also gained its recently launched Airconsole service, which allows smartphone games to be played via the car’s infotainment screen on a subscription basis.
Thanks to its bigger proportions, the cabin has grown in size and thus offers greater legroom for rear passengers.
Boot capacity is up by 115 litres compared to the original model.
The German marque has also adopted a number of new production methods to bolster its sustainability efforts and reduce carbon emissions. For example, BMW claims to have become the first car maker to use matt paints made from biomass instead of crude oil.
BMW says that wheels are responsible for 5% of all the CO2 emissions during car production. It has since switched to using cast-aluminium for wheel production with the manufacturing process using solely renewable energy to cut emissions by half.
Recycled materials are also set to play a bigger role in BMW’s future, with the firm aiming to reduce the input of primary and raw materials. BMW will do this by increasing the proportion of ‘secondary’ materials in future models, including the X2.
The iX2 costs from £56,540, with first deliveries set to begin in March this year.
