BMW iX2 Review

The iX2 has the normal BMW feel when you get into the cabin, with the familiar thick-rimmed M Sport steering wheel and the latest dashboard, which, although featuring a wide ‘Curved Display’, is still instantly recognisable as a BMW.

What might be different compared to the majority of BMWs over recent years is the way the power is delivered to the road. Rather than the rear-wheel drive experience of 3 Series models upwards, the iX2 is front-wheel drive, and although the iX2 xDrive30 is all-wheel drive, thanks to the equal 50/50 power and torque split front to rear, the handling is very neutral (and of course very secure).

Ride quality is good (although it doesn’t quite match the ultra-comfortable ride quality of the BMW iX3), which is combined with the normal refined and quiet overall driving experience of an EV.

Performance is impressive in the xDrive30 model, with a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.6 seconds. There’s even a ‘boost’ control on the left-hand side of the steering wheel; if you need to carry out a quick bit of overtaking this can deliver a short blast of extra power.

The iX2 has standard drive mode choices of Personal, Sport and Efficient, however three additional modes are available via BMW Digital Premium: Expressive, Relax and Digital Art. Acceleration in Sport mode is accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s ‘BMW IconicSounds Electric’ futuristic sporty soundtrack. Efficient mode includes a MAX RANGE function which BMW claims can increase the driving range by 25%.

The iX2’s gear selector gives you the options of D or B, the latter delivering increased levels of brake regeneration. High, medium or low braking energy recovery can also be selected through the touchscreen.

BMW’s iDrive system has included a rotary controller and shortcut buttons between the front seats for many years, but in the iX2 (like the iX1) this has disappeared – you now only have the option to control car settings by pressing buttons on the touchscreen, like virtually all other cars. The shortcut buttons for Media, Tel and Nav are now on the right of the touchscreen.

The user-friendly physical cabin heating and ventilation controls have also gone – again replaced with buttons at the bottom of the screen, which you need to press to bring up the full range of climate controls.

The iX2 has manual rather than electric seat controls, and as with the majority of new cars, if you don’t like the car corrupting your steering, you’ll need to switch off the lane departure warning system.

New to EVs? Elevate your charging know-how by taking a look at our charging guides: How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle? and How long does it take to charge an electric car?

The BMW iX2 is offered in two variants in the UK, the BMW iX2 eDrive20 and the BMW iX2 xDrive30, with M Sport specification as standard.

The BMW iX2 eDrive20 has a 204 hp electric motor at the front axle with a WLTP driving range of 272 – 283 miles and is priced from £51,615.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport costs £56,540.

The BMW iX2 is another desirable electric BMW. It’s reasonably compact and when this is combined with the 302 hp powertrain in the xDrive30 model the result is a fun driving experience. The all-wheel drive system delivers excellent levels of grip, but with the 50/50 power and torque distribution you do lose the traditional BMW rear-wheel drive bias. The iX2 has the latest BMW interior, with a touchscreen and a driver’s instrument display merged into one wide curved screen, but the iDrive rotary dial and physical shortcut buttons have disappeared, so all car controls have to be selected by pressing the touchscreen. For this size of car, the driving range is decent, and the price reflects the premium positioning.