BMW iX2 eDrive20 M Sport Review
20 Sep 2024|8,511 views
What We Like
Standout styling
Still very practical despite its coupe-SUV profile
Handles well
Sufficiently-powered (surprisingly) for our roads
Well-sized for Singapore; easy to drive
What We Dislike
Firm-ish ride
Compromised rear headroom and rear visibility
Relatively pricey
Arguably no one is playing the compact segment game better among the premium names than BMW now.
Compact hatchback and sedan (or four-door coupe)? Check. Mini MPV? Check. Smaller SUVs of slightly different shapes? Check and check too. And most important of all for the 2024-minded consumer, all of them qualify for a Category A COE in Singapore.
As if there weren't enough smaller-sized Bavarian flavours for you to choose from, however, BMW is introducing yet another member to its family again: The first-ever, all-electric iX2.
Though BMW's electric family has grown considerably in recent times, the iX2 is only its second offering thus far within the compact segment
Following in the footsteps of the iX1, the iX2 is of rather outsized significance to the brand despite its small-ish proportions.
Till date, BMW's electric portfolio skews more heavily towards its mid- to larger-sized offerings still - but as Singapore's roads and buyers continue to show, the appetite for compact cars with enviable badging is perhaps more voracious than we've ever seen.
Not that the iX2 is that small, though, to be clear.
A few touches separate the iX2 from the X2 - including its closed-off kidney grilles - but telling the two cars apart will require a trained eye
As the twin of the X2 - just with the combustion engine yanked out, an electric motor on the front axle shoved in, and a battery tucked underfloor - the iX2 sits at the limit of what one could classify as a compact coupe-crossover. The growth spurt over the first generation X2 is still worth mentioning at this point: An increase of 194mm (!) in length, 64mm in height, and 21mm in width.
The average Singaporean is unlikely to be able to tell the iX2 from its combustion-powered twin apart, but pay close attention and the usual 'BMW i' trappings will make themselves clearer.
In place of the X2's triangular mesh-grille stands a closed off one studded with split-diamond patterns, while the brand's roundels - on the bonnet and tailgate, and on the rims - are outlined in the characteristic 'i' blue.
Credit for the iX2's racier styling is due to its large 20-inch wheels as well as its Gurney-style rear spoiler
Despite the ruckus that was kicked up when its first pictures were revealed, the iX2's styling has arguably worn well with time.
Coupe-SUVs (or crossovers) tend towards ungainly bulbousness, but the iX2's love for angularity keeps things fresh. Its chevron-shaped taillights - which light up outwards in as you unlock the car - are a special highlight.
Like the X2, the iX2 is also specced solely in the M Sport trim, and rides on eye-catching 20-inch wheels with lightweight rims. (For context, these are the same size as the ones on the i5 Touring.) A Gurney-style spoiler at the rear rounds off the car's racier styling, giving the driver of the family sedan behind a final visual to lock onto as you pull away from a green light.
Fit and finish within the cabin is virtually impossible to fault. The iX2 also gets a Curved Display housing a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter of which runs BMW OS 9
The interior of the iX2 is par for the course for smaller, modern BMWs.
Up front, that's to say a minimalist dash with large screens (housed within the single-panel Curved Display) and a good smattering of storage spaces - although one wished there were just a slightly more generous serving of soft-touch materials.
While rear headroom is unsurprisingly compromised slightly by the roofline, the presence of large windows means the second row never really feels claustrophobic. A flat floor aids things further too
Build quality and fit and finish are virtually faultless, though, and in this trim, the iX2's dual-tone seats look (and feel) expensive, sprinkling a perfectly-portioned dash of visual lightness into the cabin.
Despite its grown proportions, the coupe-SUV styling of the iX2 means the car also comes with the standard coupe-SUV foibles - chiefly, a lack of headroom in the rear. Average-sized adults will fit just fine, but those with taller torsos will have to slouch slightly when seated behind, or risk having their neatly coiffed hair levelled out after a drive out for lunch. On this note, rearward visibility is slightly compromised too as a result of the car's styling.
The iX2's boot is slightly smaller by default than the X2's, but with its large opening and total volume of 583 litres, still makes it a very practical hauler
Having said this, it's not entirely bad since the iX2's large rear windows still allow a good amount of light in. You're unlikely to complain about legroom either, given the car's flat floor.
You'd expect there to be other compromises made between the combustion power to electric switch, and while the iX2's boot is slightly smaller than the X2's, the remaining space overall is still generous for the car's size: A handy 525 litres (or 583 litres, if we're including the underfloor storage). To put this into context, two full-sized luggages will fit without issue (we tried), with the wide aperture aiding loading/unloading.
Propelling the iX2's front wheels is a single motor that produces 110kW (148bhp) and 250Nm of torque - which is quite a fair bit more than what the X2's 1.5-litre inline-three is capable of.
As we often see in the combustion-power-to-electric switch, however, the electric twin isn't quicker on paper. Both cars take the same quoted 10.5 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill; unsurprising, given the iX2 weighs a good 300kg more.
Still, the on-paper caveat is necessary.
The iX2's electric motor gives it more pep off the line than even the best turbocharged engines can muster - easily dispelling any misconceptions of sluggishness that one might associate with its Cat A-neutered motor. Expectedly, the car has less immediate shove to give when you're pushing it closer to three-digit territory, but even then, it never really feels out of breath, and can still cruise along quite easily.
While the iX2 isn't blisteringly quick, its sweet handling and quick steering rack still make it pleasant to drive
Although its performance is not thunderous (both literally and figuratively), the iX2 stays relatively faithful to its sportier outlook too.
An overall sense of tightness and light-footedness pervades the driving experience. The car's suspension, especially in this M Sport trim, is more stiffly-sprung than on your average crossover. And its steering, though par for the course of recent BMWs with its noticeable lightness by default, is also quick. Find yourself a twisty road - as we did - and the iX2 thus presents itself as quite the (silently) eager machine still.
Getting close to 400km on a full charge shouldn't be difficult for most drivers. The iX2 also supports DC charging at up to 130kW, with which its battery can go from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes
Faced head on more than once by rush-hour traffic, and finding itself inevitably in a multi-storey carpark at the end of each day, the cherry on top is the iX2's size. While large enough to offer the space needed by a family (yes, even with that sloping roofline), it's also compact enough to feel like a natural fit for Singapore’s roads.
Finally, as we've seen from many of the brand's other EVs, the iX2 is quite sensible with its energy consumption. Expecting a real-world range of close to 400km from its 64.8 kWh battery is entirely realistic even with some bouts of spirited driving; go lighter with the pedal and one could even nudge the figure above that line.
Pricey as it may be, the iX2 is a polished and arguably well-rounded electric crossover that offers a unique proposition not accomplished by the rest of its siblings thus far
Right-sizing - except in terms of pricing
Despite all of the car's shining qualities, there is one thing, however, that cannot be ignored: Its price. Accomplished as it may be, there are many other machines out there - bigger; more powerful; perhaps even better equipped - that would cost the same or less.
Still, if you're groaning about the iX2's price tag, you're probably already not within BMW's target audience.
The most successful brands know that consumers relish choice. Joining the lineup as the fourth official take on the compact crossover form, the iX2 still has a vital role to play for BMW by blending the style of a coupe-SUV and the joys of electric motoring for the first time.
Debates may rage incessantly around the price of admission for such a combination. Regardless, there's no denying that the iX2 succeeds on its own merits and with its high levels of polish - both as a product from the brand, and as a modern electric car.
Here are a few other electric crossovers on the market you might be interested in!
What We Like
Standout styling
Still very practical despite its coupe-SUV profile
Handles well
Sufficiently-powered (surprisingly) for our roads
Well-sized for Singapore; easy to drive
What We Dislike
Firm-ish ride
Compromised rear headroom and rear visibility
Relatively pricey
Arguably no one is playing the compact segment game better among the premium names than BMW now.
Compact hatchback and sedan (or four-door coupe)? Check. Mini MPV? Check. Smaller SUVs of slightly different shapes? Check and check too. And most important of all for the 2024-minded consumer, all of them qualify for a Category A COE in Singapore.
As if there weren't enough smaller-sized Bavarian flavours for you to choose from, however, BMW is introducing yet another member to its family again: The first-ever, all-electric iX2.
Though BMW's electric family has grown considerably in recent times, the iX2 is only its second offering thus far within the compact segment
Following in the footsteps of the iX1, the iX2 is of rather outsized significance to the brand despite its small-ish proportions.
Till date, BMW's electric portfolio skews more heavily towards its mid- to larger-sized offerings still - but as Singapore's roads and buyers continue to show, the appetite for compact cars with enviable badging is perhaps more voracious than we've ever seen.
Not that the iX2 is that small, though, to be clear.
A few touches separate the iX2 from the X2 - including its closed-off kidney grilles - but telling the two cars apart will require a trained eye
As the twin of the X2 - just with the combustion engine yanked out, an electric motor on the front axle shoved in, and a battery tucked underfloor - the iX2 sits at the limit of what one could classify as a compact coupe-crossover. The growth spurt over the first generation X2 is still worth mentioning at this point: An increase of 194mm (!) in length, 64mm in height, and 21mm in width.
The average Singaporean is unlikely to be able to tell the iX2 from its combustion-powered twin apart, but pay close attention and the usual 'BMW i' trappings will make themselves clearer.
In place of the X2's triangular mesh-grille stands a closed off one studded with split-diamond patterns, while the brand's roundels - on the bonnet and tailgate, and on the rims - are outlined in the characteristic 'i' blue.
Credit for the iX2's racier styling is due to its large 20-inch wheels as well as its Gurney-style rear spoiler
Despite the ruckus that was kicked up when its first pictures were revealed, the iX2's styling has arguably worn well with time.
Coupe-SUVs (or crossovers) tend towards ungainly bulbousness, but the iX2's love for angularity keeps things fresh. Its chevron-shaped taillights - which light up outwards in as you unlock the car - are a special highlight.
Like the X2, the iX2 is also specced solely in the M Sport trim, and rides on eye-catching 20-inch wheels with lightweight rims. (For context, these are the same size as the ones on the i5 Touring.) A Gurney-style spoiler at the rear rounds off the car's racier styling, giving the driver of the family sedan behind a final visual to lock onto as you pull away from a green light.
Fit and finish within the cabin is virtually impossible to fault. The iX2 also gets a Curved Display housing a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter of which runs BMW OS 9
The interior of the iX2 is par for the course for smaller, modern BMWs.
Up front, that's to say a minimalist dash with large screens (housed within the single-panel Curved Display) and a good smattering of storage spaces - although one wished there were just a slightly more generous serving of soft-touch materials.
While rear headroom is unsurprisingly compromised slightly by the roofline, the presence of large windows means the second row never really feels claustrophobic. A flat floor aids things further too
Build quality and fit and finish are virtually faultless, though, and in this trim, the iX2's dual-tone seats look (and feel) expensive, sprinkling a perfectly-portioned dash of visual lightness into the cabin.
Despite its grown proportions, the coupe-SUV styling of the iX2 means the car also comes with the standard coupe-SUV foibles - chiefly, a lack of headroom in the rear. Average-sized adults will fit just fine, but those with taller torsos will have to slouch slightly when seated behind, or risk having their neatly coiffed hair levelled out after a drive out for lunch. On this note, rearward visibility is slightly compromised too as a result of the car's styling.
The iX2's boot is slightly smaller by default than the X2's, but with its large opening and total volume of 583 litres, still makes it a very practical hauler
Having said this, it's not entirely bad since the iX2's large rear windows still allow a good amount of light in. You're unlikely to complain about legroom either, given the car's flat floor.
You'd expect there to be other compromises made between the combustion power to electric switch, and while the iX2's boot is slightly smaller than the X2's, the remaining space overall is still generous for the car's size: A handy 525 litres (or 583 litres, if we're including the underfloor storage). To put this into context, two full-sized luggages will fit without issue (we tried), with the wide aperture aiding loading/unloading.
Propelling the iX2's front wheels is a single motor that produces 110kW (148bhp) and 250Nm of torque - which is quite a fair bit more than what the X2's 1.5-litre inline-three is capable of.
As we often see in the combustion-power-to-electric switch, however, the electric twin isn't quicker on paper. Both cars take the same quoted 10.5 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill; unsurprising, given the iX2 weighs a good 300kg more.
Still, the on-paper caveat is necessary.
The iX2's electric motor gives it more pep off the line than even the best turbocharged engines can muster - easily dispelling any misconceptions of sluggishness that one might associate with its Cat A-neutered motor. Expectedly, the car has less immediate shove to give when you're pushing it closer to three-digit territory, but even then, it never really feels out of breath, and can still cruise along quite easily.
While the iX2 isn't blisteringly quick, its sweet handling and quick steering rack still make it pleasant to drive
Although its performance is not thunderous (both literally and figuratively), the iX2 stays relatively faithful to its sportier outlook too.
An overall sense of tightness and light-footedness pervades the driving experience. The car's suspension, especially in this M Sport trim, is more stiffly-sprung than on your average crossover. And its steering, though par for the course of recent BMWs with its noticeable lightness by default, is also quick. Find yourself a twisty road - as we did - and the iX2 thus presents itself as quite the (silently) eager machine still.
Getting close to 400km on a full charge shouldn't be difficult for most drivers. The iX2 also supports DC charging at up to 130kW, with which its battery can go from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes
Faced head on more than once by rush-hour traffic, and finding itself inevitably in a multi-storey carpark at the end of each day, the cherry on top is the iX2's size. While large enough to offer the space needed by a family (yes, even with that sloping roofline), it's also compact enough to feel like a natural fit for Singapore’s roads.
Finally, as we've seen from many of the brand's other EVs, the iX2 is quite sensible with its energy consumption. Expecting a real-world range of close to 400km from its 64.8 kWh battery is entirely realistic even with some bouts of spirited driving; go lighter with the pedal and one could even nudge the figure above that line.
Pricey as it may be, the iX2 is a polished and arguably well-rounded electric crossover that offers a unique proposition not accomplished by the rest of its siblings thus far
Right-sizing - except in terms of pricing
Despite all of the car's shining qualities, there is one thing, however, that cannot be ignored: Its price. Accomplished as it may be, there are many other machines out there - bigger; more powerful; perhaps even better equipped - that would cost the same or less.
Still, if you're groaning about the iX2's price tag, you're probably already not within BMW's target audience.
The most successful brands know that consumers relish choice. Joining the lineup as the fourth official take on the compact crossover form, the iX2 still has a vital role to play for BMW by blending the style of a coupe-SUV and the joys of electric motoring for the first time.
Debates may rage incessantly around the price of admission for such a combination. Regardless, there's no denying that the iX2 succeeds on its own merits and with its high levels of polish - both as a product from the brand, and as a modern electric car.
Here are a few other electric crossovers on the market you might be interested in!
Car Information
BMW iX2 Electric eDrive20 M Sport 64.8 kWh (A)
$288,888
CAT A|Electric|5.7km/kWh
Horsepower
110kW (148 bhp)
Torque
250 Nm
Acceleration
10.5sec (0-100km /hr)
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- Exterior
- Interior
- The Drive
- Conclusion
