Sushi is a bit like Marmite, in the sense that either you love it or you hate it. Personally, I love it – actually, I love Marmite too, but that's beside the point. I can appreciate the artistry, the heritage and even the modern interpretation of the dish.
Those who are not particularly fond of the ancient Japanese cuisine will lament the fact that it is overpriced, and call it a meal for those who are too lazy to cook their food (Hi, Dad!). Those people will say that it's a half-hearted attempt for those who only know how to do one thing – cook rice – and a nearly sure-fire way to end up flirting with the porcelain throne.
While this sounds perfectly reasonable to me, and I can justify both the pricing and risk, I tend to avoid cars that present a similar philosophy – at least some of the time. The BMW X2 is one of those which I would give a wide berth.
Concept car-like design.
The Bavarian manufacturer’s latest luxury crossover was launched earlier this year and met with mixed reactions. Punters were questioning whether another compact crossover was actually necessary with the X1 already in rotation, with the compact SUV line of the X3 and X4 available to those who desired a touch more space.
The design was also questioned. With its adventurous new design approach, it presented neither the hatchback design nor the coupe styling that one would expect from an even-numbered BMW, rather opting for a stand-alone look – except that this one’s looks are a little unfinished.
Up front, the trademark kidney grilles appear inverted, creating more of a frown than a smile; and the grey plastic trim of the M Sport X package surrounding the front air dam, while lending to a more open-looking front end, makes the X2 look as though it has been styled by the makeup department of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Uninspired triangular vents flank the sides, and are surrounded by sharp creases. These flat surfaces seem to be in discord with the rest of the styling, which presents itself in a more rounded fashion. It seems a little rushed, and not as well thought out as say, an F30 3 Series.
At the rear, the styling isn't too unfamiliar. The taillights carry a modern BMW LED arrangement, and while narrower than we're accustomed to seeing in a BMW Crossover / SUV, they're attractive and complement the styling. Our test unit was kitted out with a set of meaty 20-inch double-spoke 717 M wheels that, surprisingly enough, didn't compromise the ride quality too much. The side panel detailing, specific to the M Sport X Package, lends an air of ruggedness to proceedings. As such, the X2 will not be mistaken for anything but an X2 – there will be no X4 / X6 confusion scenarios here.
Its proportions are not ungainly, and one could say that, despite the few concerns up front, it's a rather handsome vehicle, or as BMW positions it, a compact Sports Activity Vehicle. That is until you open the door and realise that they put it in the wrong place. The rear doors are fine, they open nice and wide, and are long enough to make ingress effortless. The fronts, however, are akin to that small cupboard door that you find in your kitchen, right where the two corners meet: rather difficult to get anything through. The B-pillar juts out rather far forward from its base, creating a playground jungle-gym that one needs to negotiate before slumping into the seats.
Something Old, Something New.
Inside, the rushed, uncooked trend continues with the first point of concern being the shift lever with its steel rod and leather gaiter. With a look and feel as though it was lifted from the interior of an E28 5 Series, this tactile interface is misplaced in the trendy and modern interior with its vegan-friendly Alcantara seats, contrasting yellow stitching, aluminium hexagon trim finishes, and LED ambient lighting. The twin sliding covers for the centre console also feel rather sub-par and nowhere near what one would expect in a vehicle of this supposed calibre.
Let's briefly discuss the steering wheel. While it's the familiar leather-bound, multifunction item that one can find in several BMW M Performance offerings, it's the placement of the steering that seems out of place – literally. The entire steering column feels as if it's a full inch off to the right. The last time I drove something with this awkward layout, it was Italian and came from a defunct manufacturer. Undercooked it is then.
High-end(ish) Technology.
It's not all misery and masochism though, as the cabin hosts a technological palate which one would A) not expect in a vehicle this size, but B) expect in a vehicle of this price.
While not the largest we've seen recently, the 6.5-inch Control Display is still legible, clear and tied into BMW ConnectedDrive. As such it offers wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, while the cordless theme continues with wireless charging for compatible devices.
The X2 is still fitted with traditional analogue gauges for speed and RPM and doesn't utilise BMW's full digital display. It does however have two small digital readouts for economy, trip and a temperature gauge - a welcome inclusion, as too many moderns cars omit this.
It does see some of the driver assistance systems from the larger models, with active cruise control, speed limit information, high beam assist, collision- and pedestrian warning with city braking function, as well as lane departure warning (part of the Driving Assist package). Sadly, the latter is only a warning and not the full self-steering lane-keeping assistance, although that can be added as part of the optional Driving Assist Plus package.
Engine and gearbox – good news!
Then we get onto the bit about which modern consumers are disturbingly less concerned these days: the engine and drivetrain.
Mated to the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 140 kW and an impressive 400 Nm of torque. While the X2 is also available with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine in the X2 sDrive20i, that engine is only paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch Sports Automatic.
BMW claims average consumption figures of between 5.0- and 4.8l/100km, and for the first time, I can see those claims being attainable. Through a variety of traffic situations and despite its xDrive AWD and automatic gearbox, the frugal little diesel variant we had on test was returning figures in the mid-5s – completely acceptable, with a creep up to the 7l/100km mark when stuck in heavy traffic.
Conclusion.
The frugal engine and respectable ride quality were the main redeeming factors that lifted my feelings about the X2 into the “ambivalent” range. On the one hand, the styling is a hit-or-miss affair, though it seems that some genuinely approve of the design, while on the other hand, the engineering underneath the sheet metal is still the dependable BMW fare. It's well specced, or rather, can be well-specced if you choose the right options. It's light on fuel and drives rather well, with a respectable balance between being sporty and comfortable. There are some great (and some not-so-great) trimmings, and for you, that may be completely excusable.
However, at this price, I was expecting more. The BMW X2 xDrive20d starts at R700 000, and with the options, we had on our test model, tipped the scales at R820 000. This makes it a rather expensive crossover.
The BMW X2 is geared for those who don't mind paying for the engineering, the art that has gone into the creation of the machine, and the presented package. Like sushi, it may be an acquired taste that some may not understand or be able to reason with. The others will think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
