I drove BMW's new $53,000 X2 SUV. It was sporty and fun, but there are better options for less money.

Benjamin ZhangSep 17, 2024, 03:37 IST

The 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i in Storm Bay Metallic.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>The BMW X2 is a subcompact luxury SUV that competes against the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Audi Q3.</li><li>I liked the X2's peppy performance, well-designed interior and standard all-wheel-drive.</li></ul>Premium automakers like <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/audi-rs-6-rs6-avant-wagon-camping-cars-travel-winter-2021-2">Audi</a>, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-new-electric-suv-vision-neue-klasse-x-2024-3">BMW</a>, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-benz-e450-review-luxury-sedan-hybrid-engine-tech-2024-8">Mercedes-Benz </a>depend on subcompact crossovers as entry points to their brands, targeting younger consumers looking to get a taste of luxury at an attainable price.Audi has the Q3, and Mercedes-Benz has the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/2021-mercedes-benz-gla-250-review-specs-photos-compact-suv-2020-8">GLA</a>.BMW has mechanically identical twins: the conventionally styled X1 SUV and the sleek, second-generation X2, updated for 2024.

I recently had the chance to drive the 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28 on winding roads in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The X2 xDrive28i.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came out to $52,745.

The X2 xDrive28i's rear end.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Exterior styling is not the X2's strong point.

The X2 xDrive28i in Storm Bay Metallic.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2's side profile also doesn't do it any favors.

The X2's sharply raked roofline.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

However, I did like my test car's 19-inch double-spoke, bi-color alloy wheels.

The X2's 19-inch M double-spoke bi-color alloy wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2 is powered by a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.

The X2's 241 horsepower, turbocharged inline-4.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The engine can be started remotely using the X2's key fob.

The BMW key fob.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2 is pretty fun to drive, and the brakes are fantastic.

The X2's front cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The interior is impressive, especially for an entry-level premium vehicle.

The X2's cockpit.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The centerpiece of the X2's dash is a single-piece curved display.

The X2's curved screen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

BMW's iDrive system has come a long way over the past 20 years.

The X2's 10.7-inch touchscreen running BMW's iDrive9 infotainment system.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The camera system is equipped with a built-in washer.

The X2's rear camera and camera washer.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The X2's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The digital instrument screen was clear and concise.

The X2's digital gauge configurable digital gauge display.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2's seats are upholstered in imitation leather.

The X2's front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Instead of a traditional shifter, BMW went with a toggle-style shifter located on the center console.

The BMW X2's shifter.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

That allowed BMW to put a wireless charger and cupholders in front of the center console and a storage area underneath.

The X2's wireless charger and under console storage.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Above the center console is an optional interior camera.

The selfie camera.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also part of the premium package is BMW's Panorama Skyroof.

The X2's Panorama Skyroof.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2's rear seat passengers have their own air vents, USB-C plugs, and cupholders in the fold-down armrest.

The X2's rear seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Headroom is where the X2 falls short.

The X2's back seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open up the power rear hatch, and you'll find 25.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seats.

The X2's cargo space.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There is additional storage under the rear cargo floor.

The X2's spare tire.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2 comes with a host of safety and driver assistance features, but adaptive cruise control costs extra.

The front of the BMW X2 xDrive28i.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The X2 is a fun, small crossover with a nice interior, but other BMWs are better choices.

The gray 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

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