I drove BMW's new $53,000 X2. These 16 features make it a fun entry-level luxury SUV.

The new X2's front facia is dominated by an outlandishly large iteration of BMW's signature kidney grille.

The bucky beaver grille throws off the proportions of a promising front facia, which boasts attractive LED headlight clusters and nifty lattice work in the grille.

The X2's front facia and raked coupe roof aren't my favorite, but they are bold and certainly won't get lost in a parking lot.

The X2 is powered by BMW's B48 engine, found on several other models in the brand's lineup, including the 2 and 3-Series.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in my X2 xDrive28i test car produces a robust 241 horsepower and 295 ft. lbs. of torque.

The engine sends its power to all four wheels through a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

My X2 xDrive28i test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined, on par with competitors in this segment.

The engine can be started remotely using the X2's key fob. When near the car, press the BMW logo three times.

BMW has long referred to itself as the purveyor of the ultimate driving machine.

While I wouldn't go that far in describing the X2, it was certainly entertaining to wheel around north Georgia's winding mountain roads — especially for a crossover SUV.

The adaptive suspension and sticky Michelin tires helped the X2 tackle each corner with aplomb. The steering response was direct, but the feedback was a bit muted.

With a hint of turbo lag, the engine delivered ample power on demand, while the twin-clutch transmission provided quick, crisp shifts.

The X2 sounded surprisingly good in Sport Mode. Even though it's artificially enhanced using electronics, the whooshing sound of the turbo wastegate and the burble of its exhaust made for a great soundtrack for spirited driving.

According to BMW, the xDrive28i test car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a fine 6.2 seconds.

The optional M-Sport brakes provided some of the most consistent and assured stopping action I've come across in an entry-level luxury SUV. They were simply sensational.

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

While I may not love the X2's exterior styling, BMW did an outstanding job on the cabin. It looks and feels like a legitimate luxury vehicle, not the watered-down outlet mall approximation of a luxury experience that once plagued previous offerings in this segment.

Fit and finish are outstanding. Real care and thought went into the details of the interior, from its various storage nooks to the mix of materials and textures on different surfaces across the cabin.

The X2's comfortable heated front seats were upholstered with an attractive perforated mocha vegan leather called Veganza.

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a configurable 10.25-inch digital instrument display, and a heads-up display.

The X2's center stack is home to a nifty vertical wireless charger that keeps the phone in place with a spring-loaded clip.

The X2's 10.7-inch central infotainment screen runs BMW's new iDrive9 system which is pretty intuitive and about as user-friendly as it comes in this segment.

Overall screen quality is excellent. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability also come standard.

As with many vehicles these days, many features that were once handled by physical controls, like the headlights and the air conditioning, are now integrated into the screen.

While the touch-sensitive shortcut buttons to the left of the screen are helpful, physical controls are easier to use on the fly.

The X2 can be optioned with a surround-view camera and a parking assistant that helps you locate properly sized parking spaces.

Above the center console is an optional interior camera. The interior camera can be used to take selfies and record videos. It can also be activated by the X2's security system when the alarm is triggered.

The optional glass Skyroof, which doesn't open, helped bring much-needed illumination to the X2's back seat that's starved of natural light thanks to the sloped roofline and small rear window.

The X2's backup camera has a built-in washer that can be manually activated through the infotainment screen to keep the lens clean.

The X2's rear seat, which boasts an ample 36.7 inches of legroom, offers passengers their own air vents, USB-C plugs, and cupholders in the fold-down armrest.

Open up the power rear hatch, and you'll find 25.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seats. With the rearseats folded, cargo space expands to 51.7 cubic feet.

The X2 comes standard with active blindspot detection, frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and active park distance control.

You'll need to pay for the $1,700 Driving Assistance Package to get features like adaptive cruise control and active lane assist.