What do you get if you cross an SUV with a hot hatch?
The answer is the BMW X2, or as BMW would like you to refer to it, a Sports Activity Coupe.
Although that name might not stick industry-wide, it’s quite clear that it takes the SUV/Crossover market into a new direction, and one that we reckon will only continue to grow.
What makes it our SUV of the Year?
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Put simply, no SUV does it better in terms of kerbside appeal coupled to road manners. Yes, there are worthy contenders out there, but the X2 is a much more engaging driver’s car. It may have a less airy cabin than the Audi, but the BMW is more purposeful and has a much more sporting nature. If you’re trying to combine a premium hot hatch with a compact SUV, then that’s exactly what you need to succeed.
It also has an incomparable combination of a supple ride – unusual for a German performance machine – and exemplary handling.
Which model is the best?
If you want a car that has proper SUV capability and the best performance on offer, there’s only one to go for and that’s the XDrive20d M Sport X, which comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, four-wheel-drive and some performance-developed M Sport features. It has 190bhp, which gives it a 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds, yet it is still capable of up to 60mpg.
It’s also smartly equipped, with M Sport versions getting a full M Sport body kit, LED head and fog lights, M Sport suspension, a choice of 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, heated front sports seats in micro-cloth upholstery, a multi-functional leather steering wheel and contrast stitching on the seats, floor mats and steering wheel.
What about best value?
If you’re after a car that’s a niche within a niche within a niche, then you can’t really get more focused than the Sport trim, which is an SUV hot hatch with front-wheel-drive. It’s a tremendous car to drive – lower and leaner than the X1 on which it’s based, shorter and sportier, it’s a fine handling car with SUV looks and great fuel economy, which ticks a lot of boxes in today’s market…
How about buying one?
We’ve provided a breakdown of the X2 range for those thinking of buying one, which you can view here. It takes you through the range model by model, with all the key stats and spec highlights.
Want to sample the BMW X2 for yourself? Our test drive service can get you behind the wheel of our SUV of the year.
