Review: Finally, a model I can live with – BMW iX2 electric ‘SAV’ coupe

How can you have an SUV and make it look like a coupe? And why in God’s name would anyone want one?

Several brands have them, including Mercedes and BMW. The latter had a few outrageously contorted-looking yokes when it first brought them out. The original X6 and X4 coupes still give me sore eyes. Thankfully, things have been toned down in subsequent iterations and they no longer affront the senses to the same extent.

But brand people will tell you American and Chinese drivers, in particular, love them and, as they comprise a significant volume of sales worldwide, the sports coupe remains.

So here we are with the latest SUV coupe, this time from BMW. I should really respect the company’s wishes by calling it an SAV: a sports activity vehicle as opposed to sports utility vehicle.

It is the new X2 series, and as well as its petrol versions there is the first electric model, the iX2.

This car just goes to show you how things can evolve from being a “put off” to a “come on”.

Well, “come on” is probably overdoing it a bit, but there is no doubt the compact SAV I had on test is a long way visually from those wretched shapes of yore.

I found myself really liking the car’s looks, especially in stunning Fire Red on a sun-soaked day. A beautiful car it is not, but it now has an appeal of its own. That is a measure of how well they have designed the angle of the slope and tucked it all in with hard and soft touches across the front (blanked-off kidney grilles), along the flanks and around the rear.

There was no awful cut-off point from which the roofline plunged into boot-top as happened with the early behemoths mentioned.

Instead, the car is stretched, making it bigger all round than the predecessor, and the slope of the roof has been eased in a pleasing fashion.

In ringing the changes, the maker has also differentiated the new X2 range from the smaller X1 on which it heavily relies for major chunks of engineering and technology.

Finally here was something I could live with – enjoy, even.

However, there is a price to pay. The iX2 has a smaller boot than its petrol pals. It is down by 35 litres to 525 litres for the basic boot and loses 70 litres (to 1,470) with the back seats folded flat. Still, it is a substantial amount of space.

To get a sweeping profile of this magnitude, the X2 is longer (4,554mm) than the crossover it replaces (up 194mm – it is even 54mm longer than the X1). Compared with the old X2, it is 21mm wider, at 1,845mm; is 64mm taller and has a 22mm increased wheelbase. Track front and rear are wider, so you get a muscular look from the ground up.

I was impressed by the amount of cabin space, with comfort improved by lovely seating and class materials

BMW’s huge Curved Display digital interface is pivotal on the dash/front.

I would prefer if there were more tangible buttons; the risk of distraction can increase if you are using the touchscreen too often. That said, it is a particularly good example of how to project a clear, sharp infotainment system. There is near instant response and finding one’s way around and into it is nearly idiot-proof.

The 10.7ins central display and the 10.25ins screen relay information clearly, though I still think some of the smaller items graphically, such as the percentage of battery power remaining, could be boosted in size.

I was impressed by the amount of cabin space, with comfort improved by lovely seating and class materials.

As you’d expect from a Beemer, it was a solid performer on the road, though it lacked the lithe feedback and sense of dynamism I thought having an electric BMW ‘engine’ would bestow.

For all that, it was really quick off the mark: it takes just 5.5 seconds to reach 100kmh. I enjoyed it on a long trek; well-judged steering and regenerative braking.

I had a great driving position, and only special self-generated noise kept it from being utterly silent.

This may be a compact SAV, but it is a heavy bit of machinery, weighing in at more than two tonnes (2,090kg), out-punching stablemates by as much as 325kg.

Range on a single charge is claimed, depending on model, to go from 417kms to 431kms. And for the time I had it, the battery read-out looked like it could go quite near the 400km distance. Rivals include the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, the Mercedes EQA and Volvo’s EX30 Performance.

As I said at the start, I risked putting people off by mention of a coupe SUV. Well, if you happen to have stuck it out this far, I think you’ll agree things have changed a lot. I’d buy it and I even know the colour: Fire Red.

Factfile

BMW iX2

xDrive30 M Sport electric SUV coupe, AWD, 313hp, 64.8kWh battery, 10pc to 80pc in 29 mins, €120 tax.

From €59,161 for eDrive 20. Car tested (iDrive 30): €76,311.19.

Range from 417km to 431km. 0-100kmh in 5.5secs.

Standard spec includes M Adaptive suspension, heated front seats, charging cable, eDrive exterior sound, parking assistant, charging card and cable for public charging stations.

Options include M Sport package Pro, technology pack, sun protection glass, 19ins alloys.​