2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 Review

In what feels like a lifetime ago way back in 2013, BMW released its first mass production electric car: the i3. It proved that BMW was capable of breaking away from tradition to make an electric hatchback with great packaging – yet also still apply the great driving experience we became used to from the brand. Nowadays, the i3 is unfortunately long dead but the brand has significantly more EVs, like the 2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30. Is it the best electric BMW currently available? Let’s find out.

The iX2 is the electric version of the brand’s smallest coupe SUV: the X2, which was released earlier this year locally. Like the X1 on which it’s based, the second-generation X2 is larger than before, but it’s also stylistically different too, having taken on a more coupe-like appearance than the sloped back previous X2. The iX2 is the latest in an increasingly long line of electric BMW products to hit Australia, and handily for many potential EV buyers, it’s priced below the FBT threshold. Is it worth consideration?

How much does the 2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 cost to buy?

For the moment, there are two models in the iX2 range in the Australia: the entry-level eDrive20 and the upper-spec xDrive30 tested here. Pricing starts at $82,900 plus on-road costs for the entry-level model, while the xDrive30 asks $85,700 +ORC or around $93,000 drive away, depending on location.

iX2 xDrive30 standard equipment:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Dusk- and rain-sensing LED exterior lighting with front and rear daytime running lights
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors with kerb side auto-dropping in reverse
• Keyless entry with push button start and phone key access
• Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• Acoustic glazing
• Electric tailgate
• ‘Veganza’ synthetic leather upholstery with synthetic leather dashboard trim
• Leather steering wheel
• Electric front seat adjustment with heating
• BMW ‘Iconic Glow’ illuminated grille
• 10.3-inch digital driver’s display
• 10.7-inch touchscreen with inbuilt 5G eSIM
• Augmented reality satellite navigation
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Head-up display
• Wireless phone charger
• 4x USB-C charging ports

iX2 xDrive30 safety equipment:

• Seven airbags (including a front centre unit)
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction assistance
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Adaptive lane guidance
• Blind-spot monitoring with front- and rear-cross traffic alert
• Low-speed rear automatic braking
• Matrix adaptive high beam
• Driver attention monitoring
• Exit warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• 360-degree camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reverse parking assistance
• Inbuilt dashcam

The iX2 is yet to be tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP, but the related X1 received a five-star rating in 2022 with scores of 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 94 per cent for safety assist.

iX2 xDrive30 options:

• Enhancement Pack (metallic paint, panoramic glass roof, Harman Kardon sound system, heated steering wheel, front seat lumbar adjustment and front seat massaging): $3,615
• M Sport Package Pro (20-inch wheels, M seat belts, red high-gloss M Sport brakes and M Light Shadow Line): $4,900

iX2 xDrive30 colour range:

• Alpine White
• M Brooklyn Grey (+$1,385)
• Skyscraper Grey (+$1,385)
• Cape York Green (+$1,385)
• Fire Red (+$1,385 – on our test car)
• Black Sapphire (+$1,385)
• M Portimao Blue (+$1,385)
• Frozen Portimao Blue (+$3,846)
• Frozen Pure Grey (+$3,846)

iX2 xDrive30 interior colour range:

• Black suede/synthetic leather
• Brown synthetic leather
• Black synthetic leather
• Cream synthetic leather
• White/grey synthetic leather (featured on our test car)

There are many competitors to the iX2, including the Mercedes-Benz EQA and upcoming Audi Q4 e-tron, but we consider the Volvo C40 in top-spec Ultimate form (around $97,500 drive away) to be the iX2 xDrive30’s main competitor.

Against the BMW, the Volvo initially looks like poor value for money considering that it’s around $4,000 more expensive to buy (depending on location) but features like a panoramic roof, Harman Kardon sound system, a heated steering wheel and front seat lumbar adjustment that are part of the BMW’s optional Enhancement Package are standard on the Volvo, as are premium paint and 20-inch wheels. But the BMW then adds a larger centre screen with a wider range of features and a head-up display over the Volvo. Overall, we think the iX2 and C40 are closely matched on their respective value equations.

How far can the 2024 BMW iX2 travel on a charge?

The 2024 BMW iX2 uses a 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery for a claimed 449km of range (WLTP). The iX2 xDrive30 can be charged at up to 130kW on a DC fast charger for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in as little as 29 minutes or up to 22kW on an AC charger. Both type two and type three cables are included with the iX2 xDrive30’s purchase price, as is a three-year subscription to Chargefox public chargers.

That battery feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive drivetrain, which makes 230kW of power and 494Nm of torque and the claimed 0-100km/h sprint is dusted off in a claimed 5.6 seconds. The claimed energy consumption for the iX2 xDrive30 is 18.5kWh/100km and in our testing, it returned 19.6kWh/100km – not great, but not far from the claim either. But some buyers will want more performance and range and for them, the C40 uses a 300kW/660Nm dual-motor drivetrain which is fed by an 82kWh battery for up to 507km of range (WLTP).

What is the 2024 BMW iX2 like to drive?

Using the same ‘UKL2’ platform as its iX1 sibling, as well as the new Mini Countryman, the BMW iX2 drives quite well and feels lighter than its 2,020kg tare mass would suggest. Despite its front-biased platform, the iX2 exhibits some typically-BMW driving qualities like a taut but comfortable ride quality and keen handling that differentiates it from the C40, which feels too stiff by comparison and not as sweet a handler. But if there is a weak link to the dynamic package, the steering is it – it’s too light and needs more feel for greater connection to the driver.

At higher speeds, the iX2 feels planted and it’s quick as well – quicker than its 0-100km/h time would suggest. The C40 is definitely faster against the stopwatch and by the seat of your pants, but the BMW is no slouch and we think it provides more than enough performance for most buyers.

Having said that, we’d love to see BMW offer an M-badged iX2 with more performance and sportier tuning – in fact, we’re surprised that such a variant is not yet on sale because we think it would sell well. Heavier steering with more feel and firmer suspension would be great additions to the iX2 for more of a fun factor from behind the wheel, but the reality is that the iX2 is a great commuter thanks to its comfort levels. It’s also quiet from behind the wheel, with not much road noise.

As you’d expect for a coupe SUV, the visibility of the iX2 is not its strongest point thanks to small windows and a thick C-pillar. But its range of active safety equipment makes you feel safe thanks to their accurate tuning. We wish you could adjust the following distance for the adaptive cruise control from the steering wheel, however – it’s annoyingly done through the touchscreen – but both the adaptive lane guidance and adaptive high beam work quite well.

How luxurious is the 2024 BMW iX2?

As we’ve seen with its iX1 sibling, the the 2024 BMW iX2’s cabin is a big step forward for BMW’s entry level models thanks to its high-quality materials and modern design throughout that makes you consider if the extra money for something like an X4 is worth it. We love that it no longer feels like a parts bin interior thanks to bespoke parts being used – take, for example, the speaker grilles for the Harman Kardon sound system, which look great and feel nice to touch as well. Inside, the iX2 feels more special, more modern and more expensive than the C40.

Of course, being a car developed for 2024 means that the iX2 focuses heavily on sustainable materials throughout its cabin. Because of that, there’s no real leather trim used anywhere, aside from the steering wheel. In its place is BMW’s ‘Veganza’ synthetic leather upholstery, which features on the seats and doors and in person, it looks and feels great. Because the seats are perforated, the seats breath nicely – unlike the synthetic leather trim in a Tesla Model Y, and they’re also quite comfortable. The front seats feature massaging functionality as part of the optional Enhancement Package as well.

The iX2’s cabin is fairly practical as well, though there are caveats. The door bins are large, as are the glovebox and front cup holders but the tray underneath the centre armrest – which only opens towards the driver, which is awkward in right-hand drive markets – is quite shallow and the storage underneath that is covered but not enclosed, so that items stored there are visible from outside the car. We do love the wireless charger, however, which features a locking clip to hold your phone in place (and so it actually charges as well, unlike a lot of other automotive wireless chargers).

In the centre of the iX1’s cabin is a 10.7-inch touchscreen with BMW’s new iDrive 9 that features a 5G eSIM for live services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation with live traffic and digital radio. Unlike larger BMW models, it’s solely controlled via touch – the controller wheel that iDrive made famous no longer features on the iX2, unfortunately.

It’s a fully featured system but can be daunting to use at first thanks to the sheer amount of features available, while its menu system isn’t the easiest to use. But it’s a definite improvement on iDrive 8 thanks to new shortcut buttons and a home screen with more features than before so that you may not need to access the application menu for a certain function. The Harman Kardon sound system in the again-optional Enhancement Package is pretty good too, and we’d tick that box just to get it.

The rear seat of the iX2 is perhaps its downfall as it’s just nowhere near as roomy as its iX1 sibling in both leg- and headroom thanks to its sloping roofline. It’s very much a form-over-function space, which is fine considering that the iX2 is the iX1’s more stylish sibling, but it’s something to note if you regularly carry passengers in the rear. The rear seat of the iX2 features reclining seatbacks (though not the sliding seat base of the iX1), two USB-C charging ports, map pockets, small door pockets and – unlike the iX1 – the soft materials continue to the rear.

The boot of the iX2 measures 525-litres with the seats up and 1,400L with them folded, which is 36L/195L larger seats up/down respectively larger than the C40. Handy boot features include an under-floor section, side storage and hooks to carry bags. Unlike the C40, the iX2 does not feature a front boot or under-bonnet storage, unfortunately.

How much does the 2024 BMW iX2 cost to service?

BMW Australia covers its new cars with a five-year/unlimited km warranty with an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the battery and three years of roadside assistance. A six-year/unlimited km service pack costs a reasonable $2,200 ($366 per service).

Volvo also covers its products with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and an eight-year battery warranty, though five years of roadside assistance is included with the C40’s pricetag and if it’s serviced at a Volvo dealer, that can be extended up to eight years in total. The C40’s price includes a five-year service plan.

Should I buy a 2024 BMW iX2?

If you’re after a mid-size electric SUV and don’t mind trading some practicality for extra style, the 2024 BMW iX2 xDrive30 is a pretty good option that’s definitely worth consideration. An electric SUV with a BMW badge that’s loaded with equipment for under $100,000 drive away is pretty good value to us, especially one that has such a lovely interior, a comfortable driving experience and good performance.

Counting against the iX2 is its snug rear seat, poor rear visibility, average range and DC charging speed and that the cabin could be more practical – but, the latter issue is fixed by choosing the iX1 that also happens to be less expensive. But overall, there’s pretty good buying with the iX2 and if you’re after such a car, we recommend discovering what it can offer you.