The BMW iX2, the German automaker’s smallest electric SUV-coupe designed for young and bold customers, is a forbidden fruit for the U.S. I had the opportunity to check it out in person at the 2024 Paris Motor Show this week to see what exactly we’re missing. Here are my observations about the new electric SUV-coupe from the event:
Design
The BMW iX2 features a powerful and stylish exterior that exudes confidence and elegance. Its distinctive front-end is upright for a powerful look and flaunts striking matrix LED headlights, an almost hexagonal upper grille featuring illuminated surroundings, and a prominent lower air intake grille. The upper grille is closed-off and embellished with an intricate structure and surfaces in finished Quartz Silver to convey sophistication.
On the sides, flush-fitting door handles and body-colored flared wheel arches add to the BMW iX2’s upscale styling. The greenhouse gets sleeker towards the end for a sportier look. Obviously, the main highlight here is the roofline, which flows dynamically into the rear-end, resulting in a flat back glass. The rear combination lamps mimic the expressiveness of the headlights, while a Gurney-style rear spoiler completes the dynamic exterior.
Interior
Inside, the BMW iX2 balances the heavy look of an SUV with the sleekness of a coupe and borrows design cues from the BMW iX. A slender dashboard featuring a frameless glass surface that integrates a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a floating central armrest, and Aluminium Hexacube light finish trim strips contribute to its modern aesthetic. Another interesting visual element is the ambient light system, which emits pulsating light signals for various functions, such as an incoming phone call.
Electrically adjustable sports seats with memory and massage functions and lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof with a dark-tinted glass surface, four USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon sound system are additional interior highlights of the BMW iX2. The compact EV offers 525 liters (18.5 cu. ft.) of cargo space behind the rear seat, which customers can expand to 1,400 liters (49.4 cu. ft.) by folding the backrests.
My experience with the BMW iX2
As a six-foot-tall person, I faced no problem with ingress or egress in the BMW iX2. In the front seats, I found the headroom was excellent and the under-thigh support was good, too. I liked the side bolstering as well, as I felt they offered decent support for my shoulders.
My experience in the rear seat was quite different, though. I can say it’s not the most comfortable place for taller passengers like me. BMW has made some efforts, such as carving out the seat backs for a bit more knee room, adding air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a center armrest with cup holders. The rear windows are designed to let in a decent amount of light, and the glass roof helps brighten the space.
However, the main issue is the limited knee room, which is tight for someone with long legs. My head was nearly touching the headliner, leaving just about an inch of clearance, which could feel cramped on longer journeys. While the height-adjustable headrests do add some comfort, it’s clear that the rear seat isn’t the priority in the iX2. It’s more of a driver-focused vehicle, with the rear seat best suited for shorter adults or kids.
Specifications
The BMW iX2 is available in eDrive20 FWD and xDrive30 AWD variants. The base variant employs just one motor, good for 150 kW (201 hp) and 250 Nm (194 lb.-ft.) of torque, which allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 8.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). It has a 64.8 kWh battery pack that gives it a WLTP range of up to 478 km (297 miles).
The top-end variant, which was the one I saw at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, has one motor at both ends, together producing 224 kW (300 hp) and 494 Nm (364 lb.-ft.) of torque. As a result, 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) comes quickly, in 5.6 seconds, and the top speed is higher – 180 km/h (112 mph). This variant also uses a 64.8 kWh battery pack, but its WLTP range is up to 449 km (279 miles).
Price
The BMW iX2’s prices in France start at EUR 46,950 (USD 50,887).
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
