The 2018 BMW X2’s design defines today’s compact luxury crossover tropes.
Each decade has its fashionable trends. The ’80s had big hair and brightly-colored glasses, while the ’90s toned everything down a bit for a caring, sharing sort of approach. The same trends ring true in car design. Especially as cars move away from rounded design toward more aggressive, sleeker designs, we’re in the midst of another automotive fashion trend. Crossovers are red hot right now, and every manufacturer has decided to fill their production lines with stylish, yet practical family haulers. Companies like BMW have accommodated every niche of crossover buyer with their X vehicles. From the diminutive X1 all the way up to the iconic X5 (and impending X7), there’s something to suit everyone’s size requirements. However, BMW takes a slightly different approach with their even-numbered “Sports Activity Vehicles”, like this: the 2018 BMW X2.
The X2 joins a competitive field in the world of subcompact luxury crossovers. While it’s based on its X1 cousin, the X2 is a slightly different animal. This car is more trendy to the X1’s traditional crossover layout. The 2018 BMW X2 moves to set itself apart from the crowd, but how does it go about doing that? In today’s video, we go through our top five reasons it defines today’s crossover trends.
5. Coupe-like styling
BMW’s even-numbered crossovers (e.g. the X2, X4 and X6) all sport coupe-like styling in an SUV package. The idea is that you have the sleek aesthetic of a sporty-looking coupe with the practicality of an SUV. While that approach can make for a good looking car, it does have its drawbacks. Automakers tend to sacrifice some rear seat headroom in favor of the sportier appearance.
4. It’s a subcompact luxury crossover
Let’s face it, we don’t all have more than $60,000 to plop down on a new BMW X5. As a result, luxury carmakers are moving into smaller segments to attract younger buyers, or folks looking to downsize. To that end, the 2018 BMW X2 starts at around $36,400 for a front-wheel drive model. That puts it on par with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Infiniti QX30 and the new Volvo XC40. Fully loaded, this X2 costs $50,920.
3. All-wheel drive layout
Like every other subcompact luxury crossover, the BMW X2 is available with all-wheel drive. In standard form, the X2 has a front-wheel drive layout – not what you’d normally expect from a BMW. However, by offering an all-wheel drive system, the X2 is competitive with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti and Volvo in the battle for sales.
2. Eight-speed automatic transmission
Six speeds in your gearbox just aren’t fashionable anymore. No, now the world is moving on to eight-speed transmissions instead, as the 2018 BMW X2 has. Some, like the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Infiniti QX30 (since they share powertrains) still use a seven-speed transmission. However, most modern crossovers now feature eight forward speeds.
1. Turbo power
2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Those words are probably used more commonly than any others when talking about cars in this segment. Downsizing and turbocharging have become necessary to meet emissions standards. As a result, the 2.0-liter turbo engine has become an industry standard in cars like the 2018 BMW X2.
BONUS: Standout colors
For better or worse, automakers have taken to using bright, attention-grabbing colors in these sorts of cars. After all, this is supposed to be a more youthful segment. While the larger crossovers have a solemn responsibility to uphold the brand’s traditional reputation, the subcompact crossover gets to let its hair down a bit. Cars like the X2 are meant to be more wild child than stern elder sibling. That’s why BMW finished this particular X2 in Galvanic Gold Metallic, a $550 option.
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