2018 BMW X2

The 2018 BMW X2 sits alongside the X1 as the German automaker's smallest crossover offering. Like the X1 and unlike the rest of BMW's lineup, the X2 is based on a front-wheel-drive platform. The X2 puts aside its sibling's handsome but conservative styling in favor of something with a bit more flair. Other cars in the class are the Volvo XC40, the Audi Q3, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and the Lexus NX. The X2 xDrive28i starts just under $40,000, but our tester was loaded with quite a few options. The $2,600 Premium Package adds things like heated seats and a heads-up display, the $4,650 M SportX Package adds the sport automatic transmission, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof. Other individual options include $800 for parking sensors, $500 for wireless charging and $300 for Apple CarPlay. All in, our tester rings up for $50,920. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore — I'm surprised how much I like the BMW X2. I've always been lukewarm on the X1, but its chopped, coupe-styled sibling really won me over. Inside and out, the X2 looks and feels like a BMW. It's small, but not cheap. There's an air of sophistication, and the brand's sporting heritage comes through (tastefully) in this crossover. The steering is weighty and responsive. The turbo four is energetic, and the eight-speed automatic is smooth. All of the basics are in order, making for an engaging driving dynamic. Punching things up in Sport mode is legitimately, well, sporty. There are some downsides, though. The X2 is small, meaning there's little room for a car seat. The area underneath the hatch is pretty tight, though I was able to put a stroller in it comfortably. For the compact crossover segment — especially the coupe-styled sub-segment — the X2 is fine. If you have children, you'll want an X3. A few other issues: Visibility, as expected, is poor out the back. The cupholders are on the narrow side and a little hard to reach in their position at the base of the center stack. Also, our tester comes in at $51 grand. That's a hefty sticker for a small hatch, albeit a handsome and fun-to-drive one. Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder — I was pleasantly surprised by the BMW X2. I liked it considerably more than I thought I would. Generally speaking, small crossovers don't really get me going (unless, of course, they have an electric powertrain). I think the looks and handling of a sedan are more exciting. I wasn't too impressed with the X2 when I saw it on the show floor at the Detroit Auto Show in January, either. Boy did I change my tune when I drove home on a rainy evening this week. From the outside, its tight proportions belie the cozy interior. It's a little scant on head-space, but I liked everything else about the interior layout, and particularly appreciated the subtle mood lighting. The actual driving is pretty wonderful, too. I did the trek home in Eco …
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