I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the 2025 BMW X2 M35. As a longtime BMW fan, the X2 has always occupied a strange space. It’s the one we’re supposed to brush off, the oddball that doesn’t quite fit the brand’s traditional enthusiast mold. But after spending a week behind the wheel, I walked away genuinely surprised. Not only is this new X2 a massive leap forward from its predecessor, it’s also a solid, well-rounded performance crossover that’s far more exciting than I ever expected.
How does the new X2 look?
BMW did a great job of giving the new X2 a stronger identity. It’s larger and feels more planted than before, with a bolder design that reflects this. The coupe-like profile no longer looks like a compromised X1, but rather a distinct and purposeful shape that stands on its own. My tester was finished in Skyscraper Grey Metallic for an extra $900, a colour that added depth and style, especially in the sun. The optional 21-inch Style 874M wheels looked striking, but they’re a poor choice for our potholed-and-pockmarked local roads. They make the ride needlessly harsh especially on broken pavement, and they ultimately took away from the everyday usability of an otherwise well-tuned chassis. Thankfully, they’re optional—if the 20s on the X1 M35i we reviewed last year strike the best balance of style and ride comfort.
Driving impressions
Ride-quality critique aside, this X2 M35i does bring the goods. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. It’s a quick little thing with more than enough thrust for daily driving and the occasional on-ramp flex. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is well-calibrated and responsive; you can play with the paddle shifters, but the transmission is so competent by default that you rarely feel the need to intervene.
Our tester had the $2,500 M Sport Pro Package option box ticked. It adds some welcome bite in the form of upgraded brakes—red is the sportiest colour, after all—as well as some extra visual enhancements inside and out that signal the M35i’s sporting intent.
How’s the BMW X2 M35i inside?
Inside, things are a bit more polarizing. There’s no question the cabin looks modern and upscale, and I liked the welcome splash of colour from our tester’s two-tone Coral Red and Black faux leather interior—speaking of, BMW calls this upholstery Veganza, yet it feels like the real thing. BMW’s curved display running iDrive 9 is beautiful to look at and intuitive in operation, but I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing.
That something was the iDrive controller. Once the gold standard for infotainment ergonomics, omitting the rotary knob is a misstep. Relying solely on touch inputs and haptic buttons robs the experience of the tactility and precision that BMW interiors were once known for. It all works, but it just doesn’t feel as satisfying. The overall lack of physical controls cheapens what is otherwise a very polished environment, and it’s something loyalists will likely take issue with.
Still, there’s plenty to like. The Premium Enhanced Package, which adds $5,500 to the total, includes a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, BMW’s Digital Cockpit Professional with augmented-reality navigation, and more. These features enhance day-to-day livability—especially the nav, which displays any next turn over an image pulled from the front camera—and help justify the price. And despite its sleek roofline, the X2 remains surprisingly practical with decent rear-seat space and usable cargo room. It’s a car you can live with easily, even if it wears the badge of a performance crossover.
On the safety and tech front, the optional Advanced Driver Assistance Package, at $2,000, delivers lane centering, adaptive cruise, and an active safety suite that’s well-calibrated and unobtrusive. I especially appreciated how the cruise control handled stop-and-go traffic, and how BMW’s lane guidance remained confident without being overbearing. This is tech that works with you, rather than against you.
Is this sportiest X2 worth it?
Though the X2 M35i starts at $60,400, our tester worked out to $71,800 as equipped. That’s a hefty sum for a compact luxury crossover, putting the X2 M35i squarely in the crosshairs of the Mercedes-AMG GLA and GLB 35, and even the base Porsche Macan. Some of those rivals offer more refinement or badge prestige, but the X2’s charm lies in how surprisingly complete it feels. This isn’t just a quirky design exercise anymore. It’s a fully realized offering that finally knows what it wants to be.
It’s rare to go into a review unsure of how you’ll feel and come out the other side not just impressed, but genuinely rethinking your assumptions. The 2025 BMW X2 M35i may not be the purist’s dream, and it’s not without its flaws. The harsh ride with 21s and the lack of physical controls are its biggest offenders. But it delivers far more driving enjoyment, practicality, and visual impact than most would expect. For the buyer looking for something compact, quick, and distinctively BMW, this new X2 might just be the one they didn’t know they wanted.
