BMW iX2

Sportier, more stylish alternative to the underwhelming IX] arrives in the UK

- MATT SAUNDERS,

TESTED 8.3.24, COTS-WOLDS ON SALE NOW

Small BMWs have often shown a bit of an inferiority complex over the years. Transverse, high-set engines have meant they've lacked the perfect weight distribution and native rear drive that BMW is renowned for, leading them to overcompensate with a too-firm ride and reactive steering just a slightly try-hard vibe.

Electrification would, you might imagine, be an opportunity to start from a clean slate, but for now BMW is adapting ICE platforms for most of its EVs - including the new iX2.

Its main motor goes in the front; the entry-level eDrive20 version is exclusively front-driven, while this xDrive30 gets another motor at the rear and thereby four-wheel drive.

This is the car BMW is offering up against Audi's Q4 E-tron Sport back, and it's clearly hoping that sporty styling will sell it, which explains the distinctly over-egged biplane rear wing of our test car. Yet the appeal of the iX2's fundamental profile and stance just isn't a patch on that of the best-looking electric crossover-coupés in this class.

The cabin has quite a glitzy, technical, expensive look about it, but it isn't as spacious in the back as those key rivals - and nor do all of the materials from which it's made feel quite as expensive as they look.

It has the iDrive 9 infotainment system, which works well in BMW's bigger cars but here lacks a physical controller so is quite a bit less easy to navigate while you're driving than it could be.