The redesigned 2024 BMW X2 boasts more cargo room, expanded voice-activated controls, and standard driver assistance features. In this episode, we share our first impressions and discuss the changes, including its powertrain, and we compare the X2 to other BMW models, including its close sibling, the X1. We also answer audience questions, including whether or not stop/start systems are worth it, what happened to cornering headlights found on vehicles from the '70s, and options for a reliable small car for a fan with a short commute.
More info on the 2024 BMW X2 here:
Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests:
SHOW NOTES
———————————–
00:00 – Introduction
00:16 – Overview: 2024 BMW X2
01:18 – Why a X2
03:18 – Driving Dynamics
05:23 – The Ride
07:10 – The Handling
07:53 – Inside the Vehicle
10:05 – Comfort
11:17 – Controls
15:35 – Highs and Lows
17:05 – Question #1: Are stop/start systems worth it, or is it just another point of failure?
21:38 – Question #2: Why cars today don’t have cornering headlights such found on 1978 Buick Electra?
24:59 – Question #3: What is a good option for small, reliable, and reasonably priced car to handle small commute?
———————————-
Preview: Redesigned 2024 BMW X2 Grows Larger and Gains More Tech
Redesigned 2023 BMW X1 Grows in Size and Technology
2024 BMW X2
Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead
———————————–
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Apple Podcasts!
Video version:
Audio version:
Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify:
———————————–
To find out how products scored in CR’s rigorous lab tests—and to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day—become a member. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. Join now at
Stockburger is that irritating person next to you on a plane who doesn’t shut up and eats Pringles, apple slices, and Raisin Bran from baggies she packed the day before.
🚗🚙
In theory, I like the idea of stop-start, but as you discussed, the execution of that technology can be a limiting factor. For example, my 2020 Outback XT (with the turbocharged engine), has stop start but not only does it not stay stopped for very long (10-30 seconds on average only; even with climate control off and my foot firmly on the pedal), but the re-start is what I would describe as “violent.” The car will buck/lurch forward. It makes me especially wary of using it when I’m first to the crosswalk and I have pedestrians in front of me. In contrast, the same Outback with the normally aspirated engine, had a much more seamless re-engagement. That said, I still do use it sometimes and over the last 2000 miles (there’s a gauge that tracks this) I’ve saved roughly one tenth of a gallon of fuel, from having stopped for about 40 minutes total.
The engine start-stop feature is intended to reduce emissions as much as (perhaps more than) improve MPG. Imagine a busy intersection where 50% of the stopped vehicles are NOT idling and emitting noxious fumes. Then multiply that by the thousands of intersections in this country. Start-stop can be definitely a pain to adjust to, but it does serve a purpose. It could make a real difference if enough vehicles had the feature and if people would stop disabling it.
Would , like to see Alex ing the BMW and The STIG in a model Y Dual motor do a few laps!
Thank you for talking about visibility. When I think back to the BMW 2002 and it’s tall side widows and thin pillars, I had to wonder why designs these days have such small windows and huge blindspots, especially in the back. When I mention visibility with my car friends all I hear back is that there are cameras now so visibility out the windows is not important.
1:08 and by “sportier” these days it means in the smallest possible unit of measurement “more sporty” that it can be.
what would a “unit of sportiness” be?
You all bring up a great point about auto start-stop paired with a dual-clutch transmission. When paired together they tend to be unpredictable and jerky at times. I drive an Audi Q5 which is a mild hybrid and the auto start-stop is flawless, but as soon as the transmission catches after starting up again it becomes very unsettled most times. It’s sort of a shame because I do see really impressive improvements in fuel economy when I have auto start-stop on. In my short 10 minute commute I see about 4-6 mpg better than if I have it off.
Jen’s back! X2 looks good stuck in traffic.
I don’t expect many manufacturers to dedicate much effort and expense to create lighting systems specifically for the U.S. since the U.S. NHTSA has dug in its heals and refused to follow EU lighting standards which have become the default for the rest of the world including Canada. After I had the LED-matrix headlights of my U.S. market German car reprogrammed, perhaps illegally, to function as if the vehicle was located in German, I now have curve adaptive headlights, a super wide beam pattern at lower speeds (far greater than 180 degrees) that functions as corning lights, the high beam headlights are on most of the time over 18.6 mph with oncoming and preceding vehicles “shadowed” by turning off and on individual LED’s in the matrices to keep from blinding and irritating other vehicle occupants, pedestrians on or near the roadway are now targeted with concentrated beams of light (3 flashes) to warn both the them and me. Toyota and other manufacturers began lobbying the NHTSA to allow these adaptive beam headlights in around 2014 and here we are 10 years later with the NHTSA having done nothing except needlessly studying technology that the rest of the world adopted years ago.
25:05 Paul, just get the new hybrid Camry. It is, by far, the definition of a car that will last forever. Toyota is the best in hybrid design too.
What about a more expensive, uglier and less practical X1? -the management at BMW trying to bankrupt the company
I’m sorry, the BMW doesn’t seem worth buying to review. It’s not that different than the X1, and not at all an improvement, from what you say.
I was impressed by the third question. As I recall, 2005 was the first year of the Tucson, and if it’s lasted 19 years, that’s remarkable. We’ve owned a lot of Hyundai products, and always gotten good service from them.
Is this derived from or shared with the Mini Countryman platform, FWD based?
Ugly car design, no harmony of sharp lines!
Just curious, how do you decide when a car is worthy of an entire episode like this? This is great analysis, but picking an X2 seemed a bit odd. Fantastic work nonetheless.
Start-stop systems have evolved a lot since they were first introduced and reliabiility concers are mostly unfounded. My 2018 Passat BiTDI has done 230k kms and never had issues with the start-stop. I usually keep it active, but do turn it off occasionally during heavy city traffic. I did replace the car’s battery a bit sooner than expected, but that’s had a hard life from other sources too (parking heater, Dynaudio sound system).
BMWs used to look pretty cool. Not sure what this monstrosity is.
The 2018 Ford Focus ST-3 has auxiliary cornering lights with adaptive (HID) headlamps. They only work when the light switch is turned to the “Automatic” headlights position. I believe the ST-2 has them, too, but I am sure the ST-1 does not. They are effective, and you only notice them when you really need them.
They activate when you are in gear. As soon as you turn the wheel, they work in concert; the headlights turn, and it will turn on the auxiliary light for the direction you are turning.
Cool, additional fact; when your wipers for the windshield are active, regardless of the setting, you shift into reverse, and the rear hatch wiper activates automatically on the intermittent setting.
P.S. The Focus ST (& RS) have one of the best anti-theft systems in the world… it is called a “6 speed MANUAL transmission”.
Jen, in the 1920’s there was a luxury car that had secondary mechanical headlights that turned with the steering wheel.