What’s the difference between the BMW X1 and the BMW X2?

BMW’s small SUVs offer style, luxury and technology – plus the option of electric power. But how do they differ? We compare the pair.

BMW X1 vs X2: In a nutshell

The BMW X1 and X2 sit in the small SUV class, rivalling the likes of the Audi Q2, Alfa Romeo Tonale, and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The latest X2 model is due to arrive in Australia within the coming months, following a European rollout commencing in March, while the X1 received a significant update at the end of 2022, gaining more space, styling tweaks, and additional technology.

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The BMW X1 was the best-selling vehicle for the brand in 2023, with BMW selling a whopping 4644 of its small SUV. In contrast, the current X2 model is at the end of its life cycle and, therefore, didn’t see as much success in 2023, with just 294 sold in total.

In a nutshell, the BMW X1 is cheaper, but the X2 is more powerful. When it comes to size, the X1 is taller but offers less boot space, while both vehicles sit on the same wheelbase.

Official fuel consumption figures for the X2 xDrive 20i are yet to be released, so we cannot disclose which is the more efficient of the two. Stay up to date with any further information about the new BMW X2 here.

If you’re trying to decide between the two BMW models, you’ll want to find out which is best suited to your requirements. It’s worth noting that the information below refers to the latest model of the BMW X2.

How much does the BMW X1 cost?

The BMW X1 range kicks off at $60,400 for the base model, sDrive 18i, with the range-topping M35i xDrive starting at $90,900.

How much does the BMW X2 cost?

The BMW X2 range kicks off with the xDrive 20i, priced from $75,900, with the top-of-the-range M35i xDrive starting from $92,900.

How big is the BMW X1?

The BMW X1 sits in the small SUV class, rivalling the likes of the Volvo XC40 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

It measures 4500mm long, 1845mm wide, 1642mm high, and sits on a wheelbase of 2692mm.

How big is the BMW X2?

The BMW X2 also competes in the small SUV class, going up against its younger sibling in the X1, along with the Audi Q2 and Alfa Romeo Tonale.

It’s 4554mm long, 1845mm wide, 1575mm high, and sits on a wheelbase of 2692mm.

How big is the boot in the BMW X1?

The boot in the BMW X1 is 540L with the rear seats upright and 1600L with the rear seats folded – up on its competitors with the XC40 at 460/1336L and the GLA providing 435/1430L.

How big is the boot in the BMW X2?

The cargo capacity in the BMW X2 is 560L with the rear seats up, with the maximum capacity at 1470L with the rear seats folded.

In comparison, the Audi Q2 offers 355/1000L, while the Alfa Romeo Tonale offers 500/1550L.

How many seats does the BMW X1 have?

The BMW X1 is available with five seats.

How many seats does the BMW X2 have?

The BMW X2 has five seats. If you’re in the market for a seven-seater, you’ll need to upgrade to the X5, which offers the option of seven seats.

Is the BMW X1 all-wheel drive?

Yes. The X1 xDrive 20i is offered in all-wheel drive. It packs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder developing 150kW and 300Nm, sending power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The claimed 0–100km/h time is 7.4 seconds.

The base-model sDrive 18i is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder sending 115kW and 230Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for a 9.0-second 0–100km/h time.

The BMW X1 is also available in electric form. Both variants of the iX1 are offered in all-wheel drive.

Is the BMW X2 all-wheel drive?

Yes. All models in the BMW X2 line-up are all-wheel drive; this includes its electric version models, the iX2 Drive 20 and the iX2 Drive 30.

The BMW X2 xDrive 20i shares the X1’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (good for 150kW and 300Nm), which drives all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The M35i xDrive has the same drivetrain; however, it shares its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘B48’ petrol engine with the X1’s same grade, developing 233kW/400Nm. BMW claims a 0–100km/h sprint time of 5.4 seconds, making it more powerful than its younger sibling.

Is the BMW X1 a hybrid or electric car?

Yes. The X1 is offered in electric form and is known as the BMW iX1.

Two electric iX1 variants are currently available – the iX1 ‘xDrive 30’ and the ‘xDrive 30 M Sport’. Both models are priced the same at $84,900 plus on-road costs, but the M Sport brings some of the sporty styling cues.

Additional features for this specification include larger front cooling inlets, a rear diffuser, black Alcantara/Sensatec upholstery with blue contrast stitching, and an aluminum ‘Hexacube’ dark interior trim.

Both are powered by dual electric motors, developing up to 230kW and 494Nm, with the German car maker claiming the SUV can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.

There’s also a third variant due in Australian showrooms in the coming months. The iX1 eDrive20 will be the brand’s cheapest electric vehicle, serving as the new entry-level offering in the German automaker’s EV range.

Priced from $78,900 plus on road costs, the eDrive20 is powered by a single electric motor, capable of 150kW/247Nm, and has a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 8.6 seconds.

Is the BMW X2 a hybrid or electric car?

Yes. The X2 is offered in electric form and is known as the BMW iX2. The two BMW iX2 variants provide different levels of power, torque, and driving range.

The BMW iX2 eDrive 20 is powered by a 150kW/247Nm electric motor on its front axle, delivering a claimed driving range of up to 477km in European WLTP testing from its 64.8kWh battery pack.

The top-of-the-range iX2 xDrive30 scores dual electric motors producing up to 230kW/494Nm and is capable of a claimed 449km of driving range.

While the eDrive 20 offers more range, the xDrive 30 is more powerful and is equipped with ample standard features, including M Sport appearance package, power-adjustable, heated front seats, a head-up display, adaptive M suspension, M Sport leather steering wheel, ‘Veganza’ vegan leather-look upholstery, and acoustic-glazed windows, to name a few.

BMW has not yet confirmed features for the iX2 eDrive 20.

The eDrive 20 starts at $82,900, while the xDrive 30 kicks off at $85,700. Both prices exclude on-road costs.

Does the BMW X1 have a spare wheel?

No. The BMW X1 doesn’t have a spare wheel, rather it is equipped with run-flat tyres.

Does the BMW X2 have a spare wheel?

No. The BMW X2 doesn’t have a spare wheel, rather it is equipped with run-flat tyres.

Is the BMW X1 safe?

The BMW X1 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Tested in 2022, it scored 86 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, and 94 for its safety assist.

The BMW X1 is equipped with the driving professional plus pack as standard, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, front, and rear parking sensors, reversing assistant, and automatic parking.

Is the BMW X2 safe?

The latest model of the BMW X2 is set to arrive in Australia at the beginning of 2024; therefore, it is yet to be tested. The previous generation scored a five-star ANCAP safety rating when awarded a 90 per cent rating for adult occupant protection; however, it received a low score for its safety assist (70 per cent).

Standard across all models, the BMW X2 receives adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go), lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, parking assistant, and a drive recorder.

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