However, it was undeniably successful, with both the X6 and X4 onto their second generations now, with the X6 being particularly successful.
That does pose a problem when downsizing though, as the swooping coupe-style roofline gets even harder to pull off the smaller you go.
In other words; the X6 was weird, the X4 weirder and there was simply no way BMW were going to try it on the X2.
Which is why we have this rather brilliantly aggressive looking small SUV you see before you, with a long, low, sloping roofline instead. And, for me personally, it works brilliantly well.
The exterior of the X2 works as a clever modernisation of the traditional BMW look, with the cheekily upside down kidney grille being particularly neat.
The long, wide, low styling also has a practical advantage – it makes the X2 look smaller than it feels on the inside. And it is surprisingly roomy on the inside.
Being based on the same platform as the 2 Series Active Tourer and Mini Countryman means that the X2 is a long way from being “small” in a traditional sense, but clever packaging and its FWD layout mean that interior space is particularly impressive, especially rear leg room.
The interior is traditionally BMW, but distinctly modern too and the yellow stitching and highlights on our test X2 sDrive20i are just enough to be cool, but not enough to be cheesy.
Everything in the cabin is beautiful high quality and the whole thing is very well made indeed, from the brilliant almost retro-style steering wheel to the very cool looking seats that are particularly comfortable and supportive.
It’s not quite perfect though, as the raised centre armrest is a real elbow catcher, and there is still no Android Auto, despite the fact that Apple users are spectacularly well catered to by the (optional) wireless CarPlay connectivity.
Under the bonnet the 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine is brilliantly smooth and powerful, being flexible and responsive right across its rev range.
It even sounds a bit aggressively snarly under acceleration, while the seven-speed automatic is wonderfully slick and responsive.
Around town the FWD X2 is an impressively responsive and powerful little city runabout, that feels like it would be utterly brilliant fun out on a winding road. But hold that thought.
Up to a point, the X2 is every bit a BMW – even if it is a FWD one. The steering is delightfully accurate, while the chassis is nimble and responsive chassis. It also boasts impressive grip and a surprisingly settled ride and remains utterly composed, no matter how silly you or the road gets.
However, without any sort of clever diff the FWD limits of this platform seem to have been reached – under full throttle the steering is corrupted by torque steer, with lots of uncharacteristic tugging and pulling at the steering wheel if you try to push it along a winding road.
While simply buying a 4WD xDrive model would sort this out, it will cost more and the X2 sDrive20i already lands at a hefty $70,990, with this particular example sporting an eye-watering $15,000 worth of options!
However, as a small urban commuter car (which, after all, is what it is supposed to be) the X2 remains a thoroughly convincing and impressively high quality package that looks great.
Specifications:
Body type Five door SUV
Drive Front wheel drive
Engine type Inline four-cylinder turbo petrol
Engine capacity 1998cc
Max power 141kW @ 5000rpm
Max torque 280Nm @ 1350rpm
l/100km (Combined) 5.9
C02 emissions 134g/km
Boot capacity 470 litres
Spare tyre Run flats
ANCAP rating 5 stars
Price $70,990
