BMW has added another SUV to its X range, the X2. The X2 is two centimetres shorter and more than seven centimetres lower than the BMW X1, but has the same wheelbase. Featuring short overhangs, it also has a stretched, coupé-style roofline and slim window graphic.

The kidney grille has always been an identifying feature of a BMW. On the X2, however, its outline is wider at its base than at its top. The X2 is the first modern BMW to feature this design cue, and it gives the new car a broader, more distinctive and sportier appearance. Below the grille, the hexagonal surface treatment in the bumper is designed to reinforce this impression. The high-gloss black grille provides sharp contrast with its chrome surround.

Full-LED headlights as standard on Sport, M Sport and M Sport X models. The bi-LED light for low beam and high beam is highly effective at illuminating the road, while also accentuating the BMW X2’s sporty character.

The M Sport and M Sport X models are available with wheels in sizes up to 20-inches. As standard, both models are fitted with 19-inch wheels. The standard rims for the SE model are 17-inch V-Spoke style light alloy wheels, but ten other rim designs can be specified as options.

The side skirts are black on the SE and Sport models and Frozen Grey on the M Sport X. The C-pillars host two characteristic BMW features: the hallmark BMW Hofmeister kink and, for the first time on a BMW X model, the BMW roundel. At the rear, a spoiler rounds off the BMW X2’s roofline and contributes to its drag co-efficient of just 0.28.

On the SE and Sport models, the rear bumper comes in the vehicle colour and matt black. The M Sport models feature a diffuser-look cladding inlay in Dark Shadow metallic. M Sport X models, meanwhile, get a bespoke diffuser insert in the contrast colour Frozen Grey.

The horizontal design lines of the BMW X2’s rear-end are intended to emphasise the car’s width and strong character, with these lines continuing into the high-set rear lights. The LED rear lights contour and the L shape familiar from BMW coupés.

The car hints at the power of its BMW TwinPower Turbo engines through the design of the tailpipes. All X2 models come with a twin exhaust arrangement 90mm diameter.

The instrument panel has contrast stitching as standard, while the centre console features materials including Sensatec also with contrast stitching. The interior of the M Sport model is trimmed in a Micro Hexagon fabric Anthracite/Alcantara combination, with the M Sport X adding leather upholstery as standard. Eye-catching highlights can be added by opting for the new perforated Dakota leather in Magma Red or the Micro Hexagon fabric Anthracite/Alcantara combination upholstery with yellow contrast stitching to match the Galvanic Gold metallic exterior paint shade.

The M Sport model comes with Micro Hexagon fabric Anthracite/Alcantara combination upholstery with M piping in blue or yellow with contrast stitching on the instrument panel and the centre console as standard. The M Sport X model comes with Dakota leather with contrast stitching. Further upholstery variants are available as options, including as many as five Dakota leather variants with part-perforation and coordinated contrast stitching. There’s a choice of trim finishers, including High-gloss Black, Aluminium and matt Oak Grain variants.

Excluding the SE model, all functional controls in the centre console are set in high-gloss black as standard.

An optional lighting package within the Plus pack allows drivers to set a lighting mood for the interior of their BMW X2 by choosing from the colours Orange, Lilac, Mint, Bronze, Blue and White. The LED lighting in the trim surfaces of the instrument panel and door panels forms a continuous band that extends all the way around the cabin to the rear.

One of the most distinctive options on the list is the panoramic roof, which adds to the sense of spaciousness inside the BMW X2. The front section of the panoramic roof tilts and slides open, just like a conventional sunroof.

The car’s driving responses can be adapted by using the Driving Experience Control switch, allowing the driver to choose between default COMFORT mode, efficiency-enhancing ECO PRO mode and SPORT mode. The pre-programmed set-up available via SPORT mode gives the car more dynamic steering and powertrain responses.

If the optional Dynamic Damper Control is specified, the car’s suspension can be adjusted more precisely to individual requirements. Drivers can choose between two settings – COMFORT or SPORT – using the Driving Experience Control switch.

The M Sport suspension fitted as standard on the BMW X2 M Sport and M Sport X is a particularly good match for these two models and includes tauter spring and damper tuning. BMW X2 M Sport and M Sport X models offer suspension which is 10mm lower than the standard suspension.

At launch, the X2 xDrive20d diesel variant will be available. It generates maximum output of 187 bhp and 295 ft lb of torque enabling a zero to 62mph time of 7.7 seconds. Official fuel consumption is 61.4mpg, while CO2 emissions are as low as 121g/km. Further variants of the BMW X2 will be added to the Sports Activity Coupé’s line-up in early 2018 – in the shape of the four-cylinder X2 sDrive20i, X2 sDrive18d and X2 xDrive18d.

The 20d diesel model comes equipped with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard. The integral Hill Descent Control feature enables the BMW X2 automatically to maintain a desired speed on steep descents by taking care of brake control for the driver, who can then devote their attention to the task of steering.

BMW says that with a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.28, the X2 xDrive20d is one of the most aerodynamically efficient models in the whole segment.

*Fuel consumption figures are based on the EU test cycle and may vary depending on the tyre format specified.

All of the BMW ConnectedDrive and BMW Connected elements in the new BMW X2 have been designed to assist, inform or entertain the driver at the appropriate time using just the right services.

The new X2 offers its driver three different ways of interacting with their car, as the sixth generation of the iDrive control concept now supplements the familiar iDrive Controller and optional voice control (within Tech pack) with touchscreen operation as standard for the Control Display.

Standard specification for every BMW X2 includes a 6.5-inch Touch Control Display with navigation system. The display concept is designed to provide the driver with a quick summary of the most important information at any particular time by means of, for example, the live tiles that appear in the display’s main menu. Its operation emulates the intuitive touch control principles familiar from smartphones.

For greater safety and convenience in the BMW X2, there is the option of the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, also featured within the Technology Pack, projects all important driving information and navigation/assistance system readouts onto the windscreen and therefore into the driver’s field of view – in high resolution.

BMW Connected+ provides a digital bridge between smartphones and the car. It delivers the next level of in-car personalisation and smartphone content integration on the Control Display of the X2. This makes display and operation in the vehicle simpler than ever. One example of a new Connected+ service is Share Live Trip Status which allows the driver to share their current location and time of arrival with business partners, friends or family.

Among the other highlight features enabling connectivity anytime, anywhere are the optional WiFi hotspot preparation (available in Tech Pack), which equips the BMW X2 to host a built-in WiFi hotspot with LTE speeds, and the optional telephony with wireless charging (available in Tech Pack) for compatible smartphones. Apple CarPlay (available retrospectively from the BMW ConnectedDrive Store), meanwhile, enables easy, wireless in-car use of selected iPhone functions.

Not only does the BMW X2 offer drivers a wide selection of driver assistance systems, it also comes with highly advanced technologies.

The camera-based assistance systems available for the new BMW X2 help to deliver assurance and safety in different driving situations. The optional Driving Assistant (within Drive Pack) includes Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info with No Passing Info display, anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant, as well as Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function. In addition to these functions and as an upgrade to the Driver Pack, the Driving Assistant Plus also features the Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function – which maintains both a desired speed between 19 and 87mph entered by the driver and the safety distance to vehicles travelling ahead – and the Traffic Jam Assistant. At speeds up to 37mph, this function takes over both proximity control and lane-keeping tasks from the driver. The Traffic Jam Assistant uses steering assistance to keep the car reliably in the middle of its lane, but the driver needs to have at least one hand on the steering wheel for the system to work.

Standard rear Park Distance Control and the rear-view camera (within Vision Pack), whose images are transferred onto the Control Display, make precise and comfortable manoeuvring that much easier. The optional Park Assist (also within Driver Pack) also helps the driver to find and make use of parallel parking spaces.

Prices start from £33,980 OTR for a BMW X2 xDrive20d SE. The car is available to order from mid-November.