Test review DrivOlution BMW iX2 xDrive30

General

In line with BMW's strategy, this iX2 is not built on a specific EV platform. The iX2 uses the FAAR platform. FAAR stands for Frontantriebsarchitektur. One of the main advantages of the FAAR platform is its flexibility. It is designed for multiple powertrain configurations, from traditional internal combustion engines to hybrid systems and all-electric setups. This modular approach allows BMW to respond to different market requirements and regulations without requiring separate platforms for each powertrain type.

All versions have the same battery pack of 66.5 kWh of which 64.7 kWh is usable.

• the iX2 eDrive20 - the entry-level version. Features front-wheel drive, has an output of 150 kW (204 hp). Torque is 247 Nm. This version gives you an autonomy of 439-478 km (combined/WLTP).
• the iX2 xDrive30 - it has the same battery eDrive20 and features all-wheel drive. Power rises to 230 kW (313hp) and this thanks to the second engine. Torque is 494 Nm. Autonomy is 417-449 km (combined/WLTP).

My Modes - driving modes

Via My Modes, you have a choice of driving modes such as Personal, Sport, Efficient and Relax, Expressive and Digital Art, allowing you to activate specific settings for the drive and suspension, the style of the displays on the BMW Curved Display and the interior lighting including the BMW Interaction Bar - customising them to suit your current mood or personal preference. Traditionally, our preference is for the Efficient and Personal.

The new MAX RANGE function increases range by up to 25 per cent by limiting power and speed and disabling comfort functions. It is available in My Mode Efficient. Can come in handy when your need to go charging is high.

Regeneration - D/B

No novelties in this area. We recognise the familiar D/B Efficient is the adaptive braking energy recuperation function in driving position D (default setting) : the speed and degree of braking (and thus energy recuperation) are adapted to the topology of the road and, with the help of the navigation system, also to speed limits. If you want to recover more energy, choose B mode and switch to the familiar one-pedal driving.
 

Consumption - general

We added 849 km to the iX2 xDrive30's odometer over a total of 18 recorded trips. The on-board computer clocks in at a combined electric consumption of 15.5 kWh/100 km. This results in an electric driving range of 417 km*.

Consumption - by road type

If we take a look at the trip profiles, we get the following picture :

• Five of the 12 trips were carried out on secondary roads. It results in an average consumption of 15.4 kWh/100 km. Based on the usable battery capacity, you will get 420 km* far.
• 12 trips on motorway giving an average consumption of 15.8 kWh/100 km corresponding to a driving range of 409 km*.
• one city trip with a consumption of 12,3 kWh/100 km which is good for a driving range of 526 km*.

Consumption - by driving mode

The results are based on the selected driving modes i.e. Efficient, Personal, Sport and MAX RANGE. 

• In Efficient driving mode, our favourite, we completed 9 trips. It yielded a consumption of14,8 kWh/100 km.
• The Personal driving mode (6 trips) clocks in at 16,7 kWh/100 km.
• We also tried MAX RANGE (at the city drive) which gives a top result of 12,3 kWh/100 km.
• 2 times we indulged in Sport driving mode. It resulted in consumption of 16,3 kWh/100 km.

* Driving range simulation based on combined trip consumption. In any case, it remains important to always see the results achieved in context because every trip is different (type of road, traffic density, weather conditions, outdoor temperature and so much more).

Consumption results - general

A slightly longer test course than what we are used to and this because of roadworks. We covered 115.9 km. It resulted in a combined consumption of 14.5 kWh/100 km. Based on the usable battery capacity (64.7 kWh), this would result in an electric driving range of 446 km*. The average outside temperature was 11°C.

Consumption results - by road type

• on the non-urban trip (secondary roads) of 54.8 km, the trip computer records a consumption of 13,4 kWh/100 km. If you can maintain this consumption, this will get you 483 km* on a charge.
• during the 40.7 km motorway journey, consumption rises to 17,7 kWh/100 km. This results in an electric driving range of 366 km*.
• the 20.4km city ride traditionally delivers the best results. On this section, the iX2 scores with an average consumption of 12,3 kWh/100 km. This is good for an electric driving range of526 km*. On this ride, we used the MAX RANGE.

Driving range evolution

We start with a driving range of 278 km. During the first part of the test course (out-of-town drive), we are left with a driving range of 258 km. The motorway drive drops the driving range to 200 km. After the city drive, we are left with 209 km. On the latter, we gained 9 km of driving range. The total trip of 115.9 km cost us 69 km of driving range. Nice result.

*The stated driving range is a theoretical calculation based on the usable battery capacity. This is always a snapshot. All kinds of factors such as weather conditions, use of air conditioning, topography, traffic density and your own driving style can influence this.

We aim to drive as efficiently as possible by maximising the use of cruise control (constant speed) and anticipating traffic situations to the maximum. The speed on motorways is 110 km/h. Energy consumers (such as air conditioning) are switched off when weather conditions permit. Moreover, we choose the most efficient driving mode (Eco).

 Recharging information - general

The iX2 xDrive30 features an 11 kW internal on-board charger. 22 kW is an option. The maximum fast-charging capacity is 128 kW. The charging port is located at the right rear. 

Charges - four

We hooked up the iX2 xDrive30 to the charging station four times. Once AC (charging session 4) and three times DC. The chart below gives details of the charging sessions.

Driving range

The maximum charged driving range is 377 km and this at an SoC of 92%.

Preheating of the battery is possible.

It is possible to change the charging percentage. BMW recommends recharging the battery to 80%. This is to increase battery life.

Information charging process - for the driver

The following information is displayed:

• charging speed (in kW)
• charging percentage (SoC)
• charging time to full charge
• currently charged and driving range to full charge (according to set charging percentage)

Obviously, charging time depends on the SoC (State of Charge) at the start of charging, the outdoor temperature and the temperature of the battery.

Operating

The handling is typical BMW. Everything is easily accessible. You have a floating console in the middle where you can perform most of the operations like selecting the driving modes, Autohold, the Drive modes. Unfortunately, the well-known iDrive Controller has disappeared so most commands are done via the central screen. 

Seat position

The seating position good. Just a pity that its adjustment has to be done manually.

Space

Up front, you have plenty of room inside. At the back, things might get a little tighter. And we're not talking about legroom so much as headroom. And that has everything to do with the sloping roofline. The boot is modular. If you fold down the rear seats, you can still take quite a lot with you when you go out.

Curved Display

By now, the BMW Curved Display with Touch and Voice Control is no longer an unknown.

The BMW iX2 xDrive30 features a wide range of automatic driving and parking functions. Some are standard, others are included in packages. Standard equipment includes

• Cruise Control with braking function and collision warning, which also detects oncoming traffic when turning left (in right-hand drive countries) and also pedestrians or cyclists when turning right.
• Parking aid with reversing assistant
• Camera and reversing assistant

Options include steering assist and lane keeping assist, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Active Navigation, exit warning BMW Head-Up Display, Surround View, Remote 3D View BMW Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder

This simulation based on trip consumption and usable battery capacity gives you an idea of how far you can get on a charge. It goes without saying that the trip consumption figures are snapshots. In practice, consumption depends on many factors such as weather conditions, the speed driven, trip profiles, electric consumers and, of course, your driving style.

When comparing the achieved consumption results with the WLTP figures, we score decently. The realised consumption is below the WLTP figure. In terms of driving range, we score slightly lower. The figures given by BMW are quite achievable. Much will depend on the driving profiles.