1st BMW X2

Sporty crossover serves up more space and driver appeal, and takes victory in this shootout

THERE’S a big difference between this X2 20i and its Volkswagen rival. While the T-roc is four-wheel drive only, the BMW sends its power to just the front wheels – there’s no xdrive petrol version yet. This highlights the fact that the X2 is based on the company’s UKL2 platform that it also shares with MINI.

It’s a familiar platform so is similar to the T-roc here, while there are more matching points when it comes to the engine. The X2 uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 189bhp and 280Nm of torque – 2bhp up on the T-roc but 40Nm down.

This had an effect against the stopwatch, because the BMW couldn’t match the VW’S 0-60mph time, taking 0.9 seconds longer, at 7.1 seconds in total. This lack of torque also had an impact on its in-gear flexibility, even though the BMW weighed 35kg less. The biggest disparity was between 50 and 70mph in top gear (seventh), where the X2 trailed the T-roc by 2.1 seconds, taking 11.9 seconds overall.

However, the 20i engine revs with a nice rasp, even if it’s not quite as energetic as the T-roc’s unit. The box is just as good, though. It’s a seven-speed dual-clutch that shifts snappily in Sport mode and with a nice slur when cruising.

The transmission helps the level of involvement because it’s nicely responsive. While it doesn’t match the T-roc’s straightline potency, the X2 actually feels the sportier car here, thanks to the way it handles.

The steering is weightier, but just as responsive, and these attributes combine to inspire more confidence in the car. It’s helped by a chassis set-up that rolls less and controls the body more rigidly, so there’s a surprising level of grip and agility to tap into in the X2.

Still, it does bring a trade-off, because it’s also not quite as comfortable as the T-roc. Our car’s larger 19-inch alloys thumped into potholes more than the T-roc’s, even though the X2 was also fitted with adaptive suspension dampers, which is only £150 on M Sport trim – we’d run these in the Comfort setting because it’s even slightly firmer again in Sport.

This is the one major drawback, because in other respects the X2 has the edge here. Yes, it costs more, but the cabin has a higher-quality feel, with softer materials and just as much tech. You get nav, climate and cruise control, those wheels, parking sensors, LED lights, heated sports seats (leather is £800) and good safety kit.