In-depth reviews

BMW X2 SUV - Reliability & safety

Quality isn't in doubt, but the amount standard safety kit on the BMW X2 seems mean

Carbuyer Rating

3.6 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

3.5 out of 5

BMW has long had an enviable reputation for quality and driver reward, giving it one of the strongest images in the market. This helps BMW cars to remain desirable, despite their increasing prevalence on Britain's roads. It's good news when you come to sell, too – used BMWs are always in strong demand.

BMW X2 reliability

Premium car buyers are a demanding bunch, and this is reflected by the fact that few premium marques scored highly in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction results. BMW finished 16th out of 29 manufacturers, a notable increase over 2021’s 21st place finish, and putting BMW above Mercedes and Audi. High servicing costs and higher than average faults were largely to blame for the less than impressive results.

BMW owners are particularly impressed by the gearboxes fitted in their cars, and infotainment and technology are well regarded by owners too. However, owners told us their BMWs could be more reliable and are quite costly to run and maintain.

BMW owners are particularly impressed by the engines of their cars, thanks to the strong acceleration they serve up. Infotainment and technology are well regarded by owners, too.

In our rundown of the top 75 cars on sale, the X2 didn’t feature but its X1 sister did. Unfortunately the news isn’t great here either; the X1 came 74th and didn’t receive glowing feedback in any area.

Safety

Although the X2 was launched several years after the BMW X1 was crash-tested in 2015, independent experts Euro NCAP have awarded both cars an impressive five-star crash safety rating. The X1 scored an excellent 90% for adult occupant protection and 87% for how it looks after children in a crash. Safety assistance systems were rated at 77%, while pedestrian protection was given a 74% rating. The test has become stricter since 2015, though, so the X1 and X2 can’t easily be compared with rivals that have been tested more recently.

Although the X2 has a number of features that help it to lessen the severity of a crash, including brakes that can prepare themselves for application if an impact is sensed, full autonomous emergency braking is only included as part of a driver assistance pack, which also includes lane-departure warning, auto-dipping headlights and speed-limit warnings.

An upgraded package also includes active cruise control and traffic-jam assistance. This can look after acceleration, braking and steering in heavy traffic at speeds of up to 37mph, and works on the condition that you keep your hands on the wheel.

Recommended

BMW reveals drastically different X2 SUV
BMW X2
News
10 Oct 2023

BMW reveals drastically different X2 SUV

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability
Tesla Cybertruck side view
News
1 Dec 2023

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023