BMW X2 M35i Is A Performer For All Seasons (And All Reasons)

Driving enthusiasts don’t have to choose between practicality and performance. The 2019 BMW X2 M35i can handle both curves and cargo with ease. M Performance cars add a level of driving capability that makes them perfect for everyday fun. And as Tom Voelk finds out, all-wheel drive that can route all torque to the back tires is perfect in sloppy conditions.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos. Watch a few and you'll subscribe.

[@jimp5024]

Simple as this, drive it. I did, and bought it. Excellent review, taught me more about my machine. Every reviewer starts out skeptical and ends up smiling.

[@Ezero8]

I really want one of these. I love the design. It's the perfect size and power for a crossover/hot hatch. That interior color looks amazing btw.

[@F16spec]

I know your comment is old. I picked up 2019 X2 M35i yesterday with less than 14,000 miles (just broken in), they are very fun car. Easy to drive around traffic but brakes are touchy due how big they are.

[@DoctorChange106]

excellent review Tom and keep it up.

[@joruffin20]

I have one and since I ride alone it’s fantastic. With passengers it’s still great. The motor can be disrespectful to unsuspecting hot. Hatches. The seats won me over!

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Great review Tom and terrific production as usual. I'm the dead center target for the x2 but after several bad experiences with modern BMWs and their dealers, I've moved on. There are so many good choices available!

[@martinh4509]

Nice review as always! At first I didn't like these new front-wheel-drive BMWs but after sitting in them and driving them I would not hesitate to get one over a similar Audi or Mercedes.

[@buickboy92]

BMW X2 is one of my favorite BMWs. Excellent review Tom! 👍

[@LuisGonzalez-sb9lx]

buickboy92 it’s gonna break sooner than later

[@soundseeker63]

Its not even a proper BMW its based on the Mini platform. Proper BMWs are the 3-Series and above.

[@stephenhendricks103]

We all remember the adventure in the GTI, Tom. And I love that road east of Seattle. Striking interior but there's a question of whether to wear sunglasses even in the Pacific Northwest's rainy season.

[@ShermanMR2]

More people need to subscribe to this guy. He’s one of the best and most entertaining car reviewers!!!

[@BTMason77]

Great video, thank you -- this was really helpful. Just ordered a 2022.

[@martinkleinman2522]

It really looks sharp, and that exhaust note is a symphony. Very nice. Xmas is around the corner -- I'll accept a press fleet loaner, any color. Just sayin'.

[@davidstoler7567]

Compelling. Nice one. The orange grew on me as well. Like Lichen.

[@alexmobil7463]

Twin scroll turbo engine with all the amenities, no device with out electronically control, Adjustable shocks and all kind of mechanical sophistication right on no fuss no muss and all these for about 50 grand. Any ideas what is going to be the cost of the smallest failure!? Do not matter actually...no pain no gain! Always a pleasure sticking to your videos till to the very end!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

What you describe is a third of the cars on the road these days. Electronics rule these days and will so even more in the future.

[@mickyeverton]

Really happy with mine! Many Thanks, Peace From London. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@asjadali7426]

You commented on every review. Same comment. Must be extremely bored 😐

[@trayonelove]

Great review🔥

[@NahuelPadilla1988]

Nice rev! Cheers from Argentina

[@joelyelcanio]

Eres un tipo simpático. Me subscribí a tu canal. 😊

[@chriskarras411]

I love this car!!!

[@Arinis.ltd.]

I prefer this 'older' refreshed interior over the new ones, my only issue with it is that the center console is very low it feels you are driving a truck

[@SupercarsinGreece]

Awesome interior!

[@jazzjokesjalopies]

Love the look, scale, and soundtrack. Wonder whether the low-profile tires are required? Prefer a better ride, while keeping the power over 300HP. Luxury off the line, as it were. .

[@keithjackson4985]

I really like BMW interiors. Very nicely done. Is there 4 wheel drive system any good though? I watched a few videos where it's faced off against Audis Quattro, and Acuras SH all-wheel drive. And it didn't seem that impressive?

[@patricianofal6182]

Love this car! Does it perform well in severe ice and heavy snow loads? Are snow tires good for this car? I live in the Upper Penn of Mi and we usually have upwards of 250" of snow/winter. Difficult conditions Dec thru April

[@cmair77]

🤣🤣🤣 love the intro

[@ahmedsyed3436]

2:34 Thank you for mentioning weight of the vehicle (3700 lbs / 1678 kg )

[@nukesaway4806]

Recommended

[@stevewise1656]

The weather out here in Seattle has been great the last two weeks, so you just misses it.:)

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Tell me about it

[@davids1816]

I can't help thinking this drivetrain in the Mini Clubman JCW would be even more fun and about 10,000 less expensive. It looks entirely better than the base model does though. But this would also buy a loaded up Explorer ST.

[@grahambarnes7325]

Tom you always say 'Click subscribe & notifications' but in Chrome on a MAC they're not 'up' to the left 'they're 'down, to the right'. I think- just don't point & we're all included! Enjoy your videos, your sense of humor & wish the NYT would jump on board again.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Weird. I specifically place the button where I'm pointing. Good to know, I don't use Chrome. Thanks!

[@eloneatmyshorts]

I like it! But I dunno I would choose $55K over the $46K Acura RDX A-spec.

[@jcguy6608]

Nice car to have, as long as it's under warranty

[@anthonymitchell9337]

You are so right. Once the warranty is over, get rid of it.

[@jody024]

Will break 1 week after it expires.

[@cazbantu4233]

JC guy trade it in right before warranty run out, that’s one headache we don’t need

[@LuisGonzalez-sb9lx]

Same shit as VW.

[@tonyvargas368]

Luis González all four of my VW cars broke down repeatedly under warranty. Ironically enough, my now 7 year old BMW has been relatively trouble free.

[@TalismanPHX]

Wow, that interior is LOUD.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Probably more a rain and mic issue. It's not LOUD.

[@TalismanPHX]

The Orange, not the noise level Tom! 😉

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@TalismanPHX Ah, yes. It is.

[@ZoneCrasher]

I like the X2, but the X1 is simply perfect. Just wish they could put the same engine in the X1.

[@fabiogarcia7615]

X2 design is more sportive...

[@CrazyWeeMonkey]

@@fabiogarcia7615 The X1 has a more usable interior because it doesn't have the sharply-sloped roof

[@khunopie9159]

When your Bavarian Mötor Werks mötor stops werking, what do you call it?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Same as any car that isn't working, a tow truck.

[@rabit818]

. At the rate SUV’s are coming up with “coupe” models with lower roof lines, sports sedans will be here soon

[@swatisquantum]

rabit818 true 😭 Also, I remember when Europeans loved their station wagons and US automakers couldn’t sell them in the US. These SUV’s are becoming sporty station wagons/hatchbacks.

[@vocaloid12776]

If you want this car, you should get the new mini JCW clubman. It has the same 300hp engine but less weight, cheaper price and better dynamics!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Maybe but some don't like the MINI design, or the Clubman's dutch doors. Not sure the drivetrain is exactly the same, something to look up.

[@davidkaminski615]

It's a lease-special fashion accessory. The euro-chic will love these.

[@garyhuntsr71698]

Thanks for all the details and passions.. but I just couldn't help but feel like ...being reborn into a housewife.

[@marcob1729]

No heated seats at all? Pretty crazy you can option past $55k and not get them

[@MikeGrattan]

I just checked the configurator on BMW's website and heated seats can be ordered as part of the Premium package OR ordered as an individual option. I think he was referring to heated seats in the rear passenger area and those don't appear to be available.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Heated seats not available in the back seat. Fronts are part of a package (though might be standard in Canada).

[@dademack3544]

Heated seats abdeering wheel

[@dademack3544]

Steering

[@rhilde3949]

oh wow, they've put a 2.0 4 banger and still called it a 35i

[@ChristianC-gy1ym]

I doubt the nomenclature has any significance to displacement or # of cylinders. My X3 M40i is a 3 liter straight 6 I think it's just a name

[@justinclark5078]

@@ChristianC-gy1ym yes but now the nomenclature doesn't align across models i.e. all 4 cyl turbo cars being "30" and inline six turbo cars being "40" (at least here in the USA). Very strange they would stick with the old nomenclature they seemed to have retired a couple years ago.

[@soundseeker63]

@@justinclark5078 They are all at it nowadays. Look at Mercedes, the A180 is a 1.3, A45 is a 2.0, The C43 is a 3.0, S450 is a 3.0, E63 is a 4.0.... and lets not even go into the completely nonsensical system Audi has adopted! It is used simply as a numerical model hierarchy rather than any direct indication of whats under the bonnet.

[@arainla]

Agree!!!

[@thebimmercrew]

Justin Clark I think that it differs depending on the platform. The X1, X2, and 2 series Gran Coupe are all based on the UKL platform (which is front wheel drive biased) and the rest of the line up is based on the CLAR platform which is rear wheel drive biased. All UKL platform cars utilize the old nomenclature, 28i and M35i for M performance models. While CLAR cars utilize the new nomenclature, 30i for four cylinder 40i for six and so on. Hope this helps!

[@cop2506]

I hate the center console. It needs to be mounted higher

[@rdm925]

i love the design. But, for less money I'll keep my 2019 CX-5 Signature.

[@listennowbreath]

Smart move

[@shellilyon8934]

I’m torn between the cx5 and the x2 myself. I see you’re still lusting after the x2... is the cx5 as much fun to drive? I’m having my midlife crisis 😬

[@rdm925]

@@shellilyon8934 , Although I like the C2 design. The reliability and value for the money makes it the winner for me. I'm very happy with my 2019 CX-5 Signature and it's been very reliable for over 30,000 miles.

[@rdm925]

@@shellilyon8934 , it's also fun to drive.

[@shellilyon8934]

rod miranne thank you! When the 2021 cx5 hits the dealers I’ll try driving them both. The cx5 hits all the marks and is in my budget.

[@BenelliMr]

of course, this car is fully connected, Apple car play, BMW connect, and millions of other gadgets, except the clock. It is daylight savings time: I have to call my son, who tried hard for one hour in order to find out how to change the clock :( Also when you drive in a different time zone, we have to stop at the next parking and change the clock This in 2020 :(

[@CLMDADE]

Nice car, but for the money I would take a explorer st...I could afford the maintenance on it...

[@gs98999]

Isn’t maintenance included for free on all new bmws for 4 years?

[@listennowbreath]

CLMDADE you will need it on Ford cars. Check out Lexus if you want to give a safe cat to your grandchild to drive. 😂. Sad but so very true

[@aaronchase38]

Wish the tires were at least 235s. .225 looks to skinny.

[@zehn916]

Oh, Come on! Include that with the price of the car. Annual charge?!?!

[@house9850]

8:31 Nov 2019 pre-covid Toilet Paper prophesy. TP Nostradamus

[@mji9208]

Why would I get this over the M340i ?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Useful hatch design, more compact size for city driving, $10K less for AWD model. The 3 has that inline 6 though...

[@GLA45Amg716]

It not having blind spot monitor scares me. Wtf

[@rjtheultimateputa]

That's a lot of BMW badges. Maybe they made too much?

[@acalinga]

Nice JCW Mini

[@supercooled]

This thing sounds like it doesn't have a muffler.

[@craighermle7727]

Nice except fo IDRIVE6 instead of Idrive7 and it can't be upgrraded. OTA updates aren't available for the x1 or x2l The x1 and x2 have the worst blind spots that I've driven in the last 50 years. No blindstop detection? Really? The autonomous driving feature is truely a joke. It's slow and unpredictable. You have a bike and want to put a receiver hitch on it? Forget it. BMW doesn't offer one and none are available aftermarket

[@arainla]

I wouldn’t buy it just for the lack of included CarPlay. I can see paying 200-300 ONCE. I will stick with Audi.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

If you pay $300 you get a lifetime subscription. So maybe not stick with Audi now? Is that the dealbreaker?

[@arainla]

Driven Car Reviews I thought the lifetime was closer to $1000. It’s just such a counterproductive way for BMW to go. I’m a wagon lover so this car seems like a higher wagon of sorts. Give me the inline 6 turbo and rear wheel drive and I’d probably forget about the CarPlay ordeal.

[@directreply350]

3700 lbs !?!?!?

[@acemacgruber6593]

Is your twin brother 5'9" also?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yup

[@tonywellington7854]

what the hell has happened to the once great BMW ?

[@arainla]

Long gone! After 20 years as a BMW car club member, I just let my membership lapse. This car isn’t even rear wheel drive! It’s a MINI Clubman with a BMW badge and different body.

[@tonywellington7854]

@@arainla the last great "TRUE" bmw models were the: bmw e39 / bmw e46 / bmw e38

[@Delvy787]

Thumbs up for the quality review, not the car.

[@yass123]

Remember when BMW made fun of FWD vehicles?

[@ChristianC-gy1ym]

X2 M35i is awd

[@ismaeldah6512]

웅이 only when the car detects slip in one of the front wheels I think

[@damiano8738]

imagine having to look at this everyday

[@davidestrada7337]

i rather not

[@fahhad17]

I wonder if he pay his camera man.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I am my camera man

[@gogutzy]

It's actually good for 16 seasons, after that it's garbage.

[@mlee6136]

Lot of money for this car, it is intriguing. However bmw quality has been going down over the years.

[@tuanas458]

bullchit it has

[@mlee6136]

The brand and marketing has worked wonders on you. Do some research...

[@tuanas458]

@@mlee6136 I have done my research. In fact, I pretty much know how cars are made.

[@jody024]

So... BMW builds Alfa Romeo's now ?

[@DoctorSkillz]

For that money, I'd rather buy a dilapidated house in the seedy part of downtown Baltimore.

[@ZoneCrasher]

Why Baltimore, you could have gotten the $1 house in Detroit.

[@shaunjones3036]

Would never buy this. Lousy visibility & probably won’t be around too long due to a bloated lineup.

[@aliozanerbektas]

I would buy a Tesla instead. When will German car makers learn?!

[@dennispolyblank8428]

You can't adjust the front seatbelts for height and classy people use Android Auto. I give it a minus 1000!

[@ascott2168]

This one is strictly for the 4X5 family. Four family members, all five feet tall....and get an interior color that's anything but black ! Yuck !

[@DrivenCarReviews]

At 5'9" I had no issues.

[@ascott2168]

@@DrivenCarReviews would another 5'9 human fit behind you comfortably ?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@ascott2168 Evil Twin is 5'9". Depends on torso length.

[@amigatommy7]

Wolds ugliest interior

[@paulm6481]

Just a front wheel drive station wagon. Everything a BMW should not be. Because underneath it is a mini. But hey it has red interior. So this Johnny come lately reviewer likes it. Sad just sad.

[@darexdarex]

Paul M And what's wrong with a MINI? They are the best front-drivers on the market. Get over yourself.