Curious to know whether this front-wheel-drive (sDrive) X2 has any sort of performance advantage over its all-wheel-drive (xDrive) counterpart, I asked our test team to run it through our test track routine and analyze the differences against previously tested X2s. Sure enough, our data shows that the X2 sDrive28i can get to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, a tenth quicker than the all-wheel-drive version; however, per test driver Chris Walton, getting that extra tenth is challenging. First, turn off ESC and toggle into Sport mode. Then, proceed by a just-right whack of the throttle so that the X2 activates its quick-shift mode. The quick-shift mode acts as a sort of lite launch program; it corresponds to how quickly the throttle is pushed and how quickly the revs spin above 2,000 rpm. Lastly, Walton says it’s essential to find the sweet spot in which wheelspin is minimized. Done right, the sDrive will win the hole shot against an xDrive.
Hustling the sDrive through the figure eight also proved more challenging without all-wheel drive. Per test driver Kim Reynolds, the sDrive requires more driver focus to manage the front end’s grip to avoid understeer. After trying various techniques, Reynolds was able to best minimize the understeer by trail braking through the turns. He noted that the sDrive does not tackle the figure eight with the nimbleness or balance of the xDrive. To paraphrase his notes, the xDrive turns in crisply and ever so slightly steps its tail out, whereas the sDrive doesn’t turn in as nimbly and mostly wants to understeer. That being said, Reynolds noted that understeer is still present with the xDrive, though it’s mostly limited to the middle of the corner. With both vehicles wearing 19 inch Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires, the xDrive did the figure eight in 25.9 seconds, whereas the sDrive only managed 26.7. For reference, an all-wheel-drive Mini Countryman does it in 27.2.
It’s worth noting that curb weight difference between the two vehicles is 214 pounds, and though the weight distribution from front to back is more balanced in the xDrive, fuel economy suffers by 2 miles per gallon.
Read more about our long-term 2018 BMW X2:
- Arrival
- Update 1: Fair Trade
| 2018 BMW X2 sDrive28i | 2019 Chevrolet Impala V6 LT | |
| BASE PRICE | $37,395 | $39,395 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $44,920 | $50,920 |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV | Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV |
| ENGINE | 2.0L/228-hp/258-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 | 2.0L/228-hp/258-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| TRANSMISSION | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 3,450 lb (59/41%) | 3,664 lb (57/43%) |
| WHEELBASE | 105.1 in | 105.1 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 172.2 x 71.8 x 60.1 in | 172.2 x 71.8 x 60.1 in |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.4 sec | 6.5 sec |
| QUARTER MILE | 15.0 sec @ 93.2 mph | 15.0 sec @ 92.1 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 121 ft | 109 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.87 g (avg) | 0.94 g (avg) |
| MT FIGURE EIGHT | 26.7 sec @ 0.66 g (avg) | 25.9 sec @ 0.68 g (avg) |
| REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB | 27.5/36.7/31.0 mpg | 00.0/00.0/0.00 mpg |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON | 23/32/26 mpg | 21/31/25 mpg |
| ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY | 147/105 kW-hrs/100 miles | 160/109 kW-hrs/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB | 0.74 lb/mile | 0.79 lb/mile |
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