When friends or acquaintances discover I’m test-driving a brand-new BMW, the first question they usually ask is, “Is it a good car?”

Truth be told, my response is always the same: ‘It’s a BMW, so of course it’s good!’ However, with car prices continuing to surge—thanks to our heavy-handed taxes—being simply ‘good’ may no longer be enough. In today’s market, a car needs to be more than good; it has to be exceptional to truly stand out. And that’s where the new BMW iX2 eDrive20 comes in, because (I’m sorry BMW!) for all intents and purposes, good might be as good as it gets. Let’s dive in.

Just as the iX1 is the electric twin to the X1, the new iX2 emerges as the fully electric contender in the X2 lineup. Visually, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the two apart, as both cars come in M Sport trim. Apart from the subtle blue-ringed badges, the most noticeable difference is the blanked-off kidney grille on the electric variant.

And that’s hardly a bad thing—among compact crossovers, the iX2 is a real head-turner. With its sleek, tapered roofline, 20-inch alloys and bespoke taillamps accentuated by bold, chunky shoulders and M Sport trimmings, this crossover has all the right lines in all the right places, making sure it stands out confidently from its X1/iX1 siblings. Even more so in our test car’s stunning Fire Red Metallic paintwork.

While the iX2’s tapered roofline might suggest otherwise, its larger dimensions—even slightly exceeding the X1/iX1 on which it’s based—allow for more generous rear seating and cargo space (up to 583 litres of storage if one includes the boot floor). A marked improvement from its predecessor.

The good impressions continue throughout the cabin, with Veganza leather impressively elevating the interior feel. It looks and feels surprisingly upscale for a “vegan” synthetic material, all while offering better durability in our ever-sunny climate. While the sport seats might feel a tad narrow for some, they do an excellent job of looking sharp and keeping you securely in place during those more spirited drives.

Straight ahead of the driver sits a wonderfully squishy M Leather sports steering wheel, paired with a Curved Display that features a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen running BMW OS 9. Notably, the iX2, much like its more utilitarian sibling, lacks a directional control knob, meaning all inputs and commands must be accessed via the touchscreen. While this is something that I’m sure owners will no doubt get used to, there are still several user experience pain points that need to be addressed.

Issues like small icons paired with equally minuscule descriptive texts, along with overly small touch targets, can make navigating the system frustrating—sometimes even unsafe while on the move. Despite its visual appeal, the interface could benefit from more focus on usability, especially when driving?. Ensuring that essential functions are easily accessible will not only enhance the overall experience but also align with BMW’s long-time commitment to driver-centric design.

And I say “driver-centric” because this is a BMW, after all. As with all BMWs, driver engagement is a critical aspect of its character. Similar to the iX1 eDrive20 available in Singapore, our iX2 eDrive20 has been detuned to deliver a modest 148 horsepower to comply with our Category A COE requirements—a significant drop from the robust 204 electrified horses that power the model in overseas markets.

That detuned output means that while the iX2 maintains its exciting styling, the performance numbers reflect a much more restrained approach to power delivery. This restraint is felt more profoundly on the road, as the iX2 delivers an unexpectedly sedate driving experience that doesn’t quite fulfill its sporty aesthetics and ambitions.

That’s not to say the iX2 isn’t a capable machine—quite the opposite. It’s objectively a fantastic all-rounder, with sharp, direct turn-in, adequately punchy torque and quick response that feels reassuringly planted in the corners. While the ride might feel overly taut at times, the iX2’s stiff chassis pairs well with the adaptive M suspension setup, effectively dampening and smoothing out most road imperfections. Providing an ideal balance for a sporty crossover that prioritizes driving dynamics without sacrificing on comfort.

Subjectively, though, the iX2 falters in delivering true driving joy. Its smooth, silent electric drivetrain and absence of iconic BMW sounds create a driving experience that—even on more spirited drives—can feel strangely isolating. The iX2’s electric setup offers little in terms of auditory feedback, and when paired with its equally muted steering feedback, it can be challenging to feel fully connected to the car on an emotional level. While this quiet efficiency fits the iX1’s practical, utility-focused nature, it feels a bit misplaced in the iX2, whose sportier image and charged-up design suggest a more engaging, sensory experience.

This detachment might risk undercutting the iX2’s appeal as a driver-centric machine, especially when its electric powertrain doesn’t bring much to the performance table against its petrol-powered sDrive16i counterpart that sprints to the century mark with equal vigour while delivering a slightly fizzier experience with its internal combustion engine rising through its rev range for an added layer of driver engagement.

In the end, the BMW iX2 eDrive20 does indeed live up to being ‘good’—and for the Singapore market, that’s not exactly a slight. With its sleek styling, thoughtful cabin materials, great build quality and eco-conscious electric setup, the iX2 fits seamlessly into BMW’s evolving lineup, offering an enjoyable everyday drive with all the premium touches you’d expect from the marque.

But at S$287,888, the iX2’s refined, toned-down performance and sensory detachment push it squarely into niche territory—appealing to a select few who value its visual appeal and electric versatility enough to invest the extra S$20,000. So while the iX2 doesn’t fully capture the driver-focused thrill implied by its sporty design, it remains a solid choice for those seeking an upscale, forward-thinking crossover that feels fitting for Singapore’s COE landscape. In that sense, the iX2’s ‘good’ may indeed be enough to make it great for buyers prioritizing style and sustainability over pure performance.

For everyone else, stay tuned.