Double Test: Brains or Brawn with new BMW X2 or Volvo XC40

Before we go any further, let me start with this one clear summarisation; you’re looking at two of the finest examples of downsizing. Cars that despite their shrunken mass, hold several decisive advantages over their clumsier counterparts. I could stop there, but that would leave loads of white space underneath these images so rather allow me to throw in a philosophical debate; autonomous accountability or driver thrills? Can you guess which is which? Essentially these cars represent, in spades, everything we’ve come to expect from these brands, or specifically the nuanced differences between their customers. Bear that in mind because it’s fundamental from the big things right down to the smallest of details.

A moment to consider that this is the first time a BMW X2 and Volvo XC40 have been locked in a road test. There is no predecessor to either but I don’t think a lengthy explanation of the position they occupy is going to come as great enlightenment. Although, it must be stated that BMW’s badging is a little clearer in its relation to its siblings – even numbers for the cool, coupe-like designs, a kinship to X4 and X6. Volvo’s XC stands for Cross Country and Forti (as the Scandinavians pronounce it) is the smallest body size.

Engines and drivetrains are homogenous and plain for both – no techno-firsts here – moving the battle to their respective takes on styling. Which is one of the reasons why we’re staring at a Galvanic Gold BMW with the standard M Sport kit and a Volvo in its sportiest R-Design garb. They look superb, but the Volvo’s disruptive profile to the air around it exudes the stronger road presence. You’re making a statement – which is a characteristic of all its models. The BMW has less top-heaviness to its styling, more wrap-around elements with a myriad shapes and incongruous surfaces that emphasise the Volvo’s blunt, icy-cool exterior. Gravitas versus agility.

I am loathed to talk about engines because they’re both diesel. That’s not going to win you any popularity contests nowadays and given that both companies are focussed on clever hybrids, a diesel engine is each model’s sorriest link to the past. Conventional engineering of two litres, spread across 4-cylinders yielding matching 140kW and 400Nm. Identical fuel and carbon emissions. But they don’t drive the same though – the clear winner by a country mile is the BMW. Marginally quicker, the X2’s auto is smoother, willing to pull the torque up from its boot straps. It’s the first to jump at an exciting piece of road whereas the Volvo languishes, its engine shrugs reluctantly then heaves with less refinement.

Volvo’s powertrains come across as merely an inconvenient apparatus, like a stopgap until we’re all driving around on 3-cylinders on full EVs – there’s simply scant influence from a jab of the throttle and no joy in revving to its fatigued redline. Probably wouldn’t complain if I wasn’t constantly hopping back into the BMW with its surprising amounts of alacrity, even in the default settings.

Easier to imagine a BMW X2 M40i as XXL hot hatch, not just because this possesses the handling panache to suit, but because ever since Polestar separated from Volvo to champion its own EV campaign, Volvo exists in its own vacuum. There’s no trickle-down effect of performance enhancement that brushes off on Volvo’s everyday products, leaving the Volvo XC40 feeling like it has been submerged in a bottle of antiseptic. At speed this one less layer of involvement, which partial autonomous systems engender, robs the driver of needle-threading, high-speed confidence.  Sensations are numbed. Opposite feedback in the up-for-it X2. It brings you in closer with a playfulness that makes it easy to exploit sedan-like smoothness and accuracy. A proper BMW piece of work.  Some of it has to do with the lower hip point in relation to the centre of gravity and the immediacy of the controls around you. But there’s a textured feel to everything in the X2 from the zest during an overtake to the way it turns in… it’s the driver’s car, as you’d expect.

The Volvo takes a swipe at the X2’s dynamic edge by suggesting that the future of the crossover lies in an ocean of Artificial Intelligence. Superb for going slowly, leaving the rapid and attractive stuff for media. Let it relax you as you sit in bubble-wrapped safety with time to enjoy the finer movements of the touchscreen, its greater delicacy compared to the X2’s meatiness with little flourishes of imagination. But our Volvo, with the practical black interior, is guilty of cutting costs in areas around your shins. Generally their ergonomics, although different  (touchscreen vs iDrive) function well, personal preference says I’m more comfortable operating iDrive through feel, not sight. Both feature wireless charging; BMW’s centre armrest cradles your phone securely while Volvo’s flatter, accessible location – great for being able to run apps like Google Maps – maintains good, but not 100 per cent contact.

Our X2, notwithstanding its higher optioned price, arrived without the box ticked that makes its existing cameras and sensors cooperate for autonomous drive. By contrast, the XC40’s suite of autonomous systems are overstimulated. Cautionary measures with a snatching of brakes and seatbelts to what the cameras and sensors perceive to be an unavoidable two-hundred kph impact in the shopping centre are, in reality, far more demure and not life threatening daily occurrences.

In the end, the verdict is conflicted. And although not a sexy conclusion, it comes down to price, then the reward for spending that extra money on the options. Our X2 is carrying R200 000 worth of extras – some of them superfluous. This Volvo XC40 feels as complete, if not more, at half that additional spend. The X2 is near perfect; in and out of corners it leaves the Volvo XC40 trailing, which by comparison refuses to let loose and indulge in naughty fun. But it’s entirely defenceless against the Volvo’s value for money, which to rub salt in the wounds, includes higher specification. Words and photography: Andrew Leopold

It’s another really solid effort from Volvo – the winner.

• XC40 SPECIFICATION
• 1969cc 4cyl turbo diesel, AWD, 140kW, 400Nm
• 5.0l/100km, 131g/km CO2
• 0–100km/h in 7.9secs, 210km/h
• 1698kg
• Verdict: The cool, cultured approach. Organised, serene and stylish.
• X2 SPECIFICATION
• 1995cc 4cyl turbo diesel, AWD, 140kW, 400Nm
• 5.0l/100km, 131g/km CO2
• 0–100km/h in 7.7secs, 221km/h
• 1675kg
• Verdict: Willing chassis capable of so much more. But pricing ruins its chances