BMW's sleek "SAC" combines best of two segments

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace.

Sacramento, California -- Nothing more embarrassing for the automotive journalist than taking delivery of a motor vehicle ... and not knowing exactly what it is.

Take the recently tested 2024 BMW X2 xDrive28i, for example. To my eye, it looked a lot like a sedan. No, wait, it's a sport-utility vehicle, right?

BMW weighs in by calling the X2 a Sports Activity Coupe (SAC), which blows the minds of folks who like precise vehicle definitions.

Fortunately, I'm not quite that obsessed. For 2024, BMW built this compact crossover sport-ute with diverse customer needs in mind.  And it all works, for $52,745 on the tested vehicle.

I liked the looks of the X2 xDrive28i from the beginning.  Sleek and, yes, sedan-like.  The double-panel BMW grille is not overstated, and the back end has enough sculpted chop to make it a sporty number. The long hood and roof lines make the vehicle appear bigger than reality.

BMW throws technology fastballs at an intimidating pace, and I did have to consult the owner's manual on some of the featured safety/security/comfort/convenience items.  But once mastered, I found all of the tech perks helpful.

Perhaps most significant among everything in the vehicle: the 2024 X2 is nearly eight inches longer than its predecessor, which translates to more interior comfort for five human beings.

Performance was enjoyable, courtesy of a twin-power turbo-4 engine making 241 horsepower between 4,500 and 6,500 revolutions per minute. The X2 makes the zero-to-60-mph trip in just 6.2 seconds.

Fuel mileage is pretty fair at 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

For my money, this BMW appeals to a wide-ranging audience: luxury lovers, performance people, sedan devotees and SUV fans who like just a little cargo-carrying room. I'm guessing all will feel at home in this driving machine.