IF style and badge are all important on the booming SUV scene then BMW is on to a winner with its new X2.

Extrovert looks, coupe lines and some subtle changes in the Bavarian car maker's design culture make this newcomer a crossover with a difference.

Pitching into the same market as Jaguar's new E-PACE, the X2 is based on BMW's front-wheel-drive platform which also underpins the company's 2 Series Active Tourer MPV and the X1 baby SUV. BMW also uses the same platform on the MINI Countryman.

The difference with the X2 is that it has been engineered for sporty driving - and comes with suspension to match.

Firm, precise and agile the X2 feels very well planted but its sporty prowess comes at a premium.

The X2 in all-wheel-drive xDrive set up and powered by a 2.0-litre diesel is priced from £33,980 and in higher grade M Sport trim as we sampled starts from £36,590.

Add on some extras such as a high-end Harman Kardon sound system, a ‘vision pack' that included a head-up display and a snazzy leather interior and it tipped the scales at £44,185.

For a medium-sized SUV that's top dollar in anyone's book but the X2 is built to impress.

The 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine develops 190bhp with a healthy 400Nm of torque giving the X2 a 0 to 60 time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 137mph.

Fuel economy is a claimed 61.4mpg with emissions of 121g/km.

On our drive we saw and average of 42.3mpg - quite respectable for a 4x4 with automatic transmission.

At 14ft 4ins the X2 is almost an inch shorter than the X1 but more significantly is some three inches lower but with the same wheelbase.

Factor in some clever styling such as slim windows, a flowing roofline with BMW's hallmark Hofmeister kink pushed back into the rear pillar and the result is a compelling blend of 4x4 and coupe.

There's also some width inducing tricks such as making the famous BMW kidney grille wider at the bottom than at the top, pronounced side skirts and a rear spoiler all of which create a ground-hugging look.

LED lights front and rear, twin exhausts and a number plate mounted in the bumper and breaks from the norm and so is the BMW roundel mounted on the back pillar.

Sporty yet muscular the X2 looks the part but retains five doors, a good amount of rear legroom and boot space ranging from a useful 470 litres to a maximum of 1,355 with the rear seats down.

On the inside it is fully connected, Apple compatible and comes with a touchscreen nav system that's right up to date.

There's also a rather classy looking black optic instrument panel and BMW's iDrive controller as an alternative way of navigating through the menus.

At the moment the 20d is the only engine available in the X2 but later in the year the line up will be expanded include a 2.0-litre petrol front wheel drive models as well as slightly lower powered 18d models in both configurations.

Those will be priced from £29,995 - much more on the money - and makes the X2 a double delight in the premium SUV market.