It seems like everyone in the SUV world is trying to out-rugged one another. But over at BMW, they just keep doing what they do: Making stylish, high-performance sports activity vehicles, and even making them more attainable. This latest BMW X2 is proof of that.

At first glance, the 2024 BMW X2 Compact Sports Activity Coupe looks like the more dynamic platform-mate to the BMW X1. Afterall, the X1 utility is just so boring it needed the help. Weel, that’s not at all true, of course, but BMW is the brand that spearheaded the whole coupe-like SUV movement and continues to spread that theme throughout their lineup. So, hence this fast roof X2.

For its second generation, the X2 has gotten a lot bigger, a full 7.6-inches longer, which means it can now call the X1 its little brother. The roof slopes more drastically than before too, with even bigger changes in back, with the SUV-like liftgate and minimal back glass replaced with more glass set in a hatchback-style lid. Some might say the exaggerated fenders and sharp creases are a bit much, but we’re not among them. It looks great, especially with the optional M Sport Package’s 19-inch wheels, unique bumpers, and black trim.

Still, like many stylish small utilities, it is still a little hard to see out of. But that’s what cameras and a myriad of sensors are for. The X2 is clearly more upscale than before with xDrive all-wheel-drive now standard. So, no more front-wheel-drive X2s for now, though that never was a big deal to us, or to the owners of the new MINI Countryman who share this chassis.

BMW’s curved display is easily the highlight of the interior; operating with the ninth generation of iDrive technology, it blends the LED driver display into the central touchscreen. Front seats are both sporty and comfortable, and while many stylish sloped roof SUVs often sacrifice the utility part, rear seat space in the X2 is plentiful. With 25.3 cubic-feet of space, rear cargo capacity is barely less than the X1, and max capacity, at 51.7 cubic-feet, is actually more than the X1 due to the longer body.

This xDrive28i is the base offering, powered by a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4 with 295 lb-ft of torque. For an upgrade, that same engine gets cranked up to deliver 312 horsepower in the M35i; both get a seven-speed DCT. We stuck with the standard 2.0-liter for testing, dialed in Sport mode, and hit the track. And while it does feel very quick on the street, whether it was turbo lag or engine tuning, there just wasn’t a real sense of urgency off the line.

Once it got rolling though, power did pour on pretty effectively, getting us to 60 in 6.2 seconds, and then stayed very consistent down the track. There was even a nice little kick of additional oomph with every gear change. So clearly not the most invigorating BMW experience we’ve had recently, but the 14.9-second quarter-mile, finished at 96 mph, is plenty quick for an entry-level ute, and there’s always the M35i.

We’d also put handling in the “upscale” category. Even with the M Sport Adaptive suspension, softer tuning produced more body roll than expected. Steering was a bit too vague and light for our taste; without the tenacious grip we expected through our handling course. On the other hand, this X2 was very stable and safe, with a more substantial feel than before. In our panic braking test, the X2’s pedal was soft until the very end of travel when it firmed up quickly. But with an average stopping distance of a scant 96 feet, they clearly did their job.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the xDrive28i are 24 City, 33 Highway, and 28 Combined. We averaged a quite good 31.1 mpg of Premium. That rates slightly better than average for the Energy Impact Score, 10.6 barrels of annual oil use with 5.3 tons of CO2 emissions.

Pricing starts at $42,995, which is $1,500 more than a base X1. Then a healthy step up to the M35i which starts at $52,395.

While we did appreciate the original X2 for its more stylish take on the X1, there’s a lot more to love this time. The 2024 edition of the BMW X2 is more than just a better looking X1, it’s bigger and better all around. Now, one could argue if any brand really needs three coupe-like SUVs in their portfolio. But when you’ve got the formula for success like no one else, you might as well deploy it in as many ways as you can.

Last year, an all-new GMC Canyon arrived, taking the truck to new levels of capability and off-road performance with the debut of the AT4X. Well, something told us that story wouldn’t end there and, indeed, GMC has now teamed up with the folks at American Expedition Vehicles. So, let’s see if their dirty deeds lift the Canyon to the next level.

If you were to go by the looks of most pickup trucks and utilities in any given parking lot these days, you’d think that most everyone had to traverse some kind of barely possible trail, climb over giant boulders, and perhaps ford a few streams, just to get to the strip mall. Well, it’s doubtful that’s the case you ever did need to do such things. But, if you do, this mid-size 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X Crew Cab AEV Edition is the vehicle that can do it.

No trim packages here, the AEV additions that have been added to GMC’s most capable Canyon are quite comprehensive, enough to tack five-figures onto the AT4X’s price. They include chunky fender flares to overlap the unique 17-inch bead-lock-capable wheels, which are wearing 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler M/Ts. Next up are heavy-duty bumpers and a full-size spare placed in a vertical mount at the front of the 5-foot bed; while underneath, are ultra-high strength hot-stamped boron steel skid plates protecting the rear differential, radiator, steering gear, transmission, transfer case, and fuel tank. Finally, 1.5 inches of additional lift over the AT4X, sitting it 4.5 inches over a standard Canyon, delivering more than a foot of ground clearance.

It’s a cohesive package that also looks great, not over the top, but the same well-balanced approach we’ve seen from other partnerships between GM and American Expedition Vehicles.

So, mission accomplished in creating an extremely capable off-roader, as driving through our off-road course was more of a Sunday stroll for this truck, with the tires gripping obstacles at slow speeds and the suspension easily soaking them up at higher speeds. There are even available underbody cameras to let you monitor what you’re rolling over.

About the only area that didn’t get an upgrade is under the hood where you’ll still find the same 2.7-liter I4 turbo engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This Turbomax sounds a bit like a Duramax at startup, but quickly smooths out and runs strong enough to pull 6,000 lbs. of trailer. Though it didn’t seem to be in the mood to pull us much at all at our test track, where it just lumbered off the line with very little urgency to 60 in 8.5 seconds. Shifting in the eight-speed automatic transmission was a little lazy, too, with a noticeable drop off in power with each gear change, but it does pick up some steam as we worked our way down the track where it clocked a respectable 16.5 seconds to finish the quarter-mile at 85 mph. For a monster off-roader it felt very stable, tracking straight and true, with very little correction required on our part.

Clearly, it would have been happier driving over the cones of our handling course rather than between them, as body roll, weight transfer, and tire rollover were all quite noticeable. But it also never felt unstable or did anything unexpected. In braking runs, we could feel the initial lack of grip from the mud terrains, but the brakes themselves were strong and fade-free. Its 115-foot stop average from 60 we rate as quite good.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are down slightly from the AT4X, at 16 across the board for City, Highway, and Combined, though we averaged just 14.0 mpg of Regular. That’s a worse than average Energy Impact Score with use of 18.6 barrels of oil yearly and 9.3 tons of CO2 emissions.

Canyon pricing starts at $37,895, stepping up the ladder to the AT4X takes you to $55,895, and then adding the AEV Edition package brings your total starting price to $65,995.

Whether a mid-size truck is worth that amount of money depends on the amount of capability you need, or perhaps it’s more what look you’re going for. On both counts, the 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition is the most capable and toughest looking Canyon ever. One that is truly built to deliver.