BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series is a bit of an anachronism. It's a small, relatively lightweight and highly entertaining two-door luxury car. Available as both a coupe and convertible, the 2 Series feels like a bit of a throwback for BMW, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's nimble and athletic in a way that few cars today are. It's fun to drive thanks to a pair of turbocharged engines and a suspension that's sporty but not uncomfortable. The fact that you can still get it with a manual transmission is even more of a bonus. The interior is handsome, even if the design is starting to feel a bit dated. This car did make its debut back in 2014, though we expect a new model to roll out soon.

There are few competitors in this class, and most rivals to the 2 Series are four-door sedans. Those include the Audi A3, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA as well as the four-door BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (a wholly different vehicle that's reviewed separately). The few coupes and convertibles at this price point are more traditional sports cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Those cars are larger and more powerful, but they're not nearly as well appointed as the BMW.

While it may not share the same name, the 2 Series feels like a spiritual successor to older, smaller BMW 3 Series models. And on-paper figures and stats don't tell the whole story with this car. The current 2 Series coupe and convertible might be nearing the end of their lives, but we still think they're charming and entertaining machines.

Which 2 Series does MatoCar recommend?

While we love the buttery smooth engine in the M240i, we think most people will be more than satisfied with the base 230i trim. It's still plenty quick and is available with most of the M240i's features.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series is available as both a coupe and convertible in two trim levels: 230i and 240i. The 230i is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four (248 horsepower, 258 lb-ft), while the M240i gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (335 hp, 368 lb-ft). Rear-wheel drive is standard, and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available as an option. An eight-speed automatic is standard on all models. A manual transmission is available as a no-cost option on rear-wheel-drive 230i and M240i coupes and the M240i convertible.

230i Standard equipment is the same for both the coupe and convertible styles. Features include:

17-inch wheels
LED headlights and foglights
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Power-adjustable front seats
Keyless ignition
Apple CarPlay
Automatic climate control
Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Every 2 Series also comes with:

Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Low-speed automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

Options on the 230i include:

Convenience package

Keyless entry
Auto-dimming mirrors
Adjustable lumbar
Ambient lighting
Moonroof

M Sport package

Convenience package features
18-inch wheels
Aluminum interior trim with blue accents
M Sport suspension
M Sport steering wheel
Sportier exterior trim

Premium package

Heated steering wheel
Navigation
Universal garage opener

Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Wireless charging pad
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front)
Harman Kardon audio system