BMW 2 Series Coupe Review

Introduction

The BMW 2 Series range is enormously confusing, but if you’re ready, here’s a quick run down. Let’s start with the dull-but-worthy stuff: the MPVs. There’s a 2 Series Active Tourer, which is a bit like an overgrown 1 Series hatchback, in that it’s a five-door family car with lots of space and a modern cabin. We’re also expecting that to spawn a seven-seat Gran Tourer (no, we don’t know what happened to the ‘D’, either) version.

At the opposite end of the scale is the 2 Series Gran Coupe (again with the missing D), which is a kind of coupe version of the 1 Series, except it comes with four doors so it’s actually a kind of fastback. Then there’s this – the 2 Series Coupe – which is a two-door coupe that’s about the same size as the Gran Coupe but is otherwise completely unrelated. Hope that clears everything up.

Anyway, this 2 Series is the sporty number, the one you’d choose if you don’t have children or responsibilities. It doesn’t have much in the way of natural rivals, but it’s vying for your affection alongside the Porsche 718 Cayman, the Audi TT and the Alpine A110, all of which are much sportier to look at. But could the unassuming BMW be the one that makes them all look a bit silly?

At a Glance

The new 2 Series looks very different to the other cars in the 2 Series range, mixing the classic long nose of a coupe with the squared-off rear end of a saloon car. It’s muscular, particularly in range-topping M240i form, but it has an air of luxury and sophistication, too.

That carries on inside, where the 2 Series Coupe’s close relationship with the 3 Series is laid bare. The two cars share interiors, with the 2 Series gaining the same digital instrument display and infotainment screens, as well as the same dashboard architecture.

From the driving seat, therefore, it feels like a lighter, more agile 3 Series with a little less room in the back.

As is so often the case with BMW, the 2 Series Coupe comes with an impressive selection of engines. At present, there are the 220i and 230i models, both of which come with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and a 220d with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, but there’s also an awesome 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine fitted to the M240i. 

We’re also expecting an even more powerful M2 model to arrive in 2023, probably with an even more potent version of the M240i’s 3.0-litre motor.

Key Features

The most impressive aspect of the 2 Series Coupe has to be the way it drives. Few cars of any size or shape can change direction with the alacrity of the BMW, and even fewer can do so while carrying big, comfy leather seats and heavy satellite navigation systems. 

The balance and poise of the 2 Series is seriously impressive, and only the likes of Porsche can really match that without sacrificing luxury and equipment.

And therein lies the second-best thing about the 2 Series Coupe. This is a luxury two-door car that’s filled with all the same technology, quality and equipment as a larger 3 Series executive saloon, right down to the digital instrument cluster and widescreen infotainment system. Compared with the 2 Series Gran Coupe, which shares more with the smaller 1 Series, the Coupe is a much more upmarket place to sit.

Performance & Drive

With a choice of four engines on offer at present, customers can select a 2 Series Coupe that fits their needs. For long-range efficiency and low-down grunt, the 220d diesel will be the obvious choice, providing 190hp and sending it all to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

That means 0-62mph takes a perky 6.9 seconds.

If you prefer petrol power, the 2.0-litre 220i is the entry-level option, serving up 184hp and again sending it to the back wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

That’s a configuration common to every model in the 2 Series Coupe range, and in the 220i, it provides a 7.5-second 0-62mph time.

For a little more performance, customers can choose the 230i, which is essentially a more powerful version of the 220i, squeezing 245hp from its 2.0-litre petrol engine and achieving a 5.9-second sprint to 62mph as a result. 

Or you can have the range-topping M240i, with its fabulous 3.0-litre straight-six engine that churns out 374hp and gets to 62mph in a blistering 4.3 seconds.

No matter which you choose, all will be stunning to drive. Even the basic 220i provides adequate performance, and the more powerful versions are properly fast. BMW is plotting an M2 version with even more power than the M240i, but we really don’t think that’s necessary. The 3.0-litre 2 Series Coupe is more than fast enough.

And it handles exquisitely. The rear-wheel-drive layout makes it supremely balanced, while the compact dimensions and relatively low kerb weight make it very nimble. Mix that with BMW’s trademark steering weight and precise pedals, and you’ve got one of the best driver’s cars in the BMW range. And that’s saying something.

Of course, that handling prowess comes at the cost of comfort. The 2 Series Coupe has a slightly stiff ride that won’t suit everyone, but it isn’t too uncomfortable.

It doesn’t jar you too much or feel especially unstable, but it does get a little jiggly over broken surfaces. In the 220i and 220d models especially, we think a slightly softer suspension set-up might have made it a fantastic touring coupe.

Running Costs & Emissions

The most efficient 2 Series Coupe is the 220d, which uses its 2.0-litre diesel engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox to keep consumption to a minimum. Around 60mpg from a car that does 0-62mph in less than seven seconds is not to be sniffed at.

But it isn’t like the 2.0-litre petrol engines are thirsty, either. The 220i will return well over 40mpg and the 230i isn’t far behind.

Company car drivers will lament the lack of a plug-in hybrid option, but few sports coupes are available with such a powertrain anyway. The diesel’s 122-127g/km CO2 emissions should keep Benefit-in-Kind tax from getting too out of control.

Interior & Technology

Under the skin, the 2 Series is essentially a shrunken version of the 3 Series saloon, albeit with fewer back doors. That means there’s an almost identical cabin, featuring BMW’s latest touchscreen operating system and digital instrument display. 

The two fit across the top of the dashboard, merging into one to create a kind of widescreen display that covers two-thirds of the cabin’s width.

BMW infotainment systems are renowned for their ease of use, and this new system is no different. The display is crystal clear, the response to inputs is instantaneous and the menus are all logically laid out.

The digital instrument cluster, meanwhile, is highly configurable and even clearer than the slightly messy display originally fitted to the 2 Series Coupe and the 3 Series.

In fact, the new infotainment system is so good that the movement of the heater controls from the dashboard to the touchscreen has barely impacted the car’s usability. 

Rather than trawling through any number of menus to find the right display, the heater controls are permanently available via a pair of ‘hotkeys’ at the bottom of the screen, giving you instant access to the temperature settings.

Naturally, all this technology coincides with BMW’s legendary reputation for quality. The 2 Series feels very solid and stylish, with buttons that feel robust and premium, as well as some brilliant cabin materials.

The leather is soft and tactile, and the microfibre material on the seats is supple and cushy. And that’s before we start on the plastics, leathers and metals that adorn the dashboard and door cards.

Practicality & Boot Space

Two-door coupes do not generally prioritise practicality, and that remains true of the new 2 Series Coupe. With just the two side doors, access to the rear seats is tricky, and it doesn’t improve much when you squeeze inside.

There’s very little head- and legroom for anybody above average height, and most adults will feel pretty cramped on anything longer than a short hop.

Kids will be fine back there, though, and adults will be pretty content in the front. There’s just as much space as you’d find in a 3 Series, and there’s plenty of adjustability in the seats, which makes it easy to get comfortable. If you can cope with a 2+2, rather than a genuine four-seater, the 2 Series is epic.

And it has plenty of space in the boot. Admittedly, the boot opening is a bit small – it’s difficult to fit anything bulky through the aperture – but the total space is quite impressive. 

At 390 litres, the load space is bigger than that of the Volkswagen Golf, although the VW’s boot is certainly a more practical shape. Nevertheless, for carrying most everyday items, the 2 Series will be more than spacious enough.

And if you only occupy the front two seats, you can use the back seats as a kind of leather-lined parcel shelf.

Safety

The BMW 2 Series Coupe scored solidly in the hands of Euro NCAP, managing four stars out of a possible five. 

Given the success BMW has had with other models, we were a little surprised, but a deeper dive into the statistics shows it was mainly marked down for issues with driver assistance technology, rather than ‘passive’ safety systems that protect you in a crash. When you look at those scores, the 2 Series Coupe performed perfectly adequately.

And despite the problems with assistance tech in the crash test, the BMW comes with plenty of gadgets to keep you safe. 

There’s autonomous emergency braking that slams on the anchors if you fail to respond to a hazard and lane-keeping assistance technology, as well as speed limit assistance. Parking sensors are included as standard to help prevent any low-speed dings while manoeuvring.

Options

The 2 Series Coupe range is incredibly simple. The 220i, 220d and 230i models are all available solely in conjunction with M Sport trim, which comes with sport suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and part-leather upholstery, as well as the touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument display.

Customers can choose from a range of options packs, most of which offer tech-orientated features including keyless entry and extra parking assistance technology. There’s also a wide range of colours, including the vibrant Melbourne Red and BMW’s vivid Tanzanite Blue, as well as the deep purple Thundernight.

For those who want more performance, the M240i has its own trim level, marked out by the Shadowline black trim around the sportier bumpers and the concave grille. It looks meaner and more aggressive, and it comes with more equipment, including full leather upholstery and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Rival Cars

There aren’t many saloon-shaped two-door coupes on the market these days, so the 2 Series Coupe is up against some pretty sporty numbers. Chief among these is the Audi TT, which offers looks and technology without really setting the world alight with its handling prowess. The BMW is more practical and much better to drive, but it isn’t quite as high-tech or as sexy.

Then you’ve got the Toyota Supra, which is made with a number of BMW components and looks great, but it only has two seats. There’s also the French Alpine A110, which is a lightweight sports car designed with just one thing in mind: cornering. It fits the brief perfectly, but the BMW will beat it at any other aspect of daily life.

The same can’t be said of the most dangerous rival of all, however. The Porsche 718 Cayman is superb, with a mid-engine layout that makes it incredible to drive, while it’s also blessed with surprisingly comfortable suspension and impeccable quality.

It’s exquisite, and although it doesn’t have quite as much boot space as the BMW, the only real reason you’d choose the BMW is because you desperately need back seats, in which case you probably really want a four-door car…

Verdict & Next Steps

The 2 Series Coupe is unquestionably a masterstroke, merging power, performance and handling with a hint of executive saloon practicality and respectability, not to mention a dose of luxury. 

If you’re leasing a car purely for fun, it can’t beat the Porsche 718 Cayman and the Alpine A110, but if you want a practical everyday coupe that’s occasionally enjoyable on a good back road, the BMW beats the Audi TT and the Alpine soundly.

Where to next?

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*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the BMW 2 Series Coupe

**Correct as of 08/08/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £3,815.64 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.