BMW 2 Series Coupe Review 2023
The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a sporty coupe that's almost like a younger sibling to the 4 Series Coupe. The 2 Series Coupe is a good all-rounder with a premium interior, strong engines, and superb on-the-road performance.
Rivals to the 2 Series Coupe include the Audi A5 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe, and Porsche 718 Cayman.
Our BMW 2 Series Coupe review covers:
- Aggressive exterior styling
- Luxurious interior with BMW's superb iDrive infotainment system
- 390-litre boot
- Three petrol engines available
- Two trim levels
Pros:
- Top of the range M240i engine is fantastic
- Great technology
- Good handling and road grip
Cons:
- Standard suspension is a bit firm
- Two adults will struggle to get comfortable in the rear
- More trim levels needed
The 2 Series Coupe is aggressive-looking. Up front, there's a two-pronged front grille, slick LED headlights, and black air vents. Creases in the bonnet and unique rear lights also complement the aggressive styling.
The 2 Series Coupe cabin is what you'd expect for a two-door sporty coupe. Up front, there's plenty of room for passengers over six feet tall, but the rear is only suitable for kids. If you're an adult, climb in behind the seats, and you're greeted with two small seats that offer minimal head and legroom. If you plan on carrying more than one passenger, go for the Mercedes CLA Coupe.
Boot space comes in at 390 litres for the 2 Series Coupe, which is respectable for a two-door coupe. It will easily fit a few suitcases or a set of golf clubs, and it's much more generous than the Porsche Cayman's 272-litre boot. The rear seats also fold in a 40/20/40 split, so you can carry larger items if needed.
The interior of the 2 Series Coupe is a thing of beauty. It's been designed perfectly, from the large steering wheel to the stylish horizontal air vents. There's also a range of premium materials, such as soft-touch plastics and Alcantara leather.
The high-quality interior is complemented by equally good technology. On the dashboard, you get a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that uses BMW's superb iDrive system. It comes standard with sat-nav and smartphone mirroring and can be used through touch or the rotary controller between the front seats.
You also get digital dials behind the steering wheel, and an optional head-up display is available that projects driving-related information onto the windscreen.
Two trims are available: M Sport and M240i.
M Sport has 18-inch jet black double-spoke alloy wheels, LED lights, sports seats, a sport leather steering wheel, three-zone automatic air conditioning, a high-gloss black interior, cruise control with brake function, and front and rear park distance control.
M240i comes with the exclusive M240i engine, adding M Sport differential and front M Sport seats with vernasca leather upholstery.
Three engines are available in the 2 Series Coupe: the entry-level 220i, the mid-range 230i, and the rapid M240i. All 220i and 230i come with rear-wheel drive, while the 240i has all-wheel drive. All units come paired with an eight-speed sport automatic gearbox.
The entry-level unit will be good enough for most and is our top pick. A 2.0-lite unit, it has 184hp and does 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds. It also returns good fuel economy at a combined 42.8mpg.
If you want a bit more power without having to sacrifice fuel economy, go for the 230i. It increases power output to 245hp and shoots from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds.
The range-topper is the 3.0-litre M240i, which competes with the units found in the Porsche Cayman. Increasing power output to a whopping 374hp, it tops out at 155mph and achieves 62mph in just 4.3 seconds.
The 2 Series Coupe drives like a BMW should. Its handling is accurate and responsive, and there's plenty of body control, which means you can have a bit of fun. The eight-speed automatic gearbox it's paired to is smooth and reacts quickly if you want to put it into manual mode.
One of the first things you'll notice in the 2 Series Coupe is the amount of road grip you get. Even on the rear-wheel drive versions, it feels secure, and if you go for the M240i, it's fantastic. This is complemented by responsive and accurate steering.
For ride quality, the 19-inch wheels mean it's quite firm, but it shouldn't cause too many issues with day-to-day driving. If you can afford it, go for the adaptive suspension extra, which is extremely comfortable.
Prices for the new BMW 2 Series Coupe start from £36,865.00 OTR* or to lease from £490.12 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the BMW 2 Series Coupe? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
