2019 BMW 2 Series Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byMark TakahashiCorrespondentMark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
What's new
Advanced safety features and parking sensors are now standardPart of the first 2 Series generation introduced for 2014Over the decades, BMWs have gotten bigger, heavier and pricier. If you compare today's 3 Series with its early predecessors, you wouldn't even think they were in the same vehicle class. However, there is one vehicle in the lineup that maintains a relatively close link to those smaller BMWs of the past: the 2019 BMW 2 Series.
Sold as a two-door coupe or convertible, the 2 Series provides entertaining driving dynamics and relative affordability (for a BMW). At its most accessible price, you won't feel as if you're getting a cheaper car with a BMW badge stuck on it. The base 230i is solidly built and now comes with more standard features than before, including a suite of advanced safety features to keep it competitive with most every other car today.
Where the 2 Series really sets itself apart from rivals is in its commanding performance. The 230i's 248-horsepower four-cylinder engine crushes its direct competitors, and the M240i's 335-hp six-cylinder is worthy of that "M" in its name. Both models also deliver sporty handling that doesn't sacrifice comfort in the process.
The main downside to the 2 Series is its two-door layout, which can make getting in and out of the already smallish back seat difficult. Other cars in this price range — such as the Audi A3, the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the forthcoming A-Class — are sedans, making them better choices if you need something more practical. Or for comparable performance at a lower price, you might want to have a look at the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. Overall, though, we love how the 2019 2 Series maintains the spirit of those old BMWs while providing all of today's innovations.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
8.6 / 10
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the BMW 228i Coupe (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2014, the current 2 Series has received some revisions, including some added standard features in 2016, increased power output, new model names and an updated iDrive system in 2017. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's 2 Series, however.
Scorecard
Overall | 8.6 / 10 |
Driving | 9.0 |
Comfort | 9.0 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 8.0 |
Driving
9.0Acceleration, braking and handling all combine to make the BMW 2 Series an inspiring performer. With the available M Sport adaptive suspension, the poised handling doesn't come at the expense of comfort. There's a great seat-of-the-pants feel, which instills confidence.
Acceleration
9.0The 2.0-liter turbo engine gets the 2 Series up to 60 mph quicker than pretty much all of its rivals. Whether the 2 Series is storming onto highways or just commuting, shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission are quick and smooth.
Braking
9.0With the optional M Sport brakes and summer tires, our test vehicle stopped from 60 mph in only 111 feet. During these panic stops, distances were consistent, and the car remained composed and controllable.
Steering
8.0The 2 Series is very responsive. Steering effort is light at low speeds and weights up appropriately when going faster. Feedback is a little lacking, but the M steering wheel feels great in your hands.
Handling
9.0It's an absolute joy to toss the small 2 Series into a series of sharp bends. In Sport Plus mode, the stiffer suspension settings relay all vital information to the driver, and the stability control allows for some thrills.
Drivability
9.0In Comfort or Eco Pro mode, the softer suspension settings and dialed-back throttle response make the 2 Series well-mannered for everyday driving. The stop-start system is quick to respond and requires no forethought from the driver.
Comfort
9.0Even though the BMW 2 Series is sport-focused, its ride quality can still be adjusted to a compliant level. And at least for the front passengers, the level of comfort is exactly what you'd expect from a luxury brand.
Seat comfort
8.0The front sport seats offer adjustments for seat cushion angle and length, with power side bolsters. Tall and short drivers alike will find a perfect position. The rear seats are cramped and suitable for children only.
Ride comfort
9.0The available M Sport adaptive suspension gives the 2 Series a wide range of comfort and performance. Comfort mode admirably smooths out the vast majority of ruts and bumps. But even in Sport mode, bumps are never intrusive.
Noise & vibration
9.0Wind noise is essentially absent, and road noise never rises above barely detectable levels. The little engine noise heard at higher revs sounds slightly burly and pleasing. The amount of insulation is excellent for the class.
Interior
8.0The 2 Series uses interior components from larger and more expensive models in the BMW lineup. The design and quality of materials are close to identical, and as a result, the car exceeds entry-level expectations.
Ease of use
8.0The well-placed and clearly labeled controls simplify operation and are intuitive enough that you don't have to look away from the road to use them. The iDrive interface has a slight learning curve, but it's one of the better systems available.
Getting in/getting out
7.0As small as the 2 Series is, getting in and out of the front seats is relatively pain-free, even in tight parking spaces. There is a long reach back to grab the seat belt, though. The rear seats are best left to smaller passengers.
Roominess
7.0The front seats easily fit taller occupants, with a wealth of headroom and legroom. The rear seats lack both, and the low seat cushions make them suitable for children only. In truth, this is expected from any compact coupe.
Visibility
8.0The forward roof pillars are on the thick side, but overall visibility is commendable. Even without the parking sensors, the car is easy to maneuver into a tight parking spot.
Quality
9.0Everything about the 2 Series has a solid and reassuring feel. The interior materials are top-notch, and all elements are precisely fitted. It is a true BMW from top to bottom.
Utility
8.0There are plenty of pockets and bins in the cabin to hold your small items, and the trunk is bigger than those of most competitors. There are few sacrifices considering the car's small size.
Small-item storage
8.0Many bins, pockets and cupholders adequately accommodate your personal items.
Cargo space
8.0Trunk capacity is above average for the class. Remote latches in the trunk make folding the split rear seats effortless.
Which 2 Series does zzdcar recommend?
The 230i will have more power and performance than the typical driver will need. With a long list of standard equipment and advanced safety features, this entry-level BMW doesn't feel like you're just paying for a badge.
2019 BMW 2 Series models
The 2019 BMW 2 Series is available as either a coupe or convertible in 230i and M240i trims that are mainly distinguished by engines. The 230i coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque). The M240i gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (335 hp, 369 lb-ft). Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual is available at no additional cost, but it is not offered with the 230i convertible. All-wheel drive is available as an option for all models and requires the automatic transmission.
The 230i coupe's standard features include 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED foglights, front and rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, selectable drive modes, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated-leather upholstery, power-adjustable front sport seats, driver-seat memory settings, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with iDrive control, BMW's ConnectedDrive telematics, Bluetooth, a USB input, and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player and HD radio.
Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic braking at city speeds and daytime pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and a drowsy driver warning system. The 230i convertible comes with a power-folding fabric top and a mesh wind deflector, but the rear seats feature only a ski pass-through and do not fold flat.
Stepping up to the M240i coupe or convertible adds 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirror, a sunroof (coupe only), sporty exterior flourishes, a rear spoiler, a sport exhaust, an adaptive suspension, upgraded brakes and satellite radio.
Many of the M240i's extra features are available as options on the 230i. One major option package to consider is the Premium package, which gets you a navigation system, BMW remote services, Apple CarPlay, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Other add-ons include adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, a universal garage door opener, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
2019 2 Series Highlights
Type: M240iM240i xDriveCoupeConvertibleCoupeTrim: 230i230i xDriveM240iM240i xDrive230i
Base MSRP | $35,300 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $163/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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