2021 BMW 2 Series Review
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW 2 Series 230i 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
2021 BMW 2 Series Review
byReese CountsVehicle Test EditorReese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
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 zzdcar 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.
2021 BMW 2 Series models
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 wipersEvery 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 systemM240i
The M240i includes the 230i's standard equipment except for the foglights and adds:
18-inch wheels Upgraded brakes Adaptive suspension Keyless entry Moonroof M steering wheel Standard Convenience package featuresOptions include:
Premium package Adaptive headlights Navigation Harman Kardon audio system Wireless charging pad
2021 2 Series Highlights
Type: M240iM240i xDriveCoupeConvertibleConvertibleTrim: 230i230i xDriveM240iM240i xDrive230i
Base MSRP | $41,850 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $172/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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