BMW2 Series

　　

2024 BMW 2 Series Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese 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 BMW 2 Series is the best pick of the brand's current lineup if you want to try to replicate the feeling from BMWs of 20 years ago. Granted, the 2 Series is longer and considerably heavier than a 3 Series coupe of the early 2000s, but snappy acceleration and responsive handling are still pretty well represented. BMW gave the 2 Series a big overhaul for 2022, adding more power, more muscular styling and an improved cabin, and stands pat for the 2024 2 Series.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Last of the small luxury coupes

The 2 Series is the sole survivor in the field of sporty European luxury compacts. BMW's rivals have pivoted to coupe-style four-doors, hatchback-SUV mashups or just very small sedans. If the 2 Series is the ending of the small sport coupe line, it's a good one. With its short length, eager engines and athletic handling, the 2 Series is entertaining to drive. This latest 2 Series is also more upscale than the previous-generation 2 Series. The cabin centers around an expansive curved panel that blends a digital gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen into a single, seamless display.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Infiniti Q50 and Lexus RC coupes are similar in concept to the 2 Series, but that's pretty much where the comparison ends. They both suffer from dated designs and underwhelming performance. A better option would be the new Ford Mustang. It's bigger than the 2 Series but otherwise offers a lot of upside thanks to its available V8 engine. If you don't mind picking a car with four doors, the coupe-style Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is another viable choice. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more about the 2 Series' performance, comfort and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the 2 Series drive? This is what we want from a BMW. Overall handling and performance are excellent, though it should be noted that our 230i test car was equipped with the M Sport bits (suspension, steering, brakes and rear differential) as well as summer tires. We recorded a 0-60 mph sprint of 5.5 seconds. That's quicker than the Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, and we expect the M240i will be similarly competitive with the Audi S3/RS 3 and AMG versions of the CLA. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes excellent low-range and midrange power, though it loses steam a bit toward the top of the rev band. It feels plenty strong around town or on the highway.

　　Braking and handling are nearly as impressive. The M Sport suspension helps keep body motions well in check, with only a mild amount of roll at the limit. The M Sport differential does an excellent job of managing traction, though the 230i will elicit a slide if you coax it. Braking was excellent, stopping from 60 mph in a scant 107 feet at our test track. The brakes are also easy to control when you're on the street.

　　The main disappointment here is the car's steering feel. It's weighted pretty well, but there's next to no feedback available to give you a sense of the front tires on the road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 2 Series? The 2 Series coupe isn't the most comfortable compact on the road, but we'd say the ride quality and overall refinement are about what we expect from a sporty coupe. The optional M Sport suspension obviously firms things up, but overall it strikes a decent balance between comfort and performance.

　　The front seats don't offer a huge amount of adjustment, but they're supportive and well padded. The heated seats and steering wheel work well, too, and we like that BMW continues to use dedicated physical controls for much of the climate control system.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below