2023 BMW 2 Series

Performance and power define the 2023 BMW 2 Series. This petite two-door packs a lot of fun into a small and affordable (for a BMW) package. It uses the same platform and engines as the 4 Series Coupe, but it’s smaller, lighter and prettier and cheaper to boot. BMW enthusiasts will love the way the rear-wheel drive versions of this nimble coupe perform, while those who prefer a little more control might opt for the all-wheel drive models. Either way, there’s a lot to love about the traditional 2. BMW also sells a four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe, but we review that very different model separately.

The second-generation 2 Series debuted as a 2022 model, and not much has changed this year, but the interior gets a new curved dashboard display with BMW’s iDrive 8 software. The 2023 2 Series still comes in two basic flavors: A 255-horsepower four-cylinder powers the savory 230i, while the extra spicy M240i models get a 382-horsepower straight six. Both can now be had in rear- or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). BMW also offers a 453-horsepower M2 Coupe, but that’s a whole other animal that we haven’t fully tested yet, so we’re not covering it here.

Sports cars and coupes don’t sell like they used to, but competition is still fierce in this segment, and the 2 Series competes with a wide range of performance cars. More affordable alternatives include the Subaru BRZ or the Mazda MX-5 Miata, along with hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf R. Purebred sports cars like the Nissan Z, Porsche 718 or Toyota Supra are also worth competitors, but the 2 Series is also a budget alternative to BMW’s own 4 Series and Z4, which use many of the same mechanical pieces and engines.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some BMW fans, particularly old-school 3 Series enthusiasts, might find the exterior of the 2 Series very pleasing, while others might find it a little bland.  Jack Kazmierski

The entry-level rear-wheel drive 230i Coupe comes nicely equipped at a starting price of $39,195 (including a $995 destination fee). Step up to the 382-horsepower M240i Coupe (starting at $49,895), and thanks to the extra 127 ponies under the hood, you’ve got a much faster vehicle that can easily keep pace with six-cylinder Supras, Z4s and fancy 718s. The rear-drive models are more neutral, traditional handlers and the choice for drift fans, but the AWD models ($2,000 extra on either) are more precise. Sadly, manual transmissions are reserved for the M2.

The 2 Series is all about power, performance and the love of driving. Classic BMW handling translates into endless fun behind the wheel. Although not designed to haul cargo and entire families, it’s surprisingly spacious and practical for a coupe. The interior is inviting, warm and comfortable, just as long as you’re not asked to sit in the back row. If you really need a back seat the 4 Series might be better, but even with its confined rear the 2 is still roomier than the Lexus RC.

Nicely equipped, even the base 230i comes with features like power sport seats, navigation, a great sound system and a few active safety features. The new curved display looks great, although it isn’t quite as simple to use as last year’s design. BMW offers a whole roster of extras that can quickly add to the price tag, including an upgraded sound system, wireless charging, remote start, a drive recorder and much more. Overall the 2 is an excellent value for those who appreciate spirited driving and want the kind of old-school fun BMW built its reputation on.

The 2 Series’ warm and inviting interior is the site of this year’s biggest change: the new curved display dashboard with its big screens and iDrive 8 software.  Jack Kazmierski

Performance: 14/15

BMW’s 2 Series coupe comes in two basic versions: the 230i and the M240i. When the new models debuted, the 230i came only with rear-wheel drive and the M240i only as the AWD xDrive, but in late 2022 BMW added both configurations to both models. AWD costs $2,000 on each but comes with loads of grip and traction to put all that power down. All 2 Series models get the same eight-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, a manual gearbox is only available on the M2 thanks low sales in the non-M 2 Series’ previous generation.

The 230i models come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 295 foot-pounds of torque at 1,550 rpm. The M240i models get a turbocharged six-cylinder engine that makes 382 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 369 foot-pounds of torque at 1,800 rpm. These same engines can be found in the 4 Series, Z4 and Toyota Supra, so the 2 Series is a legitimate contender for all three.

The 255-hp engine that powers the 230i provides more than enough power for this compact coupe. The rear-wheel drive version of the 230i boasts a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds, while the all-wheel drive version is a tad faster at 5.3. The more athletic M240i models are even faster off the mark with a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds for the rear-wheel drive model, and 4.1 for the all-wheel drive version. For more on how each version drives, check out our first drive story.

No matter the model or the drivetrain, the 2 Series is lots of fun to drive. It’s quick, perfectly at home on tight turns, and braking is solid.

Fuel Economy: 14/15 

Although premium fuel is recommended for all 2 Series models, they’re surprisingly not as thirsty as you’d expect given their power and performance. According to the EPA, four-cylinder 230i models (averaging rear-drive and AWD models) get 26.5 mpg combined (27.5 city, 34.5 highway) while six-cylinder M240i models are rated at 26 mpg combined (22.5 city, 32 on the highway and 26 combined. That’s better than most other competitors, including the Toyota Supra, Nissan Z and Porsche 718. It even beats the smaller, lighter, four-cylinder Subaru BRZ (22 mpg combined, max).

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 9/15

The 2023 BMW 2 Series has not been rated by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That typically costs vehicles a few points in our evaluations, but since much of the 2’s structure is shared with the 3 Series (which earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS) and 4 Series, we’ve upped its rating a bit. 

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has tested the 2022 BMW 2 Series, which is structurally identical to the 2023 model, and in Europe it earned an overall rating of four out of five stars.

Active safety features include forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and speed limit information. Adaptive cruise control is a stand-alone option on all trims.

This is a traditional small two-door coupe, even if the shape is a little upright, and that means a comfy grand tourer up front with a back seat suitable only for little kids or luggage.  Jack Kazmierski

Comfort & Room: 13/15

Larger than the previous generation 2 Series, this BMW coupe has a split personality when it comes to comfort and interior space. Front passengers will find it spacious, with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics just like the room 4 Series two-door. Rear-seat passengers, on the other hand, will have to twist themselves into a pretzel in order to get in and out of the back seat. 

To be fair, getting into the back seat is a struggle with all coupes. Once back there, however, 2 Series passengers will find the seats comfy but confining, with pretty limited legroom (32.2 inches) and headroom (34.7 inches). A six-foot-four person can fit, though they won’t want to be back there long, but these seats are best reserved for little kids or luggage. 

Infotainment: 14/15

A brand new “curved display” adorns the 2 Series’ dashboard this year, putting a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a huge 14.9-inch central information display under a single pane of glass. This same setup debuted on the iX and has been steadily filtering through the entire BMW lineup since, including on this year’s all-new X1 and 7 Series models. 

The huge new screen runs BMW’s latest iDrive 8 software, which is beautiful to look at but a bit overcomplicated to learn. In more affordable models like the 2 Series and X1, however, the menus are a little simpler than in the 7 Series. The systems are user-friendly and intuitive, and more modern than the 2022 models, which used an older version of iDrive.

The system also includes BMW’s helpful Intelligent Personal Assistant (enables voice commands and certain automated features), a BMW digital key (allows the owner to lock and unlock the vehicle with a mobile phone instead of a key) and over-the-air update capability. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with two USB ports, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. 

A 205-watt 10-speaker audio system is standard, but audiophiles might appreciate the optional 464-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system with 14 speakers.

Although no one buys a coupe for the cargo space, the 2 Series has ample room for most items. You won’t want to move house with it, but it’s a practical day-to-day machine by sports car standards.  Jack Kazmierski

Cargo Space & Storage: 9/15

No one buys a coupe for the cargo space. That said, the 2 Series boasts a cargo capacity of 10 cubic-feet, which is enough for groceries, as well as a weekend trip out of town. Since the back seats will likely not be used often, if at all, they can also be folded down for significantly more cargo space.

Compared with rivals like the Toyota Supra (10.2 cubic-feet of cargo space), or the Nissan Z (6.9), the 2 Series is usefully capacious. The Porsche 718 Cayman has a total of 14.9 cubic-feet of cargo space, but it’s split into two tiny segments, 5.2 in the frunk, and 9.7 in the rear luggage compartment. Among direct alternatives, only the 4 Series coupe (12 cubic-feet) really has more that you can actually use.

Style & Design: 7/10

While the interior of the 2 Series is well-designed, welcoming and even cozy, the exterior lacks personality.  Depending on your perspective, this might be a good or bad thing.

It’s not inspiring or muscular. Rather, it’s a bit boxy and boring, in sharp contrast to the unmistakable, but oft-criticized 4 Series. In fact, the 2 Series almost seems incomplete, as though the designer put together a rough draft, but then forgot to finish it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, however, and some might find the design very pleasing. By sports car standards, it’s a conservative two-door sedan, but many of BMW fans’ favorite models fit exactly that mold, including long-ago 2 Series predecessors like the E21 and E30 3 Series.

The 2 Series is all about performance, and it offers many of the same thrills as the 4 Series coupe and Z4 for less money. It no longer comes as a convertible like those cars, but most buyers aren’t disappointed.  Jack Kazmierski

Is the 2023 BMW 2 Series Worth it? Which 2 Series is the Best Value?

With a starting price of $39,195 (all prices include $995 destination fee), the entry-level rear-wheel drive 230i Coupe is sure to bring a smile to performance junkies’ faces, as well as BMW purists who believe that only rear-wheel drive will do. The fun-to-drive package comes with most of the features and technologies modern drivers look for in a performance vehicle, and if you want them BMW makes many extras available.

For true neck-snapping performance, however, only the 382-horsepower M240i Coupe will do (starting price: $49,895). Of course, to harness all that power, perhaps the AWD M240i xDrive Coupe is the better choice ($51,895) for maximum traction in all weather conditions.

BMW offers a whole menu of enticing creature comforts that can quickly add to the bottom line, including an upgraded sound system, wireless device charging, remote engine start, a drive recorder, and much more. Whether each of these extras is worth it, is a personal decision. 

The most important options? The Convenience Package ($1,500) adds a moonroof (you can delete it and cut $800 off the price), proximity locking and unlocking, automatic high beams and ambient lighting. The Premium Package ($3,350) adds those features (again with an optional moonroof delete) plus BMW’s live cockpit pro, a head up display, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a remote garage door opener. Adaptive cruise control is a stand-alone $550 extra.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the BMW 2 Series?

According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $2,788 for a 2 Series. That compares to $2,944 for the Toyota Supra, $3,436 for the Porsche 718 Cayman, and $2,352 for a VW Golf R. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.