2023 BMW 2 Series Coupe

The old adage about dynamite in small packages may be a little worn out, but it's never been more true than when used in conjunction with BMW's smallest coupe. The 2 Series Coupe remains one of the most entertaining cars in the USA, which is generally crowded with trucks and SUVs rather than smaller cars. But the 2 Series, now in its second generation, continues to be one of the most fun-to-drive executives, with the 2023 model only available as a traditional coupe or the four-door Gran Coupe, which we review separately. The kidney grille returns to a normal size here, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the base model is 255 horsepower strong. A 382-hp turbo 3.0-liter inline-six helps the M240i stay near the top of our rankings against competitors such as the Ford Mustang. We must admit that the styling might not be to everyone's taste, and some may prefer the looks of Toyota's Supra - with which it shares an engine in M240i guise - but the rest of the Bimmer is polished and eager to please. Does it have what it takes to keep BMW top of mind in the driver-focused corner of the market?

The entry-level RWD 230i has a starting MSRP of $37,400 and the 230i xDrive costs $39,400. If you want to go up to six-cylinder power, that particular BMW 2 Series has a price of $47,900 for the RWD M240i and $49,900 for the M240i xDrive. These prices exclude the $995 destination charge.

The whole point of the 2 Series is to provide a driving experience that fuels the excitement for time spent behind the wheel; while a thrilling drive is one thing, the 2 Series Coupe is also refined and relaxed for daily duties. To this end, the 2023 2 Series is comfortable, not too harsh on bumpy roads, and can even coddle passengers on longer cruises. But behind its polite demeanor, the 2 Series is also agile with an affinity for being thrown into corners and providing some sideways action, courtesy of the rear-wheel drive layout. All-wheel drive is available on both the base model and the spicier M240i if you want more traction, but even in AWD guise, the system is biased towards the rear.

Acceleration is free from turbo lag, and whether you're merging on the highway, overtaking at speed, or simply going from one traffic light to the next, the 2 Series is a delight. If there is one thing we could complain about, it would be the lack of steering feel, but this seems to be a common theme in modern BMWs.

The 2023 BMW 2 Series is in a class of its own, with neither Mercedes-Benz nor Audi offering anything that can really compete with the sporty two-door coupe. The 2 Series continues a legacy of engaging and evocative BMWs that package together brilliant powertrains and an agile chassis for a reasonable price, which means more people can experience genuine driving thrills. The base 230i's punchy engine is a hoot, with 255 hp and 294 lb-ft of torque getting the 0-60 mph dash done in 5.5 seconds (or 5.3 in AWD configuration). The more potent M240i ups the ante even further with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft, dispatching the benchmark sprint in as little as 4.1 seconds with AWD. This doesn't mean the little German is a one-trick pony, however, and as a daily commuter, it's plush and comfortable, too. There may not be up-to-date safety reviews for the BMW 2 Series coupe, but with a features list as long as your arm, you're all but guaranteed a safe trip - provided you don't get too carried away by the alluring sound from under the hood. Starting at just $37,400 for the base model and $47,900 for the M240i, the value of the 2 Series Coupe lies in how it makes you feel, more than just what you're getting for the money.

Though the base 230i has a lot to offer starting at $37,400, we could not pass up the tantalizing power offered in the M240i. Unfortunately, the pseudo-M model comes with a massive price bump to $47,900, so we'll try to be selective with the options. $650 for optional paint would be an easy choice for us (definitely Thundernight Metallic), and real Vernasca leather inside seems like a worthy upgrade for $1,500. The $1,950 Premium Package bundles in many important features, like the heated seats/steering wheel, active LED headlights, and a head-up display, and from there we'd toss in adaptive cruise control for $550 and the Harman Kardon audio for $875 as a la carte options. As described, an M240i will set you back just under $54,000. You can add the xDrive for $2,000 if you live in a cold-weather state, but we'd take the lighter, purist's choice RWD. For reference, the cheapest six-cylinder Z4 costs $65,300. The six-cylinder Toyota GR Supra starts at $52,500 and offers the M240i's engine with a six-speed manual transmission - an intriguing and attractive option indeed.