2020 BMW 2 Series Coupe

The rear-wheel-drive 230i starts at $35,300 before taxes, fees and BMW's $995 destination charge is added. No charge is placed on the specification of automatic or manual gearboxes. The 230i xDrive starts at $37,300 and is only available with the auto option. Moving up to the M240i will cost $45,800, while the M240i xDrive costs $2,000 more. Fully loaded, this model will set you back $55,670, including destination.

Typically well balanced, all BMW models aim for an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The M240i features adaptive M suspension and dynamic traction control, which can be partially turned off to allow a little bit of slip and slide, or completely deactivated for your best Mustang crowd-control impersonations. Driving modes include Eco Pro, which obviously aims to save fuel, or Comfort for the smoothest shifts and most supple suspension tuning, Sport is aimed at more spirited driving styles and Sport+ increases maximum throttle response and suspension firmness. The 2 Series' chassis is, as with classic BMW's, even more impressive than its engine. Turn-in is sharp, and the entire car feels nimble and intuitive, with mid-corner bumps doing little to unsettle the car. If it were the star of an action movie, this coupe would be more akin to Bruce Lee than Dolf Lundgren, stylishly and precisely communicating that everything is under control. When you've had enough of being a hero, the brakes are infallible, with great response and well-modulated bite. Of course, as with Bruce Lee, too much white, er, smoke, can lead to things going out of control. Don't be fooled - it is still possible to get into trouble in this car, but the signs are there and the car lets you know when you're pushing your luck.

For its size and power, the 2 Series is surprisingly spacious and economical. It's also well-equipped and beautifully balanced, even in base form. Options of drivetrain and transmission are becoming increasingly rare, but the 2 Series still offers them. Numerous safety features and a comfortable, whisper-quiet interior are also notable. The main thing, though, is how it performs. Even the base 230i is an excellent sports coupe, with enough grunt to satisfy most - something rare in entry-level coupes. The price may seem a little high, but when compared to its rivals and what this uber-refined car is capable of, it's actually quite reasonable. For maximum thrills, the M240i satisfies every desire while still managing to be a useful daily driver. You don't need to go all out to appreciate the car's balance or risk jail-time to have fun. It's also understated enough to fly under the radar of those with decibel-meters while denoting a sense of class that only a premium German coupe can properly execute. Plus, the badge-snobbery that comes with owning a BMW is hard to ignore. We'd take one in a heartbeat.

Unless you live in an area perennially plagued by inclement weather or otherwise slippery conditions, we'd suggest skipping the xDrive models and opting for a rear-wheel-drive 2 Series instead. Acceleration is not much different, and you have the option of stirring your own gears. That said, the ZF eight-speed auto is so good that we have to admit it makes sense for a daily driver, and it works brilliantly as a performance enhancement tool. We'd have an M240i, offering arguably better looks than the regular 230i, more standard equipment, a host of performance upgrades - including that peach of an engine - and the same practicality of the regular 2 Series coupe. The M240i is an all-rounder that doesn't feel like a compromise, and is therefore perfect.

The Audi A3 is an interesting comparison for the 2 Series. As with the 2 Series, you can have a convertible, but no other two-door option is available. Instead, the A3 is sold as a sedan, with the base model featuring a less-powerful engine and the top trim being only ten horsepower more powerful than the Bimmer's base variant. This top model features a two-liter engine which, despite making less power only manages to achieve the same mpg ratings as the top trim M240i. The A3 is also not available with a manual, and despite its fractionally greater length, offers less legroom for front occupants too. With base models featuring front-wheel-drive, and higher trims offering front-biased Quattro, the BMW is more engaging to drive. The trunk is smaller as well, and LED headlights cost extra. Overall, the BMW is a far better, more dynamic, and unusually more practical car than the A3 - unless you regularly ferry additional passengers in the rear. We'll have the 2 Series, thanks.

Those looking for a refined yet sporty drive may look to the 3 Series as an option. Since the dawn of time, or at least since its release in 1975, the 3 Series has always been the benchmark in its segment, offering supreme handling sprinkled with a fair dose of comfort, composure, and charisma. Recently redesigned, the 3 has moved the goalposts even further, offering more features and the same brilliant handling. That said, it has swelled considerably, and the 2 Series is more similar to the earlier E30. Yet even with its larger footprint, the latest-generation 3 Series makes more power and offers better fuel economy and it's more practical too. Starting at a smidge over 40 grand, it's $5,000 more expensive than the base 230i, which is a lot more car for the money. If you value practicality, the new 3 is, without a doubt, the vastly superior option. While the 2 Series is still an outstanding car, its rear seating limits its breadth of capability, and the 3 Series soundly trumps it.