2021 BMW 2 Series Coupe

Good things don't come cheap and the price of the BMW 2 Series is significant for its class. The base model 230i starts with an MSRP $35,900 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995. Going for the AWD 230i xDrive Coupe will cost you $37,900. Stepping up to the M240i, prices start at $46,350 for the RWD model and go up to $48,350 for the xDrive version. You can expect to see a price of $54,325 if you max out the options list.

BMW has always set out to build driving machines, and even its range of SUV offerings are some of the better-driving cars in their class, so it comes as no surprise then that the 2 Series Coupe delivers an exciting and well-balanced experience. Out on suburban roads, the 2 Series will feel slightly stiff, but it is not enough to become intrusive and that stiffness eventually pays off when it comes to the corners. Once you head into the twisty stuff, these cars come alive. The M240i is fitted with adaptive M suspension and M Sport brakes, which means there's lots of room to play and enjoy the chassis to the fullest. The traction control system can be turned off for some wild antics, and there are also driving modes such as Eco Pro for when you're trying your best not to distress your other half in the passenger seat. Comfort mode offers a smooth ride and gear shifts. When things get going, the 2 Series Coupe offers a sharp turn in, and best of all is that mid-corner bumps do little to unsettle the car. The steering is communicative, and you get a real good sense of what the car is doing at all times. The brakes on both models are outstanding. These cars are well balanced and responsive but can place you in some serious trouble if you push too far.

BMW has worked its magic here - the 2 Series Coupe manages to be a few different things at once. It is, first and foremost, a brilliant driver's car that delivers a pure driving experience. Its compact dimensions might be an issue if you're a back seat passenger, but the rest of the time it cocoons the driver in a surprisingly spacious cabin that is perfectly set up for driver enjoyment. BMW has done a great job of offering the 2 Series in so many configurations - where else will you get the option of a manual in RWD guise or a great auto transmission in AWD configuration? Both turbo engines deliver excellent performance and should be enough to satisfy most tastes, especially in spicy M240i form. The interior may be aging now, but that doesn't mean the materials aren't of high quality. There are enough tech features to be found on the inside, but the infotainment suite is showing its age, and there aren't as many safety features as other premium rivals provide. The 2 Series is a well-balanced sports coupe despite its age, but with a new one on the horizon for 2022, we think it might be worth waiting a little while longer and buying the new model. For those who can't wait, the 2021 model is still an excellent example of a luxury coupe.

BMW gives its US customers a wide range of options when it comes to the 2 Series Coupe, and if you can believe all the reviews, most of those options are good. We struggled to find fault with any of them. In the end, the purchasing decision will boil down to two things, namely price and performance. For most, the 230i will be more than enough. It delivers punchy performance and athletic handling with an elegant interior and safety tech to boot. If you want more go, then the only way is the M240i. If we were the ones doing the buying, we would go with the rear-wheel-drive M240i with a manual transmission and Long Beach Blue paint. Black Dakota leather and carbon fiber interior trim also get our nod. At the same time, on the options front, the Premium Package and Harman Kardon sound system are worth the premiums they command.

The BMW 3 Series is possibly the best known and most loved BMW model out there, and with good reason. It has always represented athletic ability, premium quality and luxury in a package that is relatively affordable. The 2021 BMW 3 Series starts at a price of $41,250, which is a little more than four grand more than you'll pay for the 230i, in comparison. The 3 Series shares the same drivetrain as the 2 Series, so you get both the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot and 3.0-liter inline-six motors, but power differs significantly. The 2.0 liter in the 3 Series gets 255 hp vs 248 hp in the 2 Series, and the 3.0-liter engine produces 382 hp in comparison to the 335 hp in the 2 Series. Power is sent to the rear or all fours via an eight-speed transmission. The most obvious difference here is the fact that the 3 Series has two extra doors, more interior space, and more cargo space. The 3 Series is arguably the more comfortable car on the road, but tangible aspects are shared with the 2 Series, such as interior design and materials. The infotainment setup in the 3 Series is a newer system, and is vastly improved over the system in the 2 Series, which makes the 3 Series all the more attractive. If you want more space, but the same vibe, get the 3 Series.

Here's where the competition gets tough. The Audi A3 isn't available in coupe form, but these two cars share similar dimensions and perform in the same ballpark. The Audi A3 Sedan is powered by two flavors of 2.0-liter turbocharged power. In 40 TFSI guise, the A3 produces 184 hp, and in 45 TFSI form, that power is bumped up to 228 hp. The other differences here are obvious: the A3 is only available in FWD and AWD, not RWD. The A3 Sedan is the slower car, but on the road, it feels just as comfortable. The interior isn't as focused as that of the BMW, but it is still a pleasant place to be. The Audi offers a maximum trunk space of 12.3 cubic feet in the 40TFSI, which makes the 2 Series Coupe the surprising winner in terms of storage practicality. In terms of tech, the Audi is right up there with the BMW, and with a starting price of $33,300, it undercuts the BMW by over two grand. We would still have the 2 Series for its driver focus, but those in search of comfort will inevitably favor the A3.

The BMW 2 Series Coupe is the big brother of the 2 Series Coupe, but these two cars share a lot of similarities. The 2021 4 Series Coupe starts off with a base price of $45,600 in the USA, which is $9,700 more than the 2 Series; but just how much more car do you get for the price? From the outside, the 4 Series is arguably the more handsome car, thanks to its bulky proportions, but that gaping grille will most certainly split opinions. The 4 Series is a significantly larger car, with an overall length of 187.9 inches compared to the 174.7 in the 2 Series. As with the 2 Series, you get to choose from a 2.0-liter turbo-four or a 3.0-liter inline-six engine. The 2.0-liter unit produces 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter engine produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. On the road, the 4 series is a more relaxed car to drive, and the overall experience speaks to that. The cabin feels surprisingly similar in size to the 2 Series, and the 4 Series actually offers less rear-seat headroom. Cabin materials and tech are on point. We would go with the 4 Series if it wasn't for that horrible nose.