2016 BMW 2 Series Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Compared to the stubby 1 Series—which in other world markets was sold as a more handsome hatchback—the 2 Series is pleasing, clean, and reserved. It looks like a BMW coupe did 20 years ago with the same box proportions, only rounded off. For 2016, it gets minor changes. For the 228i, BMW deleted the Sport Line trim and made its blackened appearance and sport seats standard. A new Luxury package adds chrome, and the M Sport package brings a sport suspension and more aggressive bumpers. All-wheel drive is now available for the M235i Convertible, and all M235i models now get most of the former Premium package (keyless entry, garage-door remote, satellite radio, auto-dimming side-view and rear-view mirrors) as standard.

While there are sleeker, faster BMWs that’ll impress (in order: M4, M6 Gran Coupe, i8), the 2 Series does not. Our M235i Convertible, however, put on airs with its beautiful Estoril Blue Metallic paint over cream Oyster Dakota leather and gray 18-inch rims covering matching blue brake calipers. Silver mirror caps and black exhaust tips added a touch of vanity. But if you desire attention, you’ll want to spend $54,745 on a new Corvette or a lightly used Boxster. The 2 Series blends in with every other 3 Series roaming the streets. The reward comes from behind its thick steering wheel.

The 2 Series comes as either a 2-door coupe or a soft-top convertible. Rear-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic are standard; the 6-speed manual in our test car is a no-cost option. All-wheel drive (or in BMW parlance, xDrive) offers rear-biased traction yet cannot be paired with the stick. The 228i has a 2.0-liter twin-power turbo 4-cylinder with 240 hp. It’s a decently quick engine, yet at idle there’s a diesel-like clatter from the high-pressure fuel injectors and really, what’s a classic BMW without a straight six? That’s what the M235i delivers in spades. Its turbo 3.0-liter 320-hp six is perfection: buttery smooth, incredibly punchy throughout the rev range, and an acoustic delight.

Even with the convertible’s added pounds, the M235i (not quite an M2, which is coming next year) is plenty fast. The clutch is a beginner’s joy—there’s so much low-end torque that feathering the throttle isn’t needed—yet it brings the skilled driver great feel and easy heel-and-toe downshifts. We also tested an M235i xDrive coupe, and the only difference is the automatic’s ultra-quick shifts and the hardtop’s greater chassis rigidity, which is slightly lost in the convertible. The electric power steering that feels artificial in the larger 3 Series is dialed straight into the road. Reaction and boost feel natural, and when tossed, the 2’s balanced 50:50 weight distribution and short wheelbase make for eager, sharp, and neutral handling. Selectable driving modes firm up the dampers and steering weight without sacrificing ride quality. But in Sport+, the throttle gets too jumpy, and the stereo plays fake engine noise—a distraction from the exhaust baffle opening at high revs, which lets out the engine’s real music. Avoid that setting and find an open road. The 2 Series is so much fun.