2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked a sense of awe reminiscent of majestic marine life, with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversized grille giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and reaching $69,570 with options, the 3 Series, especially the M340i trim, was praised for its exhilarating driving experience. The interior offered a variety of colors and materials, with the test car featuring off-white Ivory leather contrasting with a black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior. The quality of the interior was noted to have improved, making the high sticker price more palatable.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was the first BMW in the U.S. to feature standard front-wheel drive, offering a more affordable entry into the BMW brand. Available in 228i and M235i models, the Gran Coupe came with optional xDrive all-wheel-drive for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe test car, priced at $48,595, included the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other options. The design aimed to balance proportions with visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles. Inside, the 2 Series adhered to BMW's modern design with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation, offering an upscale feel despite being an entry-level model.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series was lauded for its driving dynamics, with significant structural and suspension changes enhancing its handling. The M340i trim featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car's performance was further bolstered by BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a rear M Sport differential, and M Sport brakes. The M340i xDrive could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, offering a thrilling driving experience despite the absence of a manual transmission.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offered a different kind of driving experience. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds, providing a spirited drive. The car featured an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, AWD, and performance-enhancing technologies like brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience with swift and direct handling. While the suspension was firm, the Gran Coupe felt glued to the road, offering a fun and engaging drive.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple and supportive front seats, providing comfort and support during spirited drives. The interior featured high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were somewhat awkward, but once inside, the seats were comfortable with substantial side bolsters. The infotainment system was well-integrated, and storage space was generous, with a 17-cubic-foot trunk offering ample cargo space despite its narrow design.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for two people, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats providing comfort. However, rear-seat access was challenging, and space was limited, with headroom and legroom being tight. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility. Despite its fast roofline, the Gran Coupe did not offer the same utility as a sportback design.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured an advanced iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was intuitive, with multiple ways to interact, including a knob and buttons on the center console. The voice recognition system was particularly praised for its accuracy and ease of use. The car also featured a head-up display, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between analog gauges, and the Premium Package added Live Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch digital display. The infotainment system used iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options, including voice recognition. The car also featured a premium sound system and optional Gesture Control, though the latter was noted to be hit-or-miss.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages to equip it with the latest ADAS. While the systems were accurate, they lacked smoothness, and the lane-keeping assist was notably abrupt. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The test car included Active Driving Assistant features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assistance. The lane-keeping system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.