History/Overview
BMW’s entry-level car model is the 2 Series, which comes as a two-door coupe or convertible or a four-door sedan called the Gran Coupe. The 2 Series dates back to 2014, when it replaced the 1 Series at the bottom of the Bimmer lineup.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
The only notable change for 2021 is the elimination of the six-speed manual transmission that was offered last year in certain 2 Series variants.
Available Trims
As with most of its models, the 2 Series’ trims are based on the car’s available engines. The coupe and convertible start out in 230i xDrive trim, powered by a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine, and the upgrade is to the M240i and its 3.0L turbo six-cylinder. The Gran Coupe uses similar (though less-powerful) engines, and carries 228i and M235i designations.
All versions are standard with AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Standard Features
The 230i coupe and convertible are standard with heated sport seats, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, leatherette upholstery, LED headlights and fog lights, navigation, satellite radio, a 205-watt stereo, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and a digital gauge cluster.
Safety gear includes rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, tire pressure monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and city-speed automatic emergency braking.
M240i trim brings a heated steering wheel, sport brakes, adaptive suspension, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a through loading rear seat, and an M leather steering wheel.
The 228i Gran Coupe adds power-folding/auto-dimming side mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, power seat adjustments, front and rear parking sensors and automatic high beams. The Gran Coupe is also the only 2 Series variant to come standard with Android Auto.
M235i Gran Coupe adds leather seating, remote engine start, sport brakes, a heated steering wheel, and M sport suspension and steering.
Key Options
230i and M240i options include an M Performance package (variable sport steering, adaptive suspension, transmission shift paddles) and Premium Package Essential (auto-dimming rearview mirror, sunroof, passive keyless entry, power seats, heated steering wheel, integrated garage door opener). Premium Package Extended builds on the Essential group, adding rear seat through loading, wireless smartphone charging, lumbar adjustments, auto-dimming side mirrors, WiFi hotsport, and an upgraded stereo.
In the 228i Gran Coupe, an M Sport package brings sport brakes and 19-inch wheels. The Premium Enhanced Package gets you a choice of wheel styles, transmission shift paddles, wireless smartphone charging, a leather steering wheel, BMW live cockpit professional, a heated steering wheel, WiFi hotspot, passive keyless entry, a garage door remote, and an aero package.
The 228i Gran Coupe Premium Excellence Package builds on Premium Enhanced with leather upholstery, a surround sound stereo, adaptive headlights, head-up display, parking assist, and active cruise control.
The M235i Gran Coupe can also be had with an M Enhanced Package of gloss black exterior trim, M sport seats and performance package, and M seat belts.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, BMW hadn’t published fuel consumption figures for the 2021 2 Series, but they should be similar to those for the 2020 model.
Those ratings are 10.9/7.5 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 230i coupe/convertible and 11.4/8.3 for the M240.
In the Gran Coupe, the 228i is rated 10.2/7.2 L/100 km (city/highway) and the M235i’s estimates are 10.3/7.3 L/100 km.
Competition
Direct competition in the upscale car sphere comes from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and the Audi A3/S3. If you’re willing to give up some cachet, you could cross-shop the 2 Series against the Volkswagen GTI/Golf R, and the Honda Civic Si.
