| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Exhilarating driving dynamics and handling | Cramped rear seating | Standard Apple CarPlay compatibility |
Agile and nimble | Unpractical cabin room and cargo space | SiriusXM with real-time traffic updates now available as standard |
Upscale exterior styling |
$35,700
price228 hp @ 5000 rpm
horsepower258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm
torqueTBD
transmission2.0L 4cyl 8A
engine-
basic warrantyThe 2021 BMW 2-series Coupe combines a fun-to-drive demeanor with high-class European styling and still marks as the entry point for BMW ownership. Since 2014, the 2-series coupe has been a fascinating RWD subcompact luxury coupe for drivers who were into niceties, yet won’t feel like missing out on agility and handling. The Bimmer’s outstanding coupe lies in no-man's-land; it is hard to find German rivals for the same.
Buyers can choose between standard RWD or AWD. And our suggestion would be, enjoy the BMW coupe in its purest form, that is, the base RWD model. It allows the driver to alter the performance as per his needs or drift and rip off the tires, yet handle perfectly around the corners with experienced hands on the wheels.
For now, the 2021 BMW 2-series coupe will be rivaled against the likes of Toyota GR Supra, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger. Though it suffers from its own flaws, the BMW 2 Series
Is loaded with class-leading features, an efficient powertrain, and an intuitive infotainment system. Let’s see how the coupe stacks itself against two American muscle cars and a Japanese nameplate.
The 2021 BMW 2-series coupe is essentially a single trim variant and can be availed as an RWD subcompact luxury coupe, badged as BMW 230i, starting from $36,895, or an all-season durable AWD variant branded as the xDrive variant at a difference of $2,000. Either way, it makes for a viable proposition that provides standard features like keyless ignition, automatic climate control, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
|
Trim |
BMW 230i |
|---|---|
|
MSRP (RWD) |
$36,895 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
$38,895 |
|
Key Features |
17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels |
|
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel column |
|
|
LED headlights |
|
|
Dynamic Stability Control |
|
|
Dynamic Brake Control |
|
|
HiFi Sound System with 7 speakers |
|
|
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters |
You can equip the coupe with a Convenience package that fits the 2-series coupe with a power moonroof, four-way power lumbar adjustment, and ambient lighting, keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, as well as three 12-volt power sockets.
Which Trim should you buy?
Buyers can choose between standard RWD or AWD. And our suggestion would be, enjoy the BMW coupe in its purest form, that is, the base RWD model. It allows the driver to alter the performance as per his needs or drift and rip off the tires, yet handle perfectly around the corners with experienced hands on the wheels.
If you are into thrill and excitement behind the wheel, yet don’t want your pockets to get upset with massive fuel expenses, the 2-series Coupe might be your thing. The subcompact luxury coupe fits an efficient powerhouse under the hood, that delivers a healthy 28 mpg combined. The vehicle also fits a 13.7-gallon fuel tank that stocks ample fuel to last for more than 350-plus miles, before worrying about the next gas station.
|
Models |
2021 BMW 230i coupe |
2021 Toyota GR Supra |
2021 Ford Mustang |
2021 Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
25 |
25 |
21 |
19 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
32 |
32 |
30 |
30 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
28 |
28 |
24 |
23 |
|
Fuel Capacity |
13.7 gallons |
13.7 gallons |
15.5 gallons |
18.5 gallons |
|
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) |
342/438/383 miles |
342/438/383 miles |
326/465/372 miles |
352/555/425 miles |
The 2021 BMW 2-series Coupe looks quite efficient next to heavy-chuggers like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger that manage combined efficiencies of 24 and 23 MPG, respectively. However, the Toyota GR Supra is tied to the German coupe in terms of fuel economy, tank capacity, and the range that they manage. But if you want to cover the maximum distance before having to fanatically search for the nearest gas station, the Dodge’s combined range of 425 miles makes it an alluring choice.
The 2021 BMW 2-series coupe is the middle-ground to commendable performance, plus the interior makes you forget that it’s one of the cheapest new BMWs one can buy. The cabin oozes out contemporary styling, yet the low-seating position offers a sporty characteristic.
The front seats are beautifully bolstered bucket seats that hug the driver on the hardest turns and toughest stunts they pull off. The wide doors offer easy ingress and egress, while the front seats offer headroom and legroom to please six-foot-tall passengers. The rear seats are snug and apt for small children, it’s what one should expect from coupes.
Besides the cramped rear seats, there’s no single flaw that could be pointed out. The flashy and premium materials offer high-class vibes, despite the low price tag. The SensaTec synthetic material cleverly pulls off the leather looks, while the dash is decorated by high-gloss Black interior trim with Pearl Gloss Chrome highlight as well as an Anthracite headliner. The solid-build quality and luxurious interior wrapping make the BMW 2-series coupe a perfect luxury pick for the price.
Don’t forget that BMW offers tonnes of options to elevate interior opulence, one of these options includes a $1,450 Dakota leather option. This replaces the synthetic material with Dakota leather in black, Coral Red, Oyster, Cognac, and black with red highlights, makes the cabin more sporty and stylish and is worth the upgrade.
|
Models |
2021 BMW 230i coupe |
2021 Toyota GR Supra |
2021 Ford Mustang |
2021 Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating capacity |
4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
|
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
40.1/53.4/41.5 |
38.3/54.4/42.2 |
37.6/56.3/45.1 |
39.3/58.5/42.0 |
|
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
40.1/54.4/33 |
- |
34.8/52.2/29.0 |
37.1/53.9/33.1 |
|
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet) |
13.8 |
N/A |
13.5 |
16.2 |
Compared to the 2-series Coupe, the interior of the Ford Mustang and Dodge would miss out on the premiums and lavish features and focus more on muscularity. These both offer more basic yet sporty interiors, but available options can convert these into a blissful and delightful setting. The Toyota GR Supra offers the least seating, limited to just two, while both the BMW 2-series and Ford Mustang offer four-passenger seating with rear seats cramped for adults. The 2021 Challenger might be a better choice if the family is big. The 2-series Coupe, naturally, doesn’t come with a huge boot. Its limited 13.8 cu-ft cargo capacity is ample for a weekend getaway. Even in the cargo segment, the Dodge has better performance and has a total storage capacity of 16.2 cubic feet.
Standout interior features:
The 2021 BMW 2-series features a 6.5-inch high-resolution screen for times when one won’t be ripping the wheels. The menus are clearly laid out, and the infotainment is very intuitive and responsive thanks to the iDrive controller. The infotainment packs Bluetooth and USB connectivity, while HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio are also standard. A 7-speaker setup comes as standard, which can be upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup consisting of five tweeters, five mid-range speakers, and a set of subwoofers for ten speakers in total.
The driver’s cluster is old-school with analog gauges. The infotainment screen can be upgraded to an 8.8-inch one with enhanced navigation and real-time traffic for $900. Apple CarPlay is standard, while the Android Auto is missing.
Standout infotainment features:
The 2021 BMW 2-series is a handsome subcompact luxury coupe that still carries some golden age styling cues. For starters, the nimble and nippy size is enough to attract youth. The modern-day looks combine with beastly attire that remains unchanged from any angle. The long hood with muscular lines adds aggression, and along with the sharp-looking headlights and high-gloss black kidney frame grille, it could never be any more serious and weighty.
The muscular line on the side and the elegant sloping coupe-roofline adds to the sportiness. From the rear, the 2-series coupe looks quite similar to its ancestors, and enthusiasts would applaud the dual exhaust outlets in the world of fake exhausts. It falls on the smaller side of the segment measuring 174.7 inches long, 69.8 inches wide, and 55.8 inches tall. Its clearance from the ground of 5.1 inches is on the higher side of the segment as is its wheelbase that measures 105.9 inches.
|
Models |
2021 BMW 230i coupe |
2021 Toyota GR Supra |
2021 Ford Mustang |
2021 Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb weight (lbs) |
3435 |
3181 |
4089 |
3858 |
|
Length (in) |
174.7 |
172.5 |
188.5 |
197.9 |
|
Width (in) |
69.8 |
73 |
75.4 |
75.7 |
|
Height (in) |
55.8 |
51.1 |
54.3 |
57.7 |
|
Ground clearance (in) |
5.1 |
4.7 |
N/A |
5.2 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
105.9 |
97.2 |
107.1 |
116.2 |
Toyota GR Supra stands as the smallest and lightest sports car in the lot weighing 3,181 lbs. In the same area of comparison, the Mustang is the heftiest, but it's the Dodge Challenger that stretches the longest measuring 197.9 inches and sporting a wheelbase of 116.2 inches. The muscle car enthusiast would instantly fall for the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger.
Standout exterior features:
The 2021 BMW 2-series Coupe is yet to face the strict crash tests conducted by NHTSA and IIHS. Though the latter has rated the 2020 model year with impressive scores. There are a plethora of safety features that start from the base trim, and include amenities like eight airbags, front and rear park distance control, and LED headlights and foglights.
Other safety features include:
In comparison, the 2021 Toyota GR Supra is brawnier, quicker, and offers equally attractive efficiency to the 2-series. But the former lacks seating and practicality.
Though the BMW 2-series isn’t the most ideal and practical buy, it’s still better than the GR Supra. Both these iconic sports cars offer agile driving dynamics and a lively experience behind the wheels. But the Supra is quite expensive as compared to the BMW. For the price, the 2021 2-series coupe seems to be a better option than the Toyota.
With a bigger and punchier engine, the 2021 Ford Mustang does have an edge over the German luxury coupe. But both being RWD, never lack enthusiasm and engagement behind the wheels.
With equally cramped rear seats, neither of them is ideal for being a family car. The BMW 2-series Coupe is upscale right from the base, yet the Mustang would require you to opt for higher trim to get the fancier items.
In the real world, it would be pointless to compare a luxury coupe with a muscle car. But on paper, the 2021 Dodge Challenger beats the 2-series coupe in terms of performance and offering more practical cabin seating.
But the 2-series coupe offers more attractive interiors, tech bits, and efficient fuel economy. At last, it’s the priority that would make an easy case in this comparison.
The 2021 BMW 2-series coupe is a serious performer; an agile coupe with incredible performance, and steering feedback. The power mill under the hood allows the driver to slip and lose traction, and enjoy going sideways, but it still can be an excellent relaxed coupe. The interior isn't upscale to the level one might expect from the German automaker, yet it’s still quite lavish for the fact it’s an entry-level BMW. The smart and handsome looks are awaited to be refreshed thoroughly with the 2022 model year, yet it still looks sporty and charming.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #2 | 5.3 sec | 14.1 sec | 130 mph | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #1 | 4.4 sec | 12.6 sec | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #1 | 21 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | 13.7 gal. | 342.5/438.4 mi. | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #2 | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | 21.7 gal. | 347.2/542.5 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #2 | 174.7 in. | 69.8 in. | 55.8 in. | 5.5 in. | 105.9 in. | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #1 | 187.4 in. | 75.6 in. | 53 in. | 5.2 in. | 113 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #2 | 13.8 cu.ft. | 120.9 cu.ft. | 41 cu.ft. | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #1 | 5.4 cu.ft. | 85.9 cu.ft. | 5.4 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #1 | 41 cu.ft. | 13.8 cu.ft. | 41 cu.ft. | 98 ft. | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #2 | 68.9 cu.ft. | 5.4 cu.ft. | 5.4 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 BMW 2 Series Ranked #1 | 690 lbs. | 3386 lbs. | |||
2021 Lexus LC 500 Ranked #1 | 720 lbs. | 4340 lbs. |
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User Overall Rating
Posted On: July 23, 2024
I bought this car new in 2020 and I loved driving it to and from work every day. It was fast, reliable, and had all the bells and whistles. As I started to get older, it became more and more of an inconvenience to get in and out of the car given its size and how low to the ground it is. Not to mention, I would feel all bumps while driving which made traffic only that much more unbearable.
