“Large door pockets, a generous central bin, a couple of cupholders and a covered cubby to hold a smartphone or two all contribute to a car that hasn’t sacrificed any everyday usability in its quest for driving fun.” – Alex Ingram, former chief reviewer.
The 2 Series Coupe’s four-star Euro NCAP rating is slightly disappointing
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Cons |
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The 2 Series Coupe is one of only a handful of cars in BMW’s current lineup to not receive the maximum five-star crash safety rating from industry experts Euro NCAP. Instead, the 2 Series Coupe was awarded a four-star rating when it was tested in 2022.
Its scores of 82 and 81 per cent for adult occupant safety and child passenger protection, respectively, were good. However, the two-door coupe only received a 67 per cent in the Vulnerable Road Users category. Although the 2 Series’ active bonnet safety system worked ‘robustly’ in helping to reduce injuries to pedestrians in the event of a collision, Euro NCAP’s assessment was that ‘protection of the pelvis area was entirely poor.’
One area where the 2 Series Coupe has thrived, though, is the Driver Power survey. In the most recent best cars to own rankings, the 2 Series managed a 10th-place finish out of 50 cars. Owners have been particularly pleased with their cars’ driving experience, as well as running costs. The BMW brand performed pretty well, too, as it landed in eighth place out of 31 carmakers in the best manufacturer rankings.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | Four stars (2022) |
| Adult occupant protection | 82% |
| Child occupant protection | 81% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 67% |
| Safety assist | 64% |
- Best buy: BMW 230i M Sport
Many BMW buyers choose their cars for sheer driving pleasure, so in order to get a good helping of performance without forking out seemingly endless pounds, we recommend opting for the 230i in M Sport trim. While the most hardcore drivers will be better served by the BMW M2, the 230i treads a line between entertaining coupe and comfortable cruiser, so it’s arguably a much more sensible candidate for daily use.
BMW 2 Series Coupe alternatives
The performance coupe market is a slender one, but the 2 Series does still face a few formidable foes. If your heart desires a svelte sports car, the Alpine A110 is the most obvious alternative. However, if you’re prepared to look further afield, the latest Ford Mustang is a much more sophisticated machine than its rugged predecessors.
Frequently Asked Questions
The BMW 2 Series Coupe is a high-quality car which offers a good turn of speed without costing a ridiculous amount to run. While some rivals are a tad more engaging to drive, this car is able to settle down into a refined runabout for the more mundane daily tasks, so you kind of get the best of both worlds.
