2017 BMW 2 Series Review

The 230i comes standard with 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, automatic wipers, automatic dual-zone climate control, imitation-leather upholstery, eight-way manual front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks and a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel. The standard electronics array includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, BMW's iDrive electronics interface with a 6.5-inch display, and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio and a USB port.

A Premium package is available for the 230i, and it bundles power-folding and heated outside mirrors, auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors, ambient exterior and interior lighting, keyless entry and ignition, 10-way power front sport seats, driver-seat memory functions and satellite radio.

The M240i includes 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels, summer performance tires, adaptive suspension dampers, sportier variable-ratio steering, upgraded brakes, adaptive high-intensity xenon headlights with LED accent lights, a sport exhaust system, gray exterior mirror caps, an aerodynamic body kit, dark ("Shadowline") exterior trim, a rear spoiler and a sunroof (coupe only). Inside, you'll find upgraded aluminum trim and an M Sport steering wheel. Additionally, the M240i's standard equipment includes the contents of the Premium package.

Two options packages bring performance features from the M240i to the 230i, and can be ordered independently or in addition to each other. The M Sport package adds several of the performance-oriented features of the M240i, including the 18-inch wheels with several tire options, an aerodynamic body kit, Shadowline exterior trim, a sport suspension and an M Sport steering wheel. The Track Handling package includes 18-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, adaptive suspension and variable-ratio steering.

The comfort-oriented Luxury package offers 18-inch wheels, leather-upholstered seats and chrome exterior trim in addition to the features of the Premium package, and it cannot be ordered with the M Sport package.

Several other option packages are available on both the 230i and M240i. The Cold Weather package includes headlight washers, heated front seats and heated steering wheel. The Technology package adds a higher-resolution 8.8-inch display screen, upgraded iDrive controller with a touchpad (allowing freehand text entry), enhanced driver information display, a navigation system, BMW Apps (including Pandora and Facebook integration) and BMW Remote Services (allowing smartphone control of remote start and climate settings, among others).

The Driver Assistance package adds front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. You can also order the 2 Series with the Driver Assistance Plus package (requires the Premium and Technology packages) and acquire a suite of active safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, and forward collision mitigation with automatic braking plus pedestrian detection.

Stand-alone options for the 230i include 18-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, heated front seats, power-operated front seats and a sunroof. A limited-slip differential is available exclusively for the M240i. Optional on both models are leather upholstery, a self-parking system, wireless cellphone charging and a Wi-Fi hot spot, enhanced Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The 2017 BMW 2 Series is offered with a choice of two different engines. The 230i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The M240i gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that produces 335 hp and 369 lb-ft. BMW estimates this latter powertrain will rocket the M240i from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

Rear-wheel drive is standard for the 2 Series, and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is available as an option. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, with a six-speed manual offered as a no-cost option on rear-wheel-drive models only.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 25 mpg combined (21 city/32 highway) for the 230i coupe and 27 mpg combined (23 city/34 highway) for the 230i convertible. All-wheel-drive versions of the 230i coupe and 230i convertible come in at 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway) and 26 mpg combined (23 city/33 highway), respectively.

EPA estimates for the M240i coupe are 25 mpg combined (21 city/32 highway) with the automatic transmission and 22 mpg combined (19 city/28 highway) with the manual transmission. The M240i convertible is rated at 25 mpg combined (21 city/32 highway) with the automatic and 23 mpg combined (19 city/29 highway) with the manual. Adding all-wheel drive to either the M240i coupe or convertible gets you 25 mpg combined (21 city/31 highway).

All 2 Series models have an automatic stop-start function, which shuts off the engine when you're stopped to save fuel. Automatic-transmission cars also have a launch control feature for full-speed getaways.