2026 BMW 2 Series

The 2026 BMW 2 Series coupe is a compact two-door that places big emphasis on driving fun. It's based on a rear-wheel-drive platform and comes powered by one of two turbocharged engines: a 255-horsepower four-cylinder or a 382-horse inline-six. In addition to being entertaining to drive, the 2 Series has a high-quality, tech-rich interior that coddles those in the front seats. Rear passengers, however, have to deal with limited legroom and headroom.

Because premium sport coupes are a dying breed, the 2 Series coupe is short on direct competitors. The mid-engine Porsche 718 Cayman is sporty and luxurious, but it is more expensive and only has room for two. Another two-door, two-seat option is the Toyota GR Supra, which offers a lot of performance bang for your buck. The Ford Mustang delivers rear-wheel-drive thrills but a less premium experience, and as such it has a lower starting price. Finally, if you're open to a four-door, there's the Audi S3, which has an interior that rivals the 2 Series' and strong performance thanks to a standard 328-hp engine paired with all-wheel drive. Read on for our test team's thoughts on the 2 Series coupe in our Expert Rating.

The 2 Series coupe is one of the only small, luxurious rear-wheel-drive two-doors on the market, and it happens to be a good one. In base form, the 2 Series exhibits minimal body roll in turns. Its handling ability improves when you add the available M Sport suspension. Acceleration with the standard turbocharged four-cylinder is adequate, but we really like the low-end torque and midrange punch of the turbo-six. As long as you understand that the rear seats should be reserved for occasional use only, the interior is quite good. The dual-screen instrument panel and infotainment display setup places the driver at the center of the cockpit, while an uncluttered center stack gives the cabin an elegant, minimalistic feel. Naturally, cargo space is scarce, but the trunk offers more room than you'll find in most rivals in the 2 Series' size.