Used 2022 BMW 2 Series

The 2022 BMW 2 Series range of premium subcompact coupes and 4-door Gran Coupes is having one of those transitional years. A new generation of coupe arrives in rear-drive 230i and all-wheel-drive M240i xDrive forms. An all-wheel-drive variant of the 230i and a rear-drive M240i is set to follow. This is now the second generation of the 2 Series.

Will there be a convertible 2 Series variant? No. The first generation’s soft-top was discontinued last year.

Will there be a new M2 Coupe? There should be, but perhaps not for 2022. We’ll provide updates as soon as BMW releases more information. In the meantime, there’s the new M240i xDrive with a 382 horsepower — a lot of muscle in such a small car.

One constant this year, though, is the 2022 2 Series Gran Coupe, carrying over from 2021. This 4-door model has a practical hatchback.

Although included under the 2 Series banner, the Gran Coupe is based on a different platform that it shares with the BMW X1 subcompact crossover and Mini Countryman. It has front-wheel drive as its default configuration, unusual for a BMW.

The thing about any 2 Series is that it’s quick and nimble, seemingly made for canyon roads. A wider track at both ends (the distance between wheels on the same axle) not only makes it look more ready to rip through the curves, but its cornering talents are indeed heightened.

Performance Control, BMW terminology for torque vectoring, is also on board. It means that the outside rear wheel goes around a bend faster than its counterpart on the inside, making cornering as efficient and stable as possible.

For optimum acceleration from a standstill, the standard 8-speed automatic transmission (tuned for faster shifts than before) has a launch control mode to achieve the best traction. The 230i Coupe can also come with a Sprint feature, which is included in the optional Shadowline package. When the driver pulls up the left shift paddle for more than a second, the transmission selects the lowest possible gear at the time, while the rest of the drivetrain and chassis click into their sportiest settings.

KBB’s Andy Bornhop recently sampled a 2022 BMW 230i Coupe equipped with the Dynamic Handling Package (M Sport differential, M Sport brakes with red calipers) and the M Sport package (19-inch wheels, M Sport suspension, variable-ratio Sport steering). Here’s what he had to say:
This new 2-Series Coupe exhibited remarkably quick steering response, loads of grip, and enough power to raise our pulse.

In casual driving — in the Comfort and Eco Pro driving modes — the 8-speed automatic transmission tends to upshift in rapid succession to maximize fuel economy. However, if you put in Sport mode or simply begin driving a little harder, the transmission upshifts crisply at higher rpm, giving this compact rear-drive BMW a sporty flavor enhanced by grippy Pirelli P Zero tires. While the shift paddles behind the steering wheel add to the sporty fun, the gearbox on its own does a great job of upshifting and downshifting at the expected times.

In summary: Although the new BMW 230i Coupe is a bigger and heavier car (by roughly 150 pounds), it’s still a nimble sports coupe that relishes twisty asphalt. It also accommodates tall drivers well. But with an as-tested price of $46,570, our 230i comes awfully close in price to the 6-cylinder-powered BMW M240i xDrive Coupe, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model with a starting price of $48,550.

Rear-wheel drive is usually the enthusiast’s preference, so the front wheels only have to do the steering and the back wheels provide the propulsion. Although it may seem odd for the driver-focused M240i xDrive Coupe to have all-wheel drive, it’s a rear-biased system until there’s a specific need for the fronts to receive more power. This all happens automatically.

All-wheel drive does mean getting the grunt to the ground in a ruthlessly efficient manner, though. The new M240i xDrive can blast from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

If someone in the front-drive Gran Coupe 228i sDrive overcooks it coming into a corner, the usual thing that will happen is that the front tires start to squeal and go wide. That’s understeer.

Should the driver lift off the throttle (instinctively or deliberately), then the car will come back to its desired line. Front-drive cars are nice and predictable like that. Since the Gran Coupe has the same foundation as the Mini Countryman, there’s still some fun to be had. Kudos to BMW for baking in some entertainment.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is naturally more entertaining, courtesy of a much punchier engine that can energize the sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in a brisk 4.7 seconds.

As one of the most affordable new BMW vehicles, the 2022 2 Series still has an upscale cabin with quality materials and a well-considered layout. Space up front is fine. The seats are comfortable, bringing plenty of support for the sides and under the thighs.

The new Coupe’s longer wheelbase provides extra rear legroom compared with its predecessor. There’s now 35 inches, an advantage of about half an inch over the Gran Coupe. That’s still not a lot for an adult of average size, however, and rear headroom in both models is limited.

The Gran Coupe has a luggage area of 15.2 cubic feet and 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats enable some cargo-carrying versatility. The new Coupe also has 40/20/40 rear seats, but its trunk space is just 10 cubic feet.

The new 2 Series coupe is longer, lower and wider than before. Interestingly, BMW hasn’t attempted to make it look like a smaller 4 Series.

No radical grille treatment. Instead, the grille is low and wide, giving the 2022 2 Series coupe a mature and fairly conservative appearance. The M240i xDrive has a model-specific front bumper with larger air intakes than its 230i stablemate.

The long hood and short overhangs of both cars combine to give this latest 2 Series an unmistakably sporty aura.

The previous-generation design of the Gran Coupe still looks contemporary, with a distinct BMW-ness. The 228i has a chrome grille surround with gloss-black vents. And the M235i has extra aerodynamic additions, including a rear spoiler.

Metallic paint finishes cost extra. This year sees the Gran Coupe’s Mineral Grey and Seaside Blue being replaced by Skyscraper Grey and Phytonic Blue.

ENGINES
Although BMW makes some great 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engines, even the relatively humble 4-cylinder units deliver their goods in a pleasing manner. The ones in the 2022 2 Series seem to have a little more muscle than their stated specifications. BMW tends to do that.

LIVE COCKPIT PRO
Now available as an individual option or as part of a bigger Premium package, this feature brings 12.3-inch driver information display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for other functions. They bring a great high-tech feel to the cabin.

Buyers spending about $36k on a new 2022 230i Coupe will be pleased to learn that there’s plenty of standard equipment, such as 18-inch alloy wheels (the Gran Coupe has 17-inch alloys), LED headlights with automatic high beams, simulated leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable front sport seats, 3-zone automatic climate control (the Gran Coupe has a dual-zone system), plus self-dimming rearview and driver’s-side mirrors.

The infotainment system has an 8.8-inch touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration (wireless in the new Coupes), Wi-Fi, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, voice control, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a 10-speaker/205-watt audio system.

Driver aids include rain-sensing wipers, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors at both ends.

The new M240i xDrive Coupe has 19-inch alloy wheels, M Sport brakes/rear differential/steering wheel, keyless entry/ignition, moonroof, and ambient cabin lighting.

As well as the more powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive, the M235i Gran Coupe comes standard with M Sport brakes/suspension/steering system, a torque-sensing limited-slip differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, hands-free tailgate operation, and real leather upholstery.

BMW is extremely good at tempting buyers to make their new 2 Series more exclusive and expensive. Options for the 2022 Series range include Live Cockpit Pro, heated front seats, head-up display, heated steering wheel, gesture control, remote start, 14-speaker/464-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system (for the new Coupe models), adaptive cruise control with stop/go, using a smartphone as a digital key, and the Parking Assistance package — bringing a self-parking function for parallel and perpendicular spaces as well as a multi-view/360-degree camera system.

The 2022 230i Coupe is eligible for many of the sportier extras in the M240i xDrive, plus the moonroof and automatic high beams. The 228i Gran Coupe qualifies for 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, and leather upholstery. The M235i Gran Coupe can be ordered with even sportier M front seats.

The new-generation 230i Coupe employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower, a 7-horsepower boost over its predecessor. This goes solely to the rear wheels (RWD).

It’s a bigger jump in power for the 2022 M240i xDrive, whose new turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine produces 382 horsepower (up by 47 horses). As the xDrive suffix implies, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard here.

The 2022 228i Gran Coupe models have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 228 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is the setup in the sDrive version, all-wheel drive in the xDrive variant.

In the 2022 M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is another turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. This one generates 301 horsepower, which drives all four wheels.

All engines require premium gasoline and each one connects to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (230i Coupe)
255 horsepower @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,550-4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (M240i xDrive Coupe)
382 horsepower @ 5,800-6,500 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (228i Gran Coupe)
228 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/34 mpg (FWD), 23/33 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (M235i Gran Coupe)
301 horsepower @ 5,000-6,250 rpm
331 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg