2021 BMW 2 Series

Once BMW stopped selling the 1 Series after 2013, the German automaker essentially replaced it with the 2 Series, an entry-level two-door luxury compact built on a rear-wheel drive platform. Initially launched only as a coupe, a convertible debuted for 2015, followed by numerous performance variants. BMW added the similarly-named four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe in 2020, but that model rides an entirely different platform than the two-door 2 Series models, so we cover it separately.

BMW gave the two-door models their second refresh for the 2020 model year, but the changes were minor. With a new rear-wheel drive 2 Series expected in 2022, the changes to the 2021 model are minimal and mostly confined to connectivity. Apple CarPlay, advanced real-time traffic information and BMW remote services are now standard on all trims. BMW also lowered the price of some options packages and eliminated others including, sadly, the 230i Track Handling package that enhanced the base model’s already excellent handling.

The 2 series is available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. There are two dedicated performance models, the M2 Competition, which uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that making 405 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and the limited-production M2 CS, which has similar torque but a screaming 444 horsepower. 

Both M2 models are offered with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the M240i and 230i come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Technically new for 2020, the M2 CS actually arrived at the end of that year. It features a bevy of standard carbon fiber components, including the roof, hood, front splitter, rear diffuser, interior bits, and mirror caps. It also has adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes, lightweight 19-inch wheels, Alcantara interior trim, lightweight M Sport seats, and a 444-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6 with a six-speed manual transmission. Think of it as the ultimate performance sendoff to the current 2 Series. The M2 CS is of limited availability. Just 2,200 will be built and only a few hundred are destined for the USA. For more in-depth coverage of the M2 CS, read our first drive review.