2020 BMW 2-Series Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

BMW has long been associated with style and power. Since its introduction in 2014, the 2-Series has been a hit with car gurus and buyers alike. Why? It melds luxury with affordability and has a fuel-savvy engine. This year, the 2-Series sees the addition of the Gran Coupe, a four-door variant that offers a bit more space than the Coupe version. Of course, there is also the convertible version, which is probably best suited for those who live in warmer climates. Regardless of which variant of the 2020 BMW 2-Series you buy, you are going to have some fun.

What's New for 2020?

The only real change for the 2020 BMW 2-Series is the addition of the Gran Coupe. Having a four-door variant is going to attract a lot more buyers and is already getting a lot of attention from auto gurus. 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 BMW 2-Series – The Pros

1. A Chic Interior Design

The best thing about owning a 2020 BMW 2-Series is that is looks beautiful. Inside of the cabin, high-quality materials abound. As one should expect from a BMW, all of the pieces are perfectly fitted together. Nothing shakes, rattles, or rolls while the vehicle is being driven. It looks expensive, too, which is the lure of a BMW. It looks expensive without the price you will pay skyrocketing to an un-affordable amount. For an entry-level vehicle, the 2-Series looks fantastic, and this is because BMW took some design elements from their higher-end vehicles and put them into the 2-Series.

2. A Ton of Standard Features

The list of standard features for the 2-Series is huge. The base 230i trim level has luxury features like automatic wipers, keyless ignition and entry, BMW's Connected Drive telematics system, and HD Radio. Safety features like pedestrian detection and drowsy driver detection come equipped. The M420i trim adds even more features, such as a sport exhaust, rear spoilers, satellite radio, and upgraded brakes. A lot of what the M420i adds as standard is available as options on the 230i, which is nice since a lot of these features are helpful. The Premium Package is a hot choice since it gives you heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a built-in navigation system.

3. A Stellar Fuel Economy

The fuel economy on the 2020 BMW 2-Series is commendable. The engine on the 230i will nab you 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Considering that it is a powerful engine for being the base one, this is a nice showing - a good balance of power and efficiency. The M420i does well enough too, only going down to 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Compared to other vehicles in this class, these are some great numbers.

4. Excellent Ride Quality

Ride quality is something you should expect to feel cozy on a BMW, and the 2-Series gets it just right. The M Sport adaptive suspension is especially helpful in achieving superb ride comfort . Whether you are driving in Comfort or Sport mode, the ride feels smooth, as bumps are easily absorbed by the suspension and kept from being felt inside of the cabin.

5. Sporty Handling Capabilities

When it comes to handling capabilities, the 2-Series manages to be sporty without making the ride feel at all uncomfortable. This vehicle was practically made to round through sharp turns, especially the kind you find on old country roads. It is just plain fun to make those turns. Shift it into Sport mode for that stiffened suspension; this lends to even more stability control and, of course, a lot more excitement. The 2020 BMW 2-Series is nothing short of thrilling.

6. Swift Acceleration

The 2-Series can make it up to speed on the highway without any problem. Going from 0 to 60 mph takes only a few seconds, vastly outperforming its competition. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, which lends to the 2-Series' ability to get going so quickly.

7. Responsive Steering

The 2020 BMW 2-Series has a steering system that is quick to respond to the driver's commands. The amount of feedback the driver gets is pretty average, but the M wheel in the M420i has a good weight to it, so it will feel nice in your hands. While steering might feel a little bit light while going slow, it builds over time and feels just right the faster you go.

8. A Quiet Ride

Not a lot of noise seeps into the 2-Series' cabin. It is almost impossible to hear any road noise, and there is absolutely no wind noise that can be heard. The insulation is impressive, to say the very least. It allows barely any engine noise in either. The only time you will hear the engine is when you rev it. Even then, it sounds pleasant and powerful, not intrusive.

9. Plenty of Utility

There might not be a lot of space inside of the 2020 BMW 2-Series, but it is smartly structured. There are enough door pockets, seatback pockets, cupholders, and bins to stash your personal items. What's more, the cargo area has 11.8 to 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space depending on which variant you get. This is above average for the segment. You will not have to worry about cramming your groceries into a tiny trunk, and the cargo area itself seems neatly organized. The split-folding rear seats are easy to use thanks to the remote latches located inside of the trunk.

10. The Convertible

The convertible variant is just downright cool. Taking the top down is simple, and it lets a wonderful amount of air flow around the cabin. It is perfect for cruising along on a sunny day. You get everything that comes on the Coupe, but the drop-top is definitely meant for those who want to have some fun in the sun. The canvas top happens to look great with the rest of the body too.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 BMW 2-Series – The Cons

1. Cramped Rear Seats in the Coupe and Convertible

The Gran Coupe is obviously going to offer a bit more space, but rear seat room is limited in the Coupe and Convertible variants. You will not want to stick any adults back there; it is best left for kids. Knee, hip, head, shoulder, and leg room all tend to feel a bit cramped. Of course, this is a two-door entry-level luxury vehicle, so this is a fairly typical problem for this class. Still, do not plan on putting a lot of people in the 2020 BMW 2-Series.

2. Reaching the Seatbelts is Tough

The driver and front passenger will have to extend their reaches a bit in order to grasp the seatbelts. They are positioned a little further back than what they should be. This is one of the few design elements that takes away from the vehicle's sense of comfort and convenience. It is a minor gripe but a gripe nonetheless.

3. The iDrive System Takes Time to Master

When it comes to infotainment systems, they tend to be hit or miss. And the 2020 BMW 2-Series has one that is a hit... mostly. If you are not totally tech-savvy, BMW's iDrive system will take some time for you to comprehend. The interface can be somewhat confusing at first, and controls are a bit awkward. Once you get the hang of it, it is smooth sailing, but be prepared for a learning curve.

4. Exiting From the Rear

As you might reasonably expect, getting out of the 2020 BMW 2-Series can be a challenge if you are in the rear. You will have to wait for those up front to exit the vehicle and fold the seats down to let you pass through and get out. Getting out of the four-door Gran Coupe is obviously going to be a lot easier. If you plan on putting people in the rear quite often, consider getting the Gran Coupe. This is exactly why BMW added this variant to the line-up this model year.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 BMW 2-Series vs. 2020 Audi A3

Audi is a constant competitor for BMW, and the 2020 BMW 2-Series faces stiff competition from Audi's new A3. The A3 has impressive steering and handling, a sporty ride quality to rival the 2-Series, a strong turbo engine, and a classy interior design. However, the A3 has a smaller cargo area, and the all-wheel drive variant's cargo space is even tinier. The backseat is also pretty small, just like the 2-Series' Coupe and Convertible. But, since this is a four-door sedan (or convertible), you should expect a more spacious design, and the A3 just does not have it.

2020 BMW 2-Series vs. 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz puts up a tough fight every year, and the 2020 A-Class is no exception to this rule. The A-Class prices a few grand below the BMW, which should be enough to steal some attention away. It also has a great infotainment system (the MBUX), and the interior is absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, it lets in way too much wind noise for a luxury vehicle, and a few advanced safety features are finicky when on.

Conclusion

The new BMW 2-Series is a spunky little vehicle with a lot of power underneath its hood. What it lacks in space it makes up for in performance. The Gran Coupe makes for a smart addition to this year's line-up since it offers the space that some drivers will need for their passengers. Overall, it is a fun ride and is a top contender in the entry-level luxury car segment.