As small compacts go, the BMW 2 Series hits all the marks for a bit of fun while driving. Available in two body styles, the Coupe and the Gran Coupe, this wee BMW has all of the styles of its larger siblings.
A few of these coupes have only two doors, while others have four. However, every car here, even the entry-level BMW 2 Series, has the heart of a race car. Yet they’re less expensive.
Features of the BMW 2 Series
The BMW 2 Series can be purchased as a two or four-door coupe in two body styles and four trim levels. Yes, a four-door coupe offers the nimbleness of the two-door, with easier access to the rear seats, for your passengers.
The MSRP of the BMW 2.0 Series models ranges from $36,600 for the 228i Gran Coupe to $37,235 for the 230i Coupe. However, the M240i xDrive has a starting price of $49,500, and for that, you get an all-wheel-drive system and BMW’s famous inline six-cylinder engine.
The BMW 228i Gran Coupe is front-wheel drive. However, the 230i Coupe is not because it is a rear-wheel drifter that may embody the racer in you. Instead, both models are powered by a Twin Scroll Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower.
When powering the 228i Gran Coupe, this engine provides a zero to 60 time of 6.3 seconds. That’s almost a full second behind the 230i. However, there’s plenty of power for confident maneuvering on the freeway.
The 230i Coupe can make zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds. When equipped with an automatic transmission, fuel mileage is 26 city/ 35 highway and 29 combined miles per gallon.
However, if you opt for the true Coupe, the 230i Compact, you do not only get the rear-wheel drive, but you also get the option of BMW’s iconic inline six-cylinder. When equipped with the 2.0L 4-cylinder, the 230i has numbers similar to its four-door sibling.
Drop the 382 horsepower Twin Turbo inline-six under the hood, and add all-wheel-drive, and the M240i xDrive can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds.
Three cars that are very similar to the BMW 2 Series
There aren’t many Gran Coupes or Coupes either that can hold a candle to the handling and performance of a BMW. However, a few in this list can go head-to-head with any BMW 2.0 Series.
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo makes a beautiful car and always has, and the Giulia is no exception. Their coachwork is legendary, and so are their performance ratings. Available in four trim levels, the base MSRP of $43,350 for the Alfa Romeo Giulia (Julia).
This price is similar to the BMW 2.0 Series; however, the Alfa is considered a mid-size car, and the BMW a compact. When ordered in Quadrifoglio trim, which has a base MSRP of $ 80,030, the Alfa Romeo gets a 2.9 L V6 that produces 505 horsepower. This power can take the Giulia from zero to 60 miles per hour in a smoking 3.8 seconds.
Standard power for the Alfa Romeo is generated by a turbocharged 2.0 L inline 4-cylinder that produces 280 horsepower that is put to the road via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel mileage is 24 city/33 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon.
2. BMW Z4
I know; it’s a drop-top that is a true two-seat coupe. However, it is also a BMW that is priced similarly to the 2 Series. The MSRP of the BMW Z4 sDrive30i is $51,500. Upgrading to the all-wheel-drive BMW Z4 M40 can set you back around $65,000.
With the Z4, like the 2 Series, there are two trim levels for this body style. The Z4 sDrive30i is rear-wheel drive powered by a TwinTurbo 2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower. The zero to 60 miles per hour time for the base Z4 is 5.2 seconds. The highway fuel mileage of the Z4 is 32 miles per gallon.
The higher-priced Z4 M40i is powered by the BMW 3.0 L inline six and produces 382 horsepower, which is sent to the road through all four wheels. Zero to 60 for this model is a scant 3.9 seconds but a tenth of a second slower than the Alfa V6.
3. Mercedes C-Class Coupe
The C-Class is the four-door coupe that started the trend of giving a four-door car the title of a coupe. Coupes have classically been two-door cars, some with back seats and others without.
Four-door coupes blow that concept out of the water, and the C-Class Coupe is the base model in the Mercedes line of two and four-door coupes. With four trim levels, the MSRP of the C-Class Coupe ranges from $38,200 for the CLA 250 Coupe to $55,900 for the AMG version. Fuel mileage is 21 city and 29 highway miles per gallon.
This top model, dubbed the AMG CLA45 Coupe, has a base price of $55,900. It also has an enhanced 2.0 L inline four-cylinder that produces 302 horsepower and drops the zero to 60 track time to 4.8 seconds.
Other cars similar to the BMW 2 Series
Besides the three above, several other cars are similar to the BMW 2 Series. A few of these models have older names and legendary roots. However, what matters when buying a car is what you can afford and want?
4. Audi TT
The Audi TT still has a fresh look at almost 25 years of age. Smaller than the BMW 2 Series, the Audi TT is a true two-seat coupe. Powered by a 228-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that sends its power to all four wheels, this little Audi can run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds.
Fuel mileage for the Audi is better than other cars on this list; however, it is a small coupe. However, the Audi TT has one of the best mileage rates at an estimated fuel mileage of 23 city/ 30 highway and 26 combined miles per gallon.
Available as a hardtop or convertible, the MSRP for the Audi TT coupe is $50,500, and the convertible model MSRP is $54,600.
5. Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 is similar in size, price, and the power it puts on the road. The CT5 V is available in three trim levels, with two engine options on the CT5 Premium Luxury model. The price of this sedan ranges from $38,690 MSRP for the base CT5 Luxury to $44,390 for the Sport.
The base power for all trim levels is a Twin-scroll, turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder. It produces 237 horsepower. On all models, the CT5 sends the power to the rear wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission. The zero to 60 miles per hour time for the four-cylinder Cadillac CT5 is 6.6 seconds. Fuel mileage for the CT5 is 23 city/33 highway and 27 combined miles per gallon.
The only model with an optional engine is the Premium Luxury, which you can purchase with a 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 that produces 335 horsepower. The CT5 can make a run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds when powered by the V6.
6. Chevrolet Camaro
Another coupe that can be purchased as a convertible, the Chevrolet Camaro, is an iconic American muscle car. Standard power for the Camaro comes from a 2.0L Turbo that produces 275 horsepower and can run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds.
The second available powerplant is a 3.6L V6 that puts out 335 horsepower and zero to 60 times in 5.4 seconds. The third engine is a honking, 6.2L LT1 V8 that produces 455 horsepower that can launch this Coupe from zero to 60 miles per hour in four seconds flat. That’s not the fastest time here, but I’m not entirely done because there is also a fourth engine available for the Chevrolet Camaro.
When you take the Camaro 6.2L V8 and bolt on a supercharger, it can squeeze 650 horsepower from this big-block engine. The zero to 60 for this model is 3.7 seconds.
The Chevrolet Camaro lines range from $26,895 to $43,895 for the 2SS rear-wheel-drive Coupe with the 6.2L V8. The fuel mileage is 19 city/ 29 highway and 22 combined miles per hour when equipped with the base engine.
7. Infiniti Q60
The Infiniti Q60, another hardtop two-door, is available in six trim levels. Three are rear-wheel drive, and the others have all-wheel drive. The base MSRP of the Q60 Pure is $41,750. However, the 400 horsepower Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD has a starting MSRP of $60,200.
Power for the Q60 Pure is a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that produces 300 horsepower sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. Fuel mileage for this model is 19 city/ 28 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon.
The Infiniti Q60 can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds. Not the fastest car here, but not the slowest either.
8. Kia Stinger
Every bit a contender with every car here, the Kia Stinger is a relative newcomer to the market and has turned heads since it first hit the road. Kia has enhanced this small four-door and given it the heart of a race car. Although not marketed as a four-door sedan, it has the lines and attitude of one. The price range of the Kia
With the Stinger, two trim levels give you two options for power. The base engine of the Kia Stinger GT-Line is a 2.5L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that produces 300 horsepower. The Stinger scoots from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds with this engine. Fuel mileage with rear-wheel drive is 22 city/32 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon.
Alternately, the Kia Stinger GT2 will give you a 3.3L twin-turbo V6 that produces 368 horsepower that shaves the 0-60 time down to 4.7 seconds. Fuel mileage for this model is 18 city/ 25 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon.
The Stinger GT-Line has an MSRP of $36,590, and the more powerful GT2 has an MSRP of $51,790. Both models are rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as an option.
9. Lexus RC
The Lexus RC, like the Infiniti Q60, is a four-passenger two-door, hardtop coupe. It is available in six trim levels, four are rear-wheel drive, and the other three have all-wheel drive systems.
The base MSRP of the Lexus RC 300 is $43,895 and ranges from $52,905 when equipped with an all-wheel drive system. The Lexus RC 300 and RC 300 F Sport use a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 241 horsepower. With this powertrain, the RC 300 can run from zero to 60 miles power hour in 7.3 seconds. Fuel mileage is 31 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon.
The RC 300 AWD and RC 300 F Sport AWD are powered by a 3.5L V6 that produces 260 horsepower. It knocks a full second of the time for the RC 300 and can run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds. The fuel mileage for this model is 31 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon.
The following two trims, the RC 350 and RC 350 F Sport get their power from a 3.5L V6 but also produce 311 horsepower. Fuel mileage is 26 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon. It can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds with rear-wheel drive and six seconds when equipped with all-wheel drive.
10. Mazda Miata MX5
The Mazda MX5 is the smallest Coupe on the list, offered in three trim levels of convertible fun. The base MSRP of the Mazda Sport is $27,650 and ranges from $32,650 for the Grand Touring model. All three trims use the same power, a 181 horsepower Skyactiv 2.0L inline 4-cylinder.
The MX5 will get 26 city and 35 highway miles per gallon when equipped with a manual transmission. The zero to 60 times for all Mazda Miata’s is 5.7 seconds.
Mazda has a model of the MX5 that is more similar to the BMW 2 Series because it is a hardtop. The Mazda MX-5 Miata RF has a base MSRP of $35,050. Using the same powertrain as every other model, you have the security of a hardtop that also adds stiffness to the body of this little Coupe.
11. Toyota Supra
With an appearance that is a bit racier than the BMW Gran Coupe and the Coupe, the Toyota Supra looks to be moving when it is not. Available in four trim levels, the price of the Toyota Supra ranges from $43,540 for the Supra 2.0 to $63,280 for the A91-CF Edition.
The Supra 2.0 gets its power from a 2.0L twin-scroll single-turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with a paddle shifter. This engine’s fuel mileage for the Supra is 25 city/ 32 highway and 28 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 miles per hour time is 5.0 seconds.
The following three trims get their power from a 3.0L inline six-cylinder that produces 382 horsepower. The Supra can make it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds when powered by this engine.
12. Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon has the same four-door coupe appearance as several other cars. Available in three trim levels, the Arteon has a fastback design that gives it a sleek appearance. In addition, the top two trim levels are available with an all-wheel drive as an option.
The MSRP of the base SE R-Line is $40,750. The top trim SEL Premium R-Line has an entry MSRP of $49,550.
Power for the Arteon comes from a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 300 horsepower. This power will launch the Arteon from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.0 seconds. Fuel mileage is 24 city and 34 highway miles per hour.
13. VW Golf GTI
No, it’s not a four-door coupe, nor a two-door either. However, the VW Golf brings a fantastic fun factor to the table and one of the lowest prices, $29,880, on the list. With three trim levels, the price increases to $38,330 for the top-of-the-line Golf GTI Autobahn.
The standard turbocharged 2.0L inline four-cylinder of the Volkswagen Golf produces 241 horsepower. This power can launch this sub $30,000 compact from zero to 60 in 5.1 seconds. That’s impressive. The Golf GTI’s fuel economy is 28 city/ 36 highway and 31 combined miles per gallon.
