BMW 2 Series verdict

Look at the BMW 2 Series Coupé and what do you see? If you see a sports car, a pure driver’s car that will go head to head with the Toyota GR86, you will be disappointed. To fulfil that role, the 2 Series is too heavy, not sharp or talkative enough, and the 220i tested here is too slow.

If, on the other hand, you see an everyday coupé that offers more style than the usual saloon or hatchback, with more driving engagement than the front-wheel-drive opposition (from both the low-slung seating position and the classic rear-wheel-drive feel), then the 2 Series is extremely compelling.

It’s not perfect: we suspect both the comfort and dynamics would benefit from losing the standard M Sport suspension and wide tyres, but that slight black mark fails to detract significantly from the other BMW-typical high points like the mature powertrain, supremely ergonomic interior and excellent multimedia.

We would upgrade to the punchier 230i, or the M240i if the budget allows, but every 2 Series is a worthy torchbearer for the classic BMW coupé.