Cheapest New BMW Is a Sporty, Luxurious Baby Bimmer With Problems
The new 2023 BMW lineup is polarizing; the new cars have dramatic styling that hits or misses. However, even with design refreshes and platform changes, the 2 Series continues to serve as the German automaker’s cheapest model. Enter the 2023 228i Gran Coupe, the most inexpensive new BMW, which packs four doors, a luxurious interior, and a few problems compared to its alternatives.
Did BMW stop making the 2 Series?
Instead of stopping production of the BMW 2 Series, the automaker refreshed the coupe’s design for the 2022 model year. However, unlike the earliest 2 Series coupes, the latest 2 Series lineups start with the 228i Gran Coupe, an entry-level four-door sedan.
What is the cheapest BMW 2 Series?
The cheapest BMW 2 Series in the model’s lineup is the base-model 228i Gran Coupe. The baby Bimmer is a four-door sedan with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 228-horsepower turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine.
While that doesn’t make the 228i Gran Coupe a performance benchmark like its sibling, the 2023 BMW M240i, it’s enough to motivate the Gran Coupe without difficulty. Moreover, the entry-level new Bimmer has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, power-adjustable seats, and synthetic leather interior trim as standard equipment.
Also, the new 2 Series cars feature a clean, refined cabin with a luxurious feel. TrueCar calls the 2 Series’ cabin “refined,” which is on-brand for most of BMW’s offerings. However, it’s not quite up to the interior aesthetic of a closely comparable Audi A3 Premium.
How much is a new BMW 228i?
The new BMW 228i Gran Coupe starts at about $38,795. That makes the entry-level 2 Series more expensive than a comparable Audi A3 Premium or Mercedes-Benz A220. The A3 starts at about $36,495, and the A220 at around $35,000.
What problems does the new BMW 228i have?
In addition to an interior that isn’t up to snuff beside an Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the new BMW 228i Gran Coupe is a bit challenging to love from the outside. While the proportions of the short-wheelbase 230i and its coupe application look more svelte and athletic, the Gran Coupe appears chunkier with less attractive features like headlights that appear to sport eyebrows.
However, even with a horsepower figure like 228, the new base-model Bimmer outmuscles its competition. The 2023 Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A 220 produce 201 and 188 horsepower, respectively.
What is the best BMW 2 Series to buy?
Despite the attractive starting price of the cheapest new BMW, there are much better options in the 2 Series lineup. For instance, the 240i xDrive is a planted AWD coupe with enough snappy acceleration to outrun a Toyota GR Supra 3.0.
Moreover, the 2023 BMW M2 channels the track-ready driver’s car credentials of the previous M2 generation. Of course, just like the polarizing styling of the rest of BMW’s lineup, the latest M2 features sharper lines than the previous generation and LED lighting akin to the movie Tron. Of course, every other option in the 2 Series lineup will demand a higher starting price.
What car is similar to BMW 2 Series?
If a 2 Series isn’t the right diminutive coupe or sedan for you, the Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz A220 could be a top-notch substitute. However, drivers who want a more practical stand-in might consider a hot hatchback option, like the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
