2023 BMW 2 Series Reviews, Pricing & Specs

BMW's sporty compact 2 Series gets a refresh for 2023, a model year which also sees the return of the M2.

Many automakers have shifted away from cars to focus on trucks and SUVs, but BMW has remained committed to smaller vehicles. Its car lineup is extensive, even in the United States, and spans several models, from compact to full-size and luxurious. The 2 Series is one of BMW’s smaller cars, but it offers a sporty driving experience, solid tech, and a comfortable interior. The automaker gave the car a refresh for 2023, bringing new styling and tech.

The 230i comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 255 horsepower. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Stepping up to the M240i brings a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six that produces 382 horsepower. The hotter M-tuned car comes with all-wheel drive. The 230i should return around 35 mpg on the highway, and the M240i should hit somewhere around 32 mpg.

The headline for 2023 will be the return of the M2, which should come with a massaged straight-six that makes somewhere north of 400 horsepower. Not only is that an outrageous number for such a small car, but it’s also likely enough to make the M2 a serious contender against rivals from around the globe. It’s also expected to be one of few cars available with a six-speed manual transmission and may be the last full-fat M car with a row-your-own-gears option.

The new 2 Series’ interior will feature a clean design with minimal controls. As with previous model years, the car will feature deep, well-bolstered sports seats that offer great support and decent space up front. The 2-er has always been a small car and has always been a bit cramped, and we expect that trend to continue into 2023. Cramming adults into the back seat is an exercise in patience for both the person being jammed in and everyone else who has to listen to them.

A large center infotainment display and a digital gauge cluster should come standard. BMW typically includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and other features like Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and USB inputs will come standard. The car may be available with performance displays and other tech-related go-fast trickery, depending on the configuration.

BMW offers plenty of standard tech in the 2023 2 Series. The car will get automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, speed-limit recognition, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alerts. Buyers can upgrade with a surround-view camera system and automatic high beams. The last 2 Series to get complete crash testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was the 2021 model. It missed out on a Top Safety Pick but earned “Good” scores in all crash test categories.