BMW 2 Series Coupe review - Interior, design and technology

Although its Gran Coupe and Active Tourer siblings are based on the front-wheel drive UKL platform, the 2 Series Coupe uses BMW’s CLAR underpinnings which means it can offer rear or all-wheel drive set-ups. The German manufacturer claims its Cluster Architecture helps to improve the Coupe’s agility, while bringing more accurate steering and enhanced cornering dynamics. Torsional rigidity is up by 12 per cent over the previous model, too.

The second-generation 2 Series Coupe certainly looks like a car that makes you want to get behind the wheel and go for a drive. An increase in overall width, coupled with a lower roof line help to give it a muscular, purposeful stance, while BMW has worked in the odd nostalgic touch; the circular headlight unit design is claimed to be inspired by the 2002 from the 60s and 70s, while the rear box arches are influenced by the strong, stylish lines of the original M3. 

Interior quality is very good, with the 2 Series showcasing a similar cabin to the bigger 4 Series Coupe. With just the M Sport trim available, standard kit is reasonable and includes: 18-inch alloys (or no-cost option 19-inch versions), front and rear parking sensors, heated front sports seats, climate control, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

We generally rate BMW’s iDrive OS 7 as one of the best around. Its main strength is the sheer number of input methods available; a touchscreen is great while you’re parked, but the physical clickwheel and supplementary buttons mean it’s easy to make minor adjustments on the move, too.

Factor in voice control which – smartphone-recognition software aside – is among the best on the market, and this tech is easy to get along with. There’s even optional (and gimmicky) gesture control.

As with most of the Coupé’s cabin, the infotainment is lifted almost wholesale from the 4 Series. There are two large displays; the main screen flanks a digital instrument panel. The oddly shaped dials look a little messy, though.