BMW's foundation is built largely on its history of producing sporty compact luxury coupes, and that tradition continues with the 2023 BMW 2 Series. As other vehicles in BMW's stable have gotten significantly larger over the decades, we're pleased that the 2 Series is able to deliver the pint-sized thrills of its ancestors. The 2 Series received a full redesign last year, with more muscular styling and an increase in power. Sadly, there's no longer a convertible variant or an option for a manual transmission. For 2023, the changes are minimal. You now get a striking curved glass enclosure for the digital instrument panel, but some exterior and interior trim finishes have been shelved. Those changes won't affect the 2 Series' standing in Edmunds' rankings, and that's a good thing since it's our favorite in its very limited class. The Lexus RC is one of its few two-door rivals but we also count small coupe-like sedans as worthy rivals. These include the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3 and S3. We cover all the areas where the BMW 2 Series holds an advantage over the competition, as well as a few items that could use improvement, in our Expert Rating below. We think you'll agree that the 2023 BMW 2 Series deserves its top spot.

BMW's foundation is built largely on its history of producing sporty compact luxury coupes, and that tradition continues with the 2023 BMW 2 Series. As other vehicles in BMW's stable have gotten significantly larger over the decades, we're pleased that the 2 Series is able to deliver the pint-sized thrills of its ancestors. The 2 Series received a full redesign last year, with more muscular styling and an increase in power. Sadly, there's no longer a convertible variant or an option for a manual transmission. For 2023, the changes are minimal. You now get a striking curved glass enclosure for the digital instrument panel, but some exterior and interior trim finishes have been shelved. Those changes won't affect the 2 Series' standing in Edmunds' rankings, and that's a good thing since it's our favorite in its very limited class. The Lexus RC is one of its few two-door rivals but we also count small coupe-like sedans as worthy rivals. These include the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3 and S3. We cover all the areas where the BMW 2 Series holds an advantage over the competition, as well as a few items that could use improvement, in our Expert Rating below. We think you'll agree that the 2023 BMW 2 Series deserves its top spot.

In Gran Coupe form, the 2 Series offers a lowered and lengthened roofline relative to the standard 2 Series. And it has four doors, making it a coupe only in name. With the trailing edge of its rear window pulled rearward, the Gran Coupe is smoother in profile than the standard 2 Series. Despite its longer and sleeker appearance, it actually rides on a wheelbase that's 2.8 inches shorter than the standard 2 Series coupe. Somewhat ironically, that leaves less room for additional passengers and cargo in the four-door version of the 2 Series. Its closest competitor is the Audi A3. When it comes to value, performance and efficiency, the Gran Coupe holds its own with the others in the class, exceeding them in certain areas. The Gran Coupe's front-wheel-drive-based platform yields one front-wheel-drive trim (228i) and two all-wheel-drive variants (228i xDrive and M335i xDrive). It's definitely worth a look if you're shopping for a compact sedan that has the shapelier body of some coupes. See our Expert Rating below for all the details.

The BMW 2 Series is the best pick of the brand's current lineup if you want to try to replicate the feeling from BMWs of 20 years ago. Granted, the 2 Series is longer and considerably heavier than a 3 Series coupe of the early 2000s, but snappy acceleration and responsive handling are still pretty well represented. BMW gave the 2 Series a big overhaul for 2022, adding more power, more muscular styling and an improved cabin, and stands pat for the 2024 2 Series.