BMW 2 Series 220i 2014 Review

Confused? I know I am. BMW has added a 2 and 4 Series in short succession. To explain the 2 Series is the new name for the 1 Series coupe while the 4 Series refers to the 3 Series coupe. 

The 2 Series now comes in three flavours – 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 2.0-litre turbo diesel and the fire-breathing 3.0-litre M Sport model.
 
PRICE / FEATURES

The interior is upholstered in Sensatec faux leather, with sports front seats and the car rides on 17 inch alloys with 225/45 series run-flat tyres instead of a spare. 

The 6-speaker audio systems retains a CD player and supports Bluetooth phone and audio streaming. Both the petrol and diesel 220s are provisioned identically with a long list of options from which to choose (they don't sell many standard cars).

Navigation is standard with a small but crisp 6.5 inch display screen, but it does not provide school zone or speed camera warnings, nor provide a reminder of the current speed limit.

You get to choose from the Sport or Modern line trim packages at no extra cost, each with its own character – the first features piano black while the second employs matt aluminium trim highlights.

Standard kit includes auto lights and wipers and an rear view mirror that dims automatically too.
 
TECHNOLOGY

The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine produces 135kW of power and 270Nm of torque, the latter from an ultra-low 1250 revs. It is paired with an 8-speed auto complete with paddle shifts and auto stop-start that shuts off the engine when the car is idle to save fuel (all get launch control too). 

A six-speed manual is a no cost option. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.0 litres/100km (but we were getting 9.9 after about 400km).
 
SAFETY

Gets a full suite of safety systems with six airbags, dynamic stability control, dynamic braking lights and an active bonnet to improve pedestrian protection. Rear parking sensors are fitted but not a reverse camera which is difficult to understand in a luxury vehicle – it's a $1300 option.

DRIVING

It's remarkably smooth and throttle response is sharp, with the dash from 0-100km/h taking a brisk 7.0 seconds.

Switching to sport mode elicits a sharper response but we found the suspension a little bouncy on back roads. The drive experience is sporty but it does not hit hard enough to satisfy more demanding drivers. That role is of course filled by the M model.

It's longer and wider than before and sits a fraction lower, with a 30mm longer wheelbase, and the wheels are set slightly wider apart at the front and rear. The result is an increase in interior space and 20 litres of extra luggage space, but rear legroom is rather limited – think of it as more of a 2+2 seating arrangement.