2014 BMW 2-Series vs. Its Competition

Nelson Ireson Senior Editor

The 2014 BMW 2-Series is rather unusual among the subcompact luxury coupe class, as it packs punchy turbo engines, but offers less focus on sporting performance than some.

Compared to the new ranks of small luxury sedans, its tight back seat and two-door layout is less useful, but perhaps more stylish.

The all-new 2015 Audi A3 promises to be one of the more practical bets in pint-sized premium cars, with a four-door layout and Audi's typical attention to detail, though it's a bit less sporty until you upgrade to the S3 version.

Mercedes-Benz's CLA Class likewise offers four doors for its four seats, but the four-door-coupe profile limits the size and utility of the second row.

In AMG form, the CLA is even sportier than the M235i, and comes with standard all-wheel drive--and it's priced just about the same.

Porsche's Cayman is a premium two-door, but it's a two-seater only, and in an entirely different class of performance--and price.

The Lexus IS 250C may be the 2-Series' closest natural competitor though it tends more toward luxury than performance.

The Lexus is beginning to show its age, too, but convertible lovers will enjoy the folding hardtop, regardless.