2016 BMW 2-Series vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The BMW 2-Series pretty much has its own market segment; and there's no other rival on the market that quite offers its combination of traditional coupe styling, a lean, focused driving experience, and a focus on the road (and track).

There's a certain purity to it that some might see as missing from the new class of compact luxury sporty cars otherwise.

While the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (and its high-performance CLA45 AMG variant) offer a more powerful high-performance option—with a dual-clutch transmission—the rear-drive dynamics of the 2-Series may better suit the enthusiast.

The Audi A3 and higher-performance S3 promise similar measures of sport and refinement as the 2-Series, but wrapped in a more techno-modern style that may appeal to some buyers.

Both the CLA-Class and A3 are sedans, however, so the coupe buyer may not care for the extra pair of doors.

The Lexus RC Coupe is also an alternative, and with the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the lineup this year, in the RC 200t, it should be more competitive in terms of fuel-efficiency.

The RC feels (and is) quite a bit bigger and heavier than the 2-Series.

One other solid rival is the Cadillac ATS Coupe, which beats the 2-Series in style and presence, as well as general refinement—although like the RC, it doesn't feel as light and lean as the 2er.

And for those who want a track toy that's one step edgier—or a car that performs as well as te M235i but has looks to match—consider the Porsche Cayman, which is one of our longtime top sports-car picks at any price.