2022 BMW M240i xDrive Is Nearly Perfect

The BMW 2 Series is the latest reincarnation of a coupe dating back to simpler times. During the 1966 to 1977 reign of the 02 Series, which included the iconic 2002, modern amenities like the internet and air conditioning, now in nearly every American home, didn't exist. Even microwaves were considered a luxury. That may sound shocking for today's social media-addicted young people, but everyone needs to remember that sometimes less is more. BMW understands this. Always has. That's why its quintessential coupe has consistently remained on sale for decades. It's just acquired different names along the way.

The 02 Series evolved into the 3 Series, which grew in size for every new generation. The folks at Munich recognized this, hence the creation of the 1 Series in 2004. Today, it's called the 2 Series. Now in its second generation, the G42 2 Series was revealed last summer and, like the 3, 4, 5, and 7 Series, rides on the CLAR platform. It's not to be mistaken for the front-wheel-drive-based 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The latest 2 Series is special. It's got a 50:50 weight distribution and shares many mechanical components with its larger siblings and costs less. Enter the M240i. More powerful than the base 230i model, the AWD-only (for now) M240i is nearly perfect in so many ways. CarBuzz drove one briefly last summer and came away quite impressed. We couldn't turn down the opportunity to drive it for a week earlier this month and, as luck would have it, a serious snowstorm struck Denver, Colorado - on New Year's Eve, we must add.

This writer had plans to celebrate his 40th birthday and there was no way a winter storm was going to ruin the night. Our Mineral White Metallic over Tacora Red Vernasca leather interior (a beautiful combination) also came with a fresh set of winter tires. As the snow accumulated over the city's highways, snowplows and salt trucks were nowhere to be found, leaving drivers to figure things out for themselves. Highway pavement markings disappeared and visibility, in general, was far from ideal. And yet, the little M240i xDrive persevered. It handled the snow-covered slick roads and highways like a pro. Never once did it lose its composure.

The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox - the same drivetrain found in the larger 440i - provided more than enough get-go. Traction? Again, winter tires and standard AWD saved the day.

True story: an old GMC Yukon couldn't gain grip because its driver either didn't engage 4WD or, more than likely, the tires were slick bald. This posed a problem as the large SUV nearly slid directly into the M240i's hood when stuck at a light. There was nowhere to move due to being boxed in. The Yukon missed with only inches to spare. The standard frontal collision warning also sounded the alarm. As other cars were being abandoned on the side of the highway, the M240i cruised right on by at a slow but steady 35 mph. If there was black ice, the winter rubber and AWD grip handled it.

Everything was toasty inside thanks to the heated steering wheel and front seats, both part of the optional $2,750 Premium Package. The Adaptive LED headlights pierced through the snowy night and the powerful M Sport brakes were on standby.

Forty minutes later, we arrived at our destination for a festive New Year's celebration in one piece. We can't say the same for dozens of other vehicles. A few days prior, the M240i was driven around town on snow-free roads. Trips to the grocery store, Target, and Costco were on the agenda. The goal was to pack the little coupe with as much stuff a single guy requires to keep his new apartment sufficiently stocked.

The rear seats definitely aren't the best for adults but they're just fine for stuffing several bags. The trunk's 10 cubic feet of space (the 4 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe have 12 and 15.2 cu. ft., respectively) easily swallowed household items like a vacuum, pillows, and more bags of groceries, though not all at once. The point is, the 2 Series coupe lineup is more than capable of serving as an all-around daily driver. Not everyone needs four doors or an SUV, for that matter.

The 2 Series, including the M240i, is here to serve as a reminder that BMW's small coupe still earns its place in the lineup. You could spend thousands more on a 3 Series or even the midsize 5 Series but unless you absolutely must have a sedan, what's the point? The 2 Series is equally fun to drive, if not more so, costs less, and can be equipped with BMW's latest bells and whistles if so desired. As for the 4 Series, you can get the base 430i with AWD but it'll cost about the same as the M240i.

Our tester stickered at $57,295. The M240i begins at $48,550. The entry-level 230i with a 255-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder can be had for as little as $36,350 though AWD isn't offered at this time. For just under $50k, the M240i xDrive more than proves itself as an Ultimate Driving Machine. It did everything we asked of it and then some, making us question the 4 Series' higher price tag. Less is more wins once again.