2023 BMW M2 Review and Test Drive
On the cusp of the EV era, the BMW M2 seduces driving enthusiasts with a gas-powered love language.
Thom Blackett
Review QuickTakes:
It's a fascinating time to be an automotive enthusiast. On one hand, there's a burgeoning field of electric vehicles (EVs) capable of delivering blistering acceleration and admirable handling aided by battery placement that creates a lower center of gravity than a traditional gas-powered model. On the other hand, plenty of people still prefer the visceral experience of an internal-combustion engine and the snarly growl of an aggressive exhaust system.
For those who count themselves among the latter, the writing is on the wall: Enjoy your fossil fuel-burning cars, clutch pedals, short-throw shifters, and the sounds of spooled turbochargers and whining superchargers while you can. Better yet, you might want to get yourself a 2023 BMW M2.
Thom Blackett
After a one-year hiatus, this four-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe returns as what amounts to a downsized BMW M4. Compared with the previous M2, the redesigned 2023 model has a longer wheelbase and body, features broader front and rear track widths, and unleashes gobs of horsepower thanks to a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine. And, yes, BMW offers it with a standard six-speed manual gearbox.
For driving purists, the new BMW M2 is like a ray of sunshine poking through a sky of dark, ominous clouds.
Available only as a coupe in a single trim level, the 2023 BMW M2 starts in the mid-$60,000s. For this M2 review, I used a variety of local New England roads to test drive a model sprayed in Brooklyn Grey Metallic paint, which rang in at $76,095, including the $995 destination charge. BMW provided the test vehicle for this M2 review.
Thom Blackett
2023 BMW M2: The Design
Initial impressions of the 2023 BMW M2's styling are mixed, with some negative comments about blocky proportions and the substantial air inlets integral to the front bumper. However, the M2 also has seductively flared fenders and a deliciously sculpted hood. Considering the current lineup includes the iX and 7 Series, both with mugs that may scare small children, the M2 could've turned out worse.
The interior aesthetic is busier but far from overdone. There's contrast stitching, a splash of color on the door panels, soft-touch materials, and low-gloss plastics. Soft leather covers the padded center armrest and thick tilt and telescopic steering wheel, while the front seats wear a combination of leather and suede upholstery. I expect a BMW cabin to showcase quality, and the M2 does not disappoint.
Thom Blackett
Power-adjustable sport bucket seats are standard equipment in the 2023 M2, but the optional Carbon Package removes them. In their place are what you could reasonably categorize as racing seats, complete with a hard-shell frame, integrated headrest (sitting atop a cool illuminated M2 badge), and massive upper and lower side bolsters. I was surprised to find multiple power adjustments. Unfortunately, adjustable lumbar support wasn't among them.
With the tall, fixed lower bolsters and carbon-fiber panel incorporated into the lower cushion, planting your backside on one of these seats requires some contortion. That said, I suffered no shortage of comfort or support while driving the M2. And the seats are heated, which is always a plus when you spend a spring day at elevation in New England.
By comparison, the 2023 BMW M2's rear seats appear hospitable, but their looks are deceiving. With the pull of a strap, the front seat tilts and slides forward to provide the best possible access, but climb back there, and you'll find a shortage of legroom, made all the worse by the hard front seatbacks. Like many other coupes, the M2's back seat best suits kids, small adults, or perhaps a dog. The trunk measures 13.8 cubic feet, and if you need extra storage space, you can lower the rear seatbacks.
Thom Blackett
2023 BMW M2: The Technology
The expansive, dual-screen BMW Curved Display dominating the car's dashboard takes center stage. It incorporates a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system behind a single curved piece of glass. Fans of the previous M2's traditional analog gauges may be disappointed.
The infotainment display is exceptionally crisp, and the user experience mirrors modern smartphones. Tap or swipe in any direction to scroll through the icons to make a selection. Alternatively, you can use the iDrive control dial on the center console to perform the same tasks, or you can keep both hands on the wheel and employ the impressive conversational voice-recognition system.
Thom Blackett
The voice recognition technology is quite impressive. You wake the system by speaking a "Hey, BMW" voice prompt, and there's no need to memorize a strict set of formal commands. Instead, you can use natural, conversational language to obtain directions, select a radio station, adjust cabin temperature, or turn on your heated seat. Establish Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connections, and you can also use voice commands to initiate phone calls and more. My test car also came with the optional head-up display that provides a wealth of information.
If there's a downside to the M2's infotainment setup, it would be the inclusion of the primary climate-control functions within the display. You can easily adjust the dual-zone temperature settings, but you'll need to tap, scroll, or issue voice commands to select a different mode or adjust the fan speed. This process soon becomes ingrained, but this is one example of using technology to fix something that wasn't broken.
The M2's advanced driving-assistance systems include features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. During my test drive, the BMW M2's safety features worked behind the scenes without any overtly apparent corrections.
Thom Blackett
2023 BMW M2: The Drive
BMW doesn't slap an M badge on any old model, including this version of the 2 Series. To earn its stripes, the 2023 BMW M2 rolls off the assembly line with a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that produces 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.
Premium fuel is required, but that's a minor penalty for a car that, according to BMW, will hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds when equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission (4.1 seconds with the standard six-speed manual, but the automatic is a no-cost option). All of the M2's boosted output goes to the rear wheels, managed by a limited-slip differential capable of distributing up to 100% of the engine's power to either wheel.
Some may point to the M2's 3,867-pound curb weight as a hindrance to performance, but planting the pedal from a dead stop quickly quiets those claims. Power builds quickly and continuously, and the rush of speed I enjoyed was accentuated by tapping a button on the console to let the exhaust bark a little louder. Despite liberal use of the accelerator pedal, I averaged 19.6 mpg over the course of a week, thanks in part to a good bit of highway travel.
Thom Blackett
For the spirited part of my test drive through New Hampshire's mountains, I selected the transmission's most aggressive setting, allowing me to wring the most out of the engine before a fast, automatic upshift. I also opted for the sportiest adaptive suspension, steering, and brake settings.
In high-speed sweeping sections along my route, the M2 felt securely planted and gave me confidence that grip was available as far as I dared push things. Little bumps in the pavement didn't diminish this. Those positives were somewhat countered by the expectedly stiff ride. Also, BMW engineers tuned the steering with enough heft, but it wasn't as communicative as I would've liked. Something failed to translate between the road surface and my hands.
Several areas on my test loop consisted of long straightaways followed by 90- or 180-degree corners. These were excellent opportunities to test the massive 15.0-inch front and 14.6-inch rear rotors and M-compound pads. Even after hours of hammering the M2 up and down these roads, the brakes reliably hauled me down quickly and without any hint of fade or chatter. And unlike the steering, the pedal effectively communicated how much stopping power I had.
Thom Blackett
Is the 2023 BMW M2 a Good Car?
Within the 2 Series lineup, you could save a big chunk of change (more than $13,000) by choosing the M240i Coupe instead of the M2. With a 382-hp turbocharged inline-six, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD), and the ability to accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds, according to BMW, the M240i isn't far off the M2's pace.
Alternatively, you could upgrade to the larger BMW M4, available in two body styles with rear-wheel drive or AWD. Nearly all versions of the M4 perform better than the M2. However, the M4 will also set you back an extra $15,000 or so, at a minimum.
While the 2023 BMW M2 is not the least expensive option out of this small sample, it's still competitively priced, packs much more power than rivals from Audi and Mercedes, expresses its high performance relatively subtly, and delivers an exhilarating and engaging driving experience. That sure sounds like the makings of a good car to me.
Thom Blackett
