2016 BMW 2 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 228i 2dr Cabriolet RWD, 228i 2dr Coupe RWD, M235i 2dr Cabriolet RWD, M235i 2dr Coupe RWD
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 23 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 174.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,219–3,693 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 BMW 2 Series is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 174 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,549 lb (228i 2dr Cabriolet RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (23 city / 35 highway), 14% better than the 2016 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2016
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 2 Series — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 2 Series →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228i 2dr Cabriolet RWD | 174.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.5 in | 105.9 in | 59.8 / 60.2 in | 3,549 lb | 53/47 |
| 228i 2dr Coupe RWD | 174.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.9 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 61.4 in | 3,219 lb | 53/47 |
| M235i 2dr Cabriolet RWD | 174.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.5 in | 105.9 in | 59.8 / 60.2 in | 3,693 lb | 53/47 |
| M235i 2dr Coupe RWD | 174.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.9 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 61.4 in | 3,373 lb | 53/47 |
| M235i Xdrive 2dr Coupe AWD | 174.4 in | 69.7 in | 55.9 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 61.4 in | 3,527 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228i xDrive | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 335 |
| 228i Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 338 |
| 228i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 35 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 330 |
| 228i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 33 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 340 |
| 228i xDrive Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 33 / 26 | +10% | $3,150 | 340 |
| M235i Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 24 | +1% | $3,400 | 372 |
| M235i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 24 | +1% | $3,400 | 372 |
| M235i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 23 | -3% | $3,550 | 376 |
| M235i xDrive Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 30 / 23 | -3% | $3,550 | 376 |
| M235i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -7% | $3,750 | 396 |
| M235i Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -7% | $3,750 | 410 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 BMW 2 Series.
Similar 2016 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 BMW 2 Series (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 BMW 3 Series | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Audi A3 | 39 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2016 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 BMW i8 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 Volvo S60 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW 2 Series.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2016 BMW 2 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2016 BMW 2 Series in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2016 BMW 2 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 BMW 2 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 2 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 2 Series | 31 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 2 Series | 31 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 2 Series | 30 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 2 Series | 30 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 2 Series | 29 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 2 Series | 29 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 2 Series | 28 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 2 Series | 27 | 178 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 2 Series | 28 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 2 Series | 28 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 2 Series | 28 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 2 Series | 27 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →