2022 BMW 230i Review: Fast and Affordable With Little Compromise
Highlights of our 2022 BMW 230i review:
- 2022 BMW 230i ($36,350 – $48,550)
- Best Total Value Award 2022 IntelliChoice
- Pros: Plenty of power, responsive handling, lots of value
- Disadvantages: fixed seats, no manual transmission, narrow rear seat
It is the most affordable option in the lineup. However, being an entry-level option doesn’t mean the 230i lacks in quality or performance. The interior has a refined feel, and the coupe has a long list of standard features.
It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. Accordingly, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, which is exciting.
You can upgrade to the M240i xDrive Coupe for the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This model hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
We spent a week with the 230i equipped with the M Sport package, only to be impressed by its instant acceleration and smooth transmission shifts. Acceleration starts out strong but loses power toward the top of the tachometer range.
He is confident about passing others on the highway and merging into traffic. In Sport mode, the brakes are strong and predictable, but in Comfort mode, they feel a bit soft. The economic situation provided reassuring feedback.
The handling is impressive, and there’s no body to recline around tight curves. The seats have plenty of side bolsters to keep them in place. The M Sport differential manages traction very well to prevent slipping.
The steering is responsive but a little light. It can be hard to feel your tires on the road. But the 230i feels confident and secure. Even in periods of heavy rain, there was a strong sense of control.
Is the BMW 230i comfortable?
Yes, the 2022 BMW 230i is comfortable. The doors have large openings for easy access, and the roofline provides plenty of headroom. The front seats have a wide range of adjustments to suit people of all shapes and sizes.
While the front seats are supportive and well-padded, they can feel a little flat after long rides. They work comfortably to keep drivers and passengers energetic and alert, but long trips can result in pain in the rear extremities.
The suspension dampens the shocks well but is a little stiff. Tremors are felt from larger sections of rough pavement. The interior is quiet at low speeds, but wind and road noise are noticeable at highway speeds.
We were impressed by the powerful climate control system and the efficiency of the heated seats. The BMW 2 Series operates quickly and efficiently to provide the optimum temperature.
You can move the front seats forward for easy access to the rear seats. However, we’re not sure who it was designed for. Only young children can sit comfortably. Sometimes the rear seat hits the front seat assembly.
Does the BMW 2 Series have a beautiful interior?
Yes, the BMW 230i has an incredibly luxurious interior that feels powerful and elegant. Soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and lustrous embroidery provide a high-quality feel of refinement.
You can choose between brown, brown and black leather. There are silver balls that attract the eye. Plus, the metal pedals are a nice touch. It feels like a comfortable cockpit for everyday commuting with the ability to provide an exciting experience.
The design is well planned and functional. Everything you need is close at hand. An available sunroof provides fresh air and natural light. Plus, the windshield is large with plenty of visibility.
It may be beneficial for short drivers if the seat adjustments are increased slightly to provide a greater view of the cover. Rear view is limited, but large rev mirrors and surround-view camera systems make up for this difference.
How is the technology in the BMW 2 Series?
The BMW 230i Coupe 2022 is well-equipped with modern technologies. An 8.8-inch touchscreen comes standard, but you can upgrade to a 10.3-inch unit. The system may be more intuitive, but it is relatively easy to learn.
It provides attractive and vibrant graphics without any lag. The steering wheel controls are responsive, and the voice recognition system is straightforward. There are many applications for customization.
With the M Sport package you get a lap timer, but we couldn’t use it. The digital instrument cluster provides important driver information, and you can see graphs that display your fuel consumption.
The head-up display can be customized to display various stats, including a sports meter. You can easily adjust its position and colors. The wireless phone charging pad is in a convenient place. In addition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
A 10-speaker audio system is standard, but you can upgrade to Harmon Kardon’s 14-speaker 464-watt setup for a more immersive experience. The excellent sound quality is absolutely fantastic, especially when it comes to covering road noise.
Does the BMW 230i have enough storage space?
The BMW 230i 2022 has 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the luggage compartment. The rear seats fold down to make room for taller items. You can probably squeeze three small bags into the luggage compartment.
Then you can stack some duffle bags in the back seat. There is not enough space to store small items, but there is a storage tray in front of the center console. The center console is a little shallow, and the glove box is narrow.
How safe is the BMW 230i 2022?
The 2022 BMW is the Insurance Institute of Highway’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick, which means it’s highly protective. It has a “good” rating in almost all simulated crash tests. This is the highest possible score.
While the chassis, safety cage and roof strength all have high ratings, the BMW 230i scored two “acceptable” scores for the side crash test sections. This is like receiving a B instead of an A.
The Forward Collision Prevention System received a Superior rating and avoided collisions at 12 and 25 mph. During the 37 mph crash test, the speed was lowered by 33 mph, and a warning was issued 1.9 seconds earlier.
The child seat anchors are an excellent grade. The ropes are not too deep into the seat and are easy to install.
Standard security features include:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Help keep track
- Blind Spot Warning
- Front and rear parking sensors
Lane Keeping Assist provides a gentle vibration when you’re on the line. It is subtle and not very intrusive. However, Forward Collision Warning sounded a bit sensitive, with loud beeps if you got too close to the vehicle in front of you.
How reliable is the BMW 230i?
Ranking 83 out of 100 from JD Power, which is above average. A best score is between 91 and 100, while a score from 81 to 90 is the best, and 70 to 80 is the average score.
With proper care and maintenance, you can expect a BMW 230i to last 200,000 to 250,000. But some models make it past 300,000 miles. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, you can expect 13 to 17 years of service down the road.
It costs about $922 to maintain a BMW 2 Series annually. It is slightly more expensive than its competitors. The average annual maintenance cost for a coupe is approximately $652.
MotorBiscuit editors give the 222 BMW 230i a score of 8.3 out of 100
The editors at MotroBiscuit give the 2022 BMW 230i Coupe an overall score of 8.3 out of 100. While the BMW 2 Series is irresistibly fast with responsive handling, it could have a more direct steering.
We found the front seats to be comfortable and active, but they can feel stiff after long flights. Also, the back seat is too narrow to accommodate adult passengers. The BMW 230i has a relatively smooth ride and strong suspension with noticeable road noise.
An affordable BMW 230i that doesn’t skimp on value with a well-crafted interior and tons of standard technology. We can’t wait to see how the 230i M Sport compares to the BMW M240i xDrive Coupe.
