Pros: Crisp handling with composed ride quality; BMW style and panache at a relatively accessible price point; all-weather versatility of available all-wheel drive
Cons: Cramped rear seat with small door openings; some equipment you might expect to be standard on a premium-brand vehicle is an extra-cost option
CG Says: The 2022 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe now offers a Dynamic Handling Package for the base 228i model and some standalone options have been dropped.
BMW introduced this compact sedan for 2020. The 2-Series Gran Coupe slots below the 3-Series in BMW’s passenger-car lineup in size and price, and like BMW’s other Gran “Coupes,” it’s actually a 4-door sedan with a rakish roofline.
The 2-Series Gran Coupe competes with other “extra-compact” class rivals such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class and CLA-Class, and is based on BMW’s X1 and X2 crossover SUV platform.
This chassis is front-wheel-drive based, although all-wheel drive is standard on M235i and available on 228i. The base 228i and 228ixDrive are powered by a 228-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the higher-performance M235i xDrive has a 301-hp version of that engine; both come solely with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Available safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe breaks away from BMW tradition in that it’s built on front-wheel-drive architecture rather than rear-wheel drive. That might upset some brand purists, but the Gran Coupe has the sporty moves expected of a BMW and its available all-wheel drive will be appreciated in northern climates. However, its price is only slightly less than a rear-drive 3-Series. Be sure to check out both before buying.
Class | Premium Compact Car |
Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
Passenger Count | 5 |
Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
Manufacturer | BMW |
Nation of Manufacture | Germany |
Base Prices | 228i: $36,695 228i xDrive: $38,695 M235i xDrive: $47,595 |
Base Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (228i) |
Horsepower 228 |
Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 23-24 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 33-34 |
Optional Engine turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cyinder (M235i) |
Horsepower 301 |
Std. Transmission 8-speed automatic |
Avail. Transmission NA |
EPA City Range (mpg) 23 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 32 |