2020 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

Pros: Crisp handling with composed ride quality; BMW style and panache at a relatively accessible price point; all-weather versatility of standard 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: BMW introduces a new 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 both Gran Coupe models have standard all-wheel drive. The base 228i xDrive is 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 2020 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 standard 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.