2021 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 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 2021 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe adds a less expensive front-wheel drive 228i model. Previously, all 2-Series Gran Coupes had been all-wheel drive. Android Auto connectivity is now available. Newly standard are satellite radio, navigation, and an upgraded control system.

BMW introduced this compact sedan last year. 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.