BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Review 2023

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is something of a guilty pleasure, being a car that doesn’t really need to exist. A four-door coupe version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback seems like an indulgence, but it does deliver more space inside than the regular 2 Series Coupe model.

It certainly holds appeal if you prefer the idea of a coupe to a hatchback, and are less concerned about the practical limitations of a traditional saloon boot. The Gran Coupe name is likely to be attractive, having been used before by BMW on upmarket models such as the 8 Series.

Add the lure of the BMW badge, a premium well-made interior and a generous level of equipment, and the 2 Series Gran Coupe does deliver plenty of appeal.

The 218i and 220i petrol versions of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe are the most common versions available on the used market. Both of these offer a reasonable blend of performance, but without eye-watering running costs. The diesel engines are harder to find, but will suit those covering larger annual mileages. At the other end of the scale, the M235i xDrive offers serious speed, but comes with the biggest running costs.

When it comes to trim levels, M Sport is the dominant option on the used market. In fact, this is the only version BMW now offers for the 2 Series Gran Coupe if you buy new – other than the performance M235i xDrive.

M Sport offers a decent combination of sporty looks with usability, and comes with a generous level of standard equipment. Unless price really is an issue, it’s worth giving the entry-level Sport version a miss.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is something of a niche choice, meaning it only has limited rivals. A BMW 1 Series is the obvious alternative, being very much the same car in hatchback form.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the closest competitor, being also a compact premium four-door coupe, and there is also a Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon. The latter is arguably less stylish, though.

A Volkswagen Arteon or Audi A5 Sportback will offer similar four-door coupe looks, but both are notably larger in size.

Where the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe really justifies its premium badge is the quality of its interior. It feels particularly well made, with plenty of soft-touch materials and reassuringly solid switchgear.

Cars in M Sport specification come with the fancy-sounding ‘Illuminated Boston’ interior trim, which is combined with standard ambient lighting. The latter offers six different selectable colours, adding to the premium effect inside the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

All models come with a leather sports steering wheel, although M Sport models gain a chunkier version. Sport spec means seats in a cloth/Sensatec combination, while M Sport versions use a black Trigon Cloth/Sensatec upholstery finish.

Full leather upholstery is relegated to the options list, even for the range-topping M235i xDrive. There are a number of different leather colours to choose from, though.

When it comes to infotainment, BMW has spent two decades refining the iDrive system used across its range. The result is a system that is now very user-friendly to operate, without many of the frustrations found in rival setups.

Earlier Sport-specification versions of the 2 Series Gran Coupe came with an 8.8-inch central multimedia display, which was combined with conventional analogue dials. This does look a little old-fashioned, but Sport versions are relatively rare in the used marketplace.

Instead, most 2 Series Gran Coupes are M Sport trim, with BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional system as standard. This means a larger 10.25-inch central touchscreen, along with an impressive 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. Both look reassuringly high quality and are quick to react to inputs.

Regardless of the model of 2 Series Gran Coupe you choose, a rotary iDrive controller is found on the centre console to operate the infotainment system. Although the central display can be used as a touchscreen, the iDrive controller is more intuitive, and can be operated without having to take your eyes off the road. Unlike in some modern cars, there are proper physical controls for the climate control as well.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is included as standard, but wireless smartphone charging remains on the options list. USB connections, Bluetooth and a DAB radio are all fitted across the range.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe measures 4526mm in length, 1800mm in width and stands 1420mm tall. This places it between the larger BMW 3 Series saloon and smaller 1 Series hatchback in terms of size.

Although one of the smaller models in the BMW range, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe still manages to feel relatively spacious on the inside – even if the coupe styling does impact on practicality.

Room in the front of the 2 Series Gran Coupe is more than sufficient, and there will be no issues for tall drivers or the front-seat passenger. The seats come with plenty of adjustability, and there are lots of useful storage cubbies and door bins.

In the back, the low coupe roofline does eat into the headroom on offer. Adults more than six-feet tall will find their heads brushing against the roof, but they will at least have plenty of legroom. Smaller adults and children will have no complaints, and three people can be wedged across the rear bench for shorter journeys.

Compared to the BMW 1 Series, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has a larger boot capacity, at 430 litres. Although this sounds good on paper, the saloon opening means that this space is less useful than a hatchback model. The rear bench does split and fold 40:20:40 as standard, helping to transport larger items.

The engine range for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is similar to that found in the 1 Series hatchback. Like the 1 Series, most versions are front-wheel-drive only.

A 218i 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 136PS kicks off the range, and is offered with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a dual-clutch automatic. The latter shifts quickly, and results in a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds, compared to 9.2 seconds for the manual.

Next up in the range is the 220i four-cylinder turbo petrol, with a more considerable 178PS. Offered solely with a DTC Sport automatic gearbox, it feels notably quicker, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds.

At the top of the tree is the performance-oriented M235i xDrive. This uses an upgraded turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, and is the only 2 Series Gran Coupe sold with xDrive all-wheel drive. With 306PS, it sprints from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, and uses an automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

BMW previously offered diesel engine options for the 2 Series Gran Coupe, but these have now been removed from the price list. The diesel range began with the 150PS four-cylinder 218d, alongside the 190PS 220d. Both feel lively on the open road, aided by plenty of low-down diesel torque.

Unlike the rival Mercedes-Benz CLA, there is no plug-in hybrid version of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Given its potential appeal to fleet drivers, this seems like something of an oversight.

When it comes to refinement, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe maintains the image created by the badge on its bonnet. The petrol engines are smooth, and even the diesels are no louder than those found in rivals.

There can be a little bit of noise from around the side mirrors, but the experience inside the 2 Series Gran Coupe is generally one of calm refinement. Choosing bigger alloy wheels will, naturally, create extra tyre noise.

With the sportiest suspension setup and the largest wheels, the sporty M235i xDrive will generate the most noise on the road. It still sounds relatively restrained, though, and you can enjoy the impressive noise of the engine.

There is some fake engine sound generated by the audio system in the M235i xDrive, but it doesn’t seem jarring or out of place.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes equipped with all the latest safety technology, meaning it should be more than capable of looking after those onboard.

When tested by the Euro NCAP safety organisation, the 2 Series Gran Coupe received the maximum five-star rating. Its score for adult occupant protection was an impressive 94 percent. Child occupants are also well protected, with an 87 percent score.

BMW fits the 2 Series Gran Coupe with six airbags, active lane keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking. The latter includes the ability to detect both pedestrians and cyclists.

Optional extras include a Driving Assistance Package with blind-spot monitoring, plus the ability to upgrade the cruise control to an active system with a speed-limiter function.

When it comes to reliability, BMW found itself in the middle of the pack in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index. A score of 89.63 percent placed the German brand above both its arch-rivals: Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

The majority of used BMW 2 Series Gran Coupes will still be covered by the factory warranty, with no major issues reported by owners so far.

Having an upmarket badge means the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will be slightly more expensive to insure than a mainstream option. Keep things sensible, though, and insurance costs should not be ruinous.

A 218i petrol model, in either Sport or M Sport trim, kicks things off in group 17 (out of 50 groups in total). Adding more tech increases this rating to group 20, while the more powerful 220i starts at group 24.

Predictably, the more powerful M235i xDrive will be the most expensive version of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to insure. It’s found in group 30, while models with the optional Plus Pack are in group 36.

With the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe being launched in 2020, all versions are subject to the latest VED (road tax) rules. Most will be subject to a flat rate of £180 per year, once beyond the first year of ownership.

Be careful when looking at either the M235i xDrive, or fully-loaded versions of the 220i or 220d M Sport with the optional Pro Pack.

The list price on these cars when new could be more than £40,000, meaning there is an extra surcharge levied between years two and six of the car’s life. This could mean paying £570 a year, instead of just £180.

When it comes to trim levels, BMW has kept things very simple for the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Forget having endless models to pick from; other than the performance M235i xDrive, M Sport is the only trim level available now.

All BMW 2 Series Gran Coupes come with 18-inch alloy wheels, an M Sport aerodynamic bodykit, LED headlights, LED tail lights and electrically folding side mirrors. The exterior also benefits from high-gloss black trim for the window surrounds, along with Dark Shadow inserts for the rear bumper.

On the inside, the standard sports seats are covered in a black cloth/Sensatec combination, with an M Sport leather steering wheel and ‘Illuminated Boston’ interior trim. A black headlining adds a sporty touch, while the back seats split and fold 40:20:40, and feature a through-loading system.

Standard equipment includes single-zone climate control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a parking assist system. A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel is combined with a 10.25-inch central multimedia touchscreen, with DAB radio and USB smartphone charging included. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is fitted as standard.

Moving up to the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe M235i xDrive adds a unique bodykit, different 18-inch alloy wheels and a boot spoiler. There is also a dual-exit exhaust system, along with M Sport brakes with blue-painted callipers.

The steering is also tuned to M Sport specification, giving a more direct feel, and a limited-slip differential is fitted. M Sport front seats feature integrated headrests and are heated. Finally, the climate control gets upgraded to a dual-zone setup.

BMW previously offered the 2 Series Gran Coupe in entry-level Sport trim, with smaller 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth sports seats and front and rear parking sensors.