2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe review

Not long after the fourth-generation 1 Series hatch arrived in Australia, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe sedan now completes BMW’s rejuvenated small car lineup.

As has been the case historically, there’s little to separate the 1–2 pairing beyond body styles. You currently get two variants with two different engines, and a third middling variant is on the way.

All three are well-equipped, and while they target different buyers, the same BMW fundamentals are still present underneath. They’re loaded with advanced interior tech, and brimming with modernist design and the top-notch build quality expected from the German brand.

The challenge is therefore deciding which small sedan you should go for. You could opt for the base 218, which continues to compete with BMW’s two arch-rivals in the forms of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class – which won’t be around much longer – and Audi A3.

Then there’s the 220, which isn’t here yet but will offer the same gear as the 218 but with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four instead of a characterful turbo three-pot.

Or, if you want something a little extra that delivers hot-hatch-like performance while maintaining the same compact sedan shape, you’d go for the range-topping M235 xDrive.

It offers a higher-output 2.0-litre turbo four but swaps out the shoulder-sagging front-wheel drive layout for a well-sorted all-wheel drive system. So on paper, it seems there’s something for everyone.

Of course, price is quite the pill to swallow for the 2 Series Gran Coupe, as it’s currently up to $3000 more expensive than its hatch sibling. While it’s too early to compare, the 1 Series has so far enjoyed a 75.4 per cent year-on-year sales increase so far in 2025, meaning there’s quite a high bar for the new small sedan to clear.

BMW Australia recently invited media to Sydney to drive the new 2 Series Gran Coupe, where we had the opportunity to drive the 218 and M235 xDrive through a very soggy Royal National Park and down to Wollongong.

Because of poor weather and limited time in the cars, we’ve combined both the 218 and M235 xDrive into one review, instead of splitting them as we did for the 1 Series. For clarity, the blue car shown here is the 218, and the grey one is the M235.

Does the 2 Series Gran Coupe offer enough to justify the extra cost, or should you stick with the incredibly fun 1 Series hatch instead?

How much does the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe cost?

The 2 Series Gran Coupe ranges in price from $59,900 before on-roads for the base 218, and extends to $86,600 before on-roads for the M235 xDrive.

Much like the 1 Series, BMW’s small sedan competes with four-door versions of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3.

The A-Class sedan starts at $59,000 before on-roads for the base A200, and extends to $91,300 before on-roads for the AMG A35. Merc’s A250 is priced in the middle at $75,400 before on-roads, which means the two lineups are quite evenly matched.

Audi’s range is one man down at the moment, as the RS3 sedan – which is out of the M235’s league – cannot currently be ordered due to low supply. The A3 35 TFSI S line opens the range at $57,800 before on-roads, while the S3 quattro is currently the most expensive small Audi sedan at $81,800 before on-roads.

BMW therefore sits roughly in the middle between its compatriots on price.

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe like on the inside?

The 218 and M235 are very similar inside, but you’ll find some tastier M-flavoured treats in the latter.

The headlining feature in both is a pair of huge screens fitted to the dashboard in a single broad panel. The way the leftmost portion bends towards the driver makes the far edge easier to reach, but also looks a little more stylish.

As is the case with most screen-heavy interiors, the vast majority of the car’s functions are found in the 10.7-inch infotainment screen to the left. Like most BMWs now, this contains an array of menus to trawl through for functions including drive modes, interior appearance presets, and – unfortunately – the climate control system.

To its credit, BMW has programmed an always-on ribbon to appear at the bottom of the screen, even with wireless smartphone mirroring active.

We would, however, still prefer some physical buttons for climate control. It’s very finicky and difficult to operate when on the move, especially as bumps from the stiff suspension will probably have you pressing the wrong thing.

Air vent adjustment is obscure as well, as the 1 Series’ isolated toggle and dial has understandably carried over. It’s seen in the 5 Series too, and annoyingly replaces the tradition of grabbing a tab attached directly to the airflow slats.

Besides the steering wheel, the only other real physical controls in here are situated around the gear selector. This flat central panel has a handful of buttons, for functions like window demisters and drive modes.

All are expectedly linked directly to the infotainment screen, with each button opening one of many menus. We like that you get some physical audio controls here, like a neat little volume roller.

The gear selector takes the form of a tab that you can flick down or up to select Drive/Sport or Reverse respectively, and pressing the parking brake button will automatically put the transmission in Park.

These controls have an uncanny ability to fly under the radar. Those unfamiliar with these cars will take a moment to figure out where the engine start button is, and it could even take two people looking for a volume knob a while to find that roller.

It’s a product of BMW’s ambition to make this central portion appear as clean as possible, which works visually but can be a little unintuitive at first.

On the note of visuals, they’re the only real differences you’ll find between the interiors of the 218 and M235, at least before option packs are considered.

As standard, M235s are fitted with the same screens, sporty seats upholstered in either Alcantara/vegan leather – known as Veganza – or purely Veganza at no extra cost, and a chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The M235’s steering wheel gets a red 12 o’clock marker stitched into the top, along with large, edgy paddle shifters. There are red accents aplenty, especially when you add the M Sport Package Pro.

This pack adds racing-inspired sports seats, blue and red M stitching, and red-painted brake calipers, to name just a few extras. You can also opt for an interior colourway that swaps the standard black upholstery for red and black, or even white.

These options present primarily as ways to customise an already well-organised interior, and the same can be said for the countless options for interior ambient lighting and appearance presets.

Still, the generous range of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel means you’ll find it easy to get in and get comfortable, though the thick-rimmed M steering wheel may not be to everyone’s liking.

This tiller does at least house a sparse array of buttons, which either control infotainment or driver assistance. They’re not clearly labelled, but it doesn’t take long to figure out what each one does. We would like the right-hand scroll wheel to control volume though, instead of those buttons up top.

In general, it’s fair to say the 218’s interior is quite toned down compared to the M235. That isn’t a bad thing, and some may like the more subdued nature of the 218 without red accents and edgy lines.

The dashboard itself is also a little strange in size, as the central portion is almost bulbous and sticks out quite far towards the front passenger. Its expanse of dull blackness is broken up by subtle M-coloured stitching in both models, as well as some neat aluminium inserts that we actually quite like.

The materials used are all of exceptional quality, and you’ll find the seats are all well-bolstered and exceptionally comfortable to sit in on longer drives, even the sportier options available.

The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, meanwhile, is also quite nice on the eyes. It’s a highly configurable item in all 2 Series Gran Coupe grades, with loads of different displays to scroll through.

As standard, you’ll find a digital speedo and power meter as well as various information to display in between. Colours and designs will also change depending on the drive mode, like the way Sport mode brings more red and a tacho.

Some displays are variant-dependent though, inclduing some that are available for the M235 that borderline on budget race car. It’s all good to have, and for that reason the level of immersion you get behind the wheel is hard to match.

The head-up display helps with this, and it can really feel like you’re in some kind of a cockpit when everything’s in its ideal setting.

As for more practical items, you’ll find two cupholders up front, as well as two USB-C ports and a 12V outlet. There’s also a phone-sized cubby, which doubles as a wireless charging pad even in the 218.

The second row is where the 2 Series Gran Coupe starts to fall apart. Where the hatch version of the 1 Series offers acceptable headroom, the same cannot be said for this small sedan.

Even at roughly 173cm, my head was uncomfortably close to the ceiling. In my standard front seat position, legroom was also compromised and generally cramped. It’s not surprising, but equally impractical for anyone taller than me, although the addition of a sunroof helps make it feel a little less claustrophobic.

You do get a fold-down armrest, as well as a pass-through port to access the car’s boot. A pair of USB outlets are on the back of the centre console too, right below a couple of rear-facing air vents.

It’s wrong to expect a car marketed as a ‘Gran Coupe’ to be roomy in the back, and so we’re willing to forgive its cramped nature – even if it does just feel like a slightly enlarged two-door car.

The boot is a similar story. You get an acceptable 430 litres of space (up from 395L for the A-Class sedan and 425L in the A3 sedan) and no frills. For added space, the rear bench seatback can fold down, and there’s a secret cubby beneath the boot floor.

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

There are three turbocharged petrol engines available across the three-grade 2 Series range, comprising a 1.5-litre three-cylinder and two 2.0-litre four-cylinders.

Our test loop with BMW didn’t provide enough time behind the wheel to record a representative real-world fuel economy figure.

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How does the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe drive?

Much like the 1 Series – refined and confident, even if we weren’t able to push its limits.

The wet weather that graced us at BMW’s media launch made it unwise to drive too fast, even if we did have the dependability of all-wheel drive. It would’ve been particularly sketchy in the front-drive 218 – a configuration that doesn’t feel as pointy as we’d like in the 118 hatch.

Because of the differences between the two cars, we’ll first talk about the 218 and then expand on the differences in the M235.

Upon getting into the 218 you’re greeted with a similar presentation to what you find in its faster brother, thanks mostly to the M badges that form part of the M Sport package.

They’re subtle yet everywhere, and they’re backed up by how nimble the 218 feels around town, where speeds are low and manoeuvrability is king – as is the case with the 118.

The fact the 218 and M235 get the same dual-clutch automatic transmission means they feel very similar at low speed too, which means you’re not missing out on much if you want a 2 Series Gran Coupe to be your city car. You likely won’t notice the reduced power of the three-cylinder either, not unless you really bury the throttle.

Then there’s the ride, which is understandably quite firm in the 218. You do have the advantage of adaptive M suspension though, which is one of the few legitimate performance enhancements included with the M Sport package.

Although you could never call it plush, it’s remarkable how well it’s able to handle bumps, making it perfectly liveable on rough city streets, while still communicating crucial information to the seat of your pants during more spirited driving.

When things get more heated, the car has no issue gripping up around turns, especially with the dampers stiffened up in Sport mode. Eventually, you’ll realise the 218 isn’t quite as well sorted as the M235, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun.

It’s by no means as playful as a rear-wheel drive BMW of old, or as capable as the all-wheel drive M235, but there’s plenty of dynamic performance on offer here, even for enthusiastic drivers who may also use it as a daily runabout.

There are flaws, of course, like the way the front-end starts to push on tighter turns at high speed. It will also break traction pretty easily if you jump on the throttle to pull out of a side street, for example – very typical front-wheel drive behaviour.

It helps that the 218 doesn’t make massive power, which means it’s harder to get yourself into trouble. Accurate and talkative steering, and the car’s inherent tendency to understeer rather than oversteer, usually keep you within your own limits.

Nevertheless, BMW has still applied its long-standing reputation for making quality driver’s cars into the 2 Series Gran Coupe. As with the 1er, the 218’s three-pot is characterful and lively, while also boasting acceptable performance for an entry-level model.

Sport mode sharpens throttle response, while manual mode brings rapid-fire shifts via the steering wheel paddles. You can also engage Boost mode by holding the left paddle for 10 seconds of maximum power – ideal for making a quick overtake.

Still, all this is nothing in comparison to the M235. Even before you’re moving, it’s immediately apparent you’re dealing with something rowdier.

Its quad-exit exhaust gives the car much more presence thanks to an aggressive idle, which sounds tastefully harsh even for a four-cylinder performance BMW. Unfortunately, some of that noise is faked through the car’s speakers.

Still, and much like the M135, it’s obvious the German brand wanted to elevate this car’s character, and the louder audio is a convincing way to set it apart from the tamer 218.

As for drive modes, the default Personal mode provides a good compromise between performance and comfort, while Efficient cuts power, dulls throttle response, and silences the in-car speaker exhaust note. Braking performance is also sharp in both.

Sport mode really makes the M235 as good as it gets, with heavier steering, stiffer suspension, a louder exhaust, and incredibly sharp throttle response. It’ll take a moment for turbo boost to build from low revs, but once it’s there the car will take off like a rocket.

We weren’t able to fully exploit its cornering ability, but if the M135 is anything to go by, we’d expect to struggle to induce any serious understeer even in the tightest bends, and AWD traction to consistently get power to the ground.

The M235’s suspension setup is very similar to that of the 218, but it suits this higher-performance application much better. It’s expected here in this ‘M-lite’ sedan, whereas it can be borderline stiff in the 218.

On the tech front, BMW continues to have one of the best-sorted adaptive cruise control functions. When enabled, the car does brilliantly to keep itself centred in its lane, even on twister roads.

It also reacts quickly to changes in traffic around you, and it really feels like a system you can rely on if you just want an easy commute home. It’s all coordinated through a comprehensive array of cameras and sensors, which also contribute to the car’s ability to display augmented reality navigation notes when using BMW’s native maps app.

The passive lane-keep function also intervenes only if you legitimately stray too close to lane markings, and never in a way that is annoying or dangerous.

What is annoying is the car’s speed-limit warning, which is very sensitive to changes in speed if you’re travelling even 1km/h above the posted speed limit. It’s the same issue in both the 218 and M235, though it seemed more apparent in the former.

Thankfully, these can both be turned off by diving into the car’s settings menus.

It’s a good package altogether, but there’s something more charming about a hot hatch than there is about a hot compact sedan. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?

Don’t get us wrong, the M235 can absolutely be loads of fun, but the experience is not different enough to ignore the 1 Series. Visibility out the rear is also noticeably worse in the 2 Series, but that’s to be expected.

As for the fake exhaust noise, it’s realistic enough to convince you for a moment, but the car gets strangely silent if you jump straight from Sport to Efficient modes. So this would have been better left out and the physical exhaust given some extra noise instead.

For sedan lovers, the Gran Coupe offers one of the best driving experiences you can get without completely blowing the budget on something like an RS3, but it’s a difficult sell alongside the M135.

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

There are now three members of the 2 Series Gran Coupe range, though the 218 and 220 share the same gear – apart from their engines.

2025 BMW 218 and 220 equipment highlights:

• 18-inch M light alloy wheels (975 M Bicolour)
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Tyre repair kit
• M high-gloss Shadowline trim
• M Sport package
• Adaptive matrix LED headlights
• Adaptive M suspension
• Head-up display
• BMW Curved Display
  • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• BMW Operating System 9
• Personal eSIM, onboard 5G connectivity
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless phone charger
• Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory
• Heated front sport seats
• 40:20:40 split/fold rear seats
• M Alcantara/Veganza black upholstery with blue stitching
• M illuminated Aluminium hexacube inlays
• M headliner in Anthracite

M235 xDrive adds:

• 19-inch M light alloy wheels (977 M Bicolour)
• Quad exhaust outlets
• ‘Active’ front seats with lumbar support, massage function
• Harman/Kardon sound system
• M rear spoiler
• M Sport brakes with dark blue metallic calipers
• Panoramic sunroof
• Black roof
• Heated steering wheel

Options

There are multiple options available, including two packages.

The Enhancement Package ($6700, 218 and 220 only) adds:

• Metallic paint
• 19-inch M light alloy wheels
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic sunroof
• ‘Active’ front seats with lumbar support, massage function
• Driving Assistant Professional
• Harman Kardon sound system

The M Sport Package Pro ($3200 on 218 and 220; $2700 on M235 xDrive) adds:

• Black roof (M235 xDrive only)
• M Sport Brakes with red calipers
• M Lights Shadowline
• M seat belts
• M Sport front seats (M235 xDrive only)
• M rear spoiler in black high-gloss

Standalone options include:

• 19-inch M light alloy wheels – 976 M Bicolour

No-cost options include:

• Illuminated Aluminium graphite inlays
• Perforated Veganza upholstery in Oyster (only with Sport seats)
• Perforated Veganza upholstery in Coral Red and Black
• Perforated Veganza upholstery in Black (only with Sport seats)

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe safe?

The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. The outgoing model had a five-star ANCAP rating from 2019.

Standard equipment for the 218 is the Driving Assistant and Driving Assistant Plus suite of active safety and driver assist technology.

218 safety equipment highlights:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Safe exit warning
• Speed sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Parking Assistant Plus
  • Surround-view camera
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Semi-autonomous parking assist
  • BMW Drive Recorder

M235 xDrive adds:

• Driving Assistant Professional
  • Steering and Lane Control Assistant
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Front cross-traffic alert
  • Evasion Assistant
  • Crossroads warning

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How much does the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe cost to run?

BMW Australia backs its vehicles with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

BMW offers a five-year, 80,000km Service Inclusive Basic package for the 2 Series, which costs $2380 – the same as the 1 Series.

To see how the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Like its hatchback sibling, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is a mixed bag.

On one hand you have the 218, which offers a decent powertrain with plenty of character, plus high-quality tech and a sizeable boot for a small sedan, but all this comes at a price that is expected for a European brand of BMW’s calibre, which remains unfriendly to the average buyer.

Second-row seat room is severely compromised too, so regularly transporting multiple passengers or kids will quickly become tiresome. Even so, it delivers surprisingly strong handling characteristics, thanks to its arguably unnecessary adaptive suspension, and just enough power to keep you entertained.

Then there’s the M235, which is about as good as it gets for a ‘2’-branded BMW without stepping up to the more focussed, six-cylinder M240i xDrive coupe or the monstrous M2. You still get largely the same interior and technology benefits, which you could say diminishes its exclusivity over the 218, but the high-output four-pot just about makes up for it.

Of course, it does mean you’ll likely be paying more than $90,000 for a small sedan once on-road costs are applied, albeit one that’s a lot faster than most others.

If you’re in the market for a car like this, it would therefore appear to make more sense to go for the 1 Series instead – and I’m someone who prefers sedans over hatches.

Yes, the boot may be smaller, but rear passengers will be more comfortable and the equivalent 2 Series Gran Coupes are a few thousand dollars cheaper across the range. You won’t escape that front fascia though (even if one wears it better than the other), which has shrunk on me over the past few months.

All in all, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is a great car, and one we’re glad still exists given the decline of the sedan segment as a whole. It just doesn’t do enough differently to command a steeper price than the 1 Series, simple as that.

The 218 is a good value proposition compared to the M235, but if they were the same price as the equivalent 1 Series both of these small sedans would be much more attractive – especially given the drastic price hikes across the new range.

Interested in buying a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here

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