Cars & motorsport
BMW’s Compact Grandest: Test Driving the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
The fabled German automaker’s 2025 M235 xDrive Gran Coupe ticks all the performance boxes to prove that great things do come in small packages.
By Nate Chapnick
Contributor
In an age of new and ever-larger SUVs and sedans, BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupe proves that sometimes going back to your roots is the best way to rediscover your identity. And with the new M235 xDrive Gran Coupe, BMW has done just that: apt, purposeful downsizing in an era when its latest 5 Series sedan is nearly as large as its original 7 Series flagship.
The result is a car that feels like a precision instrument perfect for city commutes or weekend road trips – tightly wound, well-balanced, and engineered to measure every moment behind the wheel with chronographic accuracy.
Under the Hood: Precise and Maneuverable
At the heart of the new M235i xDrive Gran Coupe lies a reworked 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine, which still surprisingly delivers 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with BMW’s latest 7-speed dual-clutch transmission – a perfectly tuned gearbox that shifts with a lightning-fast, seamless rhythm – the result is effortless precision with minimal turbo lag. Additionally, the zip from 0 to 60 mph takes just 4.7 seconds, while fuel economy remains a remarkable 33 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city.
Adaptive M suspension comes standard, ensuring the M235 feels taut, yet forgiving – ready to carve through city streets or stretch its legs on open mountain roads. For urban drivers, the M235 is a dream: compact, zippy, and nimble enough to navigate tight streets – and tight parking spots – with ease.
Interior: Modern Craft, Timed to Perfection
Inside, the 2 Series Gran Coupe trades extravagance for luxurious efficiency, proving that less can indeed be more. The redesigned cabin centers around BMW’s modern curved display, a sweeping digital interface that feels intuitive and futuristic without losing its tactile soul.
Every control falls naturally to hand, and we love the illuminated trim on the center console and above the outboard vents. The standard heated sport seats – available in leather-free Veganza material or Alcantara with contrast stitching – strike a balance between comfort and support, while optional massaging active front seats and the 12-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system elevate the experience.
For an added touch of flair, the illuminated M badge embedded in the front seats serves as a confident nod to the car’s sporting pedigree, under BMW’s signature M enhanced performance program.
Of course, practicality hasn’t been forgotten, either, as the rear seats fold flat to create generous cargo space for weekend escapes; more proof that precision and versatility can coexist in the same cabin.
Exterior: The Unsung Hero
While the M235i’s design won’t steal the spotlight in a valet line, it carries itself with quiet authority. A $7,900 M premium over the standard BMW 228 core vehicle buys you subtle yet distinct touches: black M exterior mirror caps, an M-specific grille with glossed black horizontal slats, and, of course, the signature M performance badge.
All 2 Series models feature BMW’s unmistakable, sleek kidney-shaped grille, framed by LED accent lights, creating a distinctive lighting presentation. From the side, the roofline flows seamlessly into a taut rear deck, where M-specific quad tailpipes hint at the performance within.
And for those who appreciate detail, even the subtle “2” embossed in the distinctive, revived-heritage Hofmeister kink serves as a nod to the maker’s history. This subtle return to your roots approach can be appealing, even in an age where it seems bigger and bolder is always better.
Final Thoughts
The M235 Gran Coupe is compact and composed, built not to chase size or excess, but to celebrate proportion, precision, and purpose. Like a fine timepiece, its beauty lies not in its scale, but in the harmony of its moving parts.
The new 2 Series Gran Coupe – and especially the $49,500 M235 xDrive Gran Coupe – feels like BMW has rediscovered its past, while checking all the right contemporary boxes. For more information, check out the BMW website.