The 2 Series Gran Coupe is a far cry from its two-door counterpart—but when taken at face value, it’s a solid sports sedan.
Photo by: BMW Peter Holderith 
By: Peter Holderith
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The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe shouldn’t work. Unlike the 4 Series Gran Coupe, which takes the 3 Series platform and makes it sleeker, the 2 Series GC is essentially a Mini Cooper underneath—It shares nothing with the 2 Series Coupe except a name.
It’s also not very new. The wheelbase is exactly the same as the outgoing model and under the hood are the same (albeit updated) turbocharged engines.
| Quick Specs | BMW M235 Gran Coupe |
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder |
| Output | 312 Horsepower / 295 Pound-Feet |
| Transmission | Seven-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.7 Seconds |
| Weight | 3,578 Pounds |
| Base Price | $50,675 |
From behind the wheel, though, it absolutely works. The Bavarian automaker’s cheapest M-branded model is a worthy entry point into the lineup with solid driving dynamics, a thoughtful interior, and attractive exterior styling. The only problem with the new 2 Series GC—especially the M235 model I drove—is that it costs almost as much as a few other truly good BMWs. The 2 Series Gran Coupe M235 starts at $50,675.
Photo by: BMW
The M235 GC has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine sending 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels, which is a decent upgrade over the outgoing 2 Series GC. That model had just 302 hp and 258 lb-ft at its most potent. The 2.0-liter engine pairs to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Unfortunately, the upgraded 2.0-liter isn’t an especially inspiring engine to rev out—despite the pleasant synthesized engine noise piped into the cabin. It’s decently quick off the line and maintains a Kansas-flat torque curve between 1,500 and 4,000 RPM, which makes it feel way faster than a base 330i, at least. But in the era of electrification, 4.7 seconds to 60 miles per hour is less impressive.
The M235’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission doesn’t feel any sharper than a regular automatic, either. It’s slightly too refined to take advantage of the fast-shifting nature of DCTs; It doesn’t smack you hard on downshifts and it never seems like it’s in a hurry. Pulling the shift paddle results in a pause, then, ah yes, here’s your gear, sir. It’s smooth and predictable, at least, but it’s no match for BMW’s excellent ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
And then there’s the elephant in the room. The straight-six-powered M240i coupe has 382 hp and comes with your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. As decent as the GC’s four-cylinder is, it can’t hold a candle to the coupe’s inline-six. Everyone knows that Bavarians make the best straight sixes in the world.
Thankfully, the GC’s driving dynamics are still classic BMW. The automaker stiffened the chassis with extra metal, which is impressive, considering this car isn’t a full-blown M model.
Adaptive suspension is likewise standard on the 2 Series GC, as is the M-sports exterior (although optional in Europe). The front brakes are huge, with the four-piston calipers wedged behind the standard 18-inch wheels. Other small hardware changes make it clear that, while this isn’t an M2, it’s absolutely built like one.
My short drive was on a smooth test track, so I can’t speak to how this car handles potholes and speed bumps—but dynamically, at least, the suspension felt great. The 2 Series GC moved confidently between lanes with barely any body roll. It felt planted. The steering fell short of telling me everything I wanted to know, but it was well-weighted and returned to center with a pleasant elasticity. The free-revving engine and predictable dual-clutch never upset the car mid-corner, either, confidently putting power down to all four wheels.
Ultimately, though, this is another area where someone might prefer the 2 Series coupe. While the M235 is supremely confident up to the limit, it’s not so playful when you get there. Even with power at all four wheels, front-drive-based cars never quite offer the same tinge of excitement, and that’s true here.
Surprisingly, though, the exterior styling works—which isn’t always given from modern BMW. The front and rear fascias look simultaneously aggressive and uncontroversial. The kidney grilles are sized appropriately. The body is intentionally creased and attractive. Overcoming any FWD-based car’s short-hooded proportions is a big challenge, but the Bavarians did a great job here.
The M235’s interior arguably shines brighter than many modern BMWs. The Gran Coupe gets unique CNC-milled trim and hand-stitched M-colored upholstery that’s impressive for the price point. Other thoughtful touches, like a little shelf to easily stow glasses in the center console, added a human element to the design, which some of the automaker’s other cars are severely lacking. It’s also quiet at highway speeds, with foam-filled tires soaking up a lot of unpleasant road noise.
Photo by: BMW
For the M235, it all comes back to the price—and the fact that the 2 Series coupe exists. You can get into a non-M 2 Series GC for $42,775. But at $50,675 to start for the M235, that is a lot of money for what is, on paper, just a trim level of the cheapest car in BMW’s lineup. And for just a few thousand dollars more, you can get a genuine two-door, inline-six, rear-drive sports car.
Don’t get me wrong, though, the M235 Gran Coupe is an extremely well-rounded car. It’s approachable, it’s quiet, it has all-wheel drive. It’s BMW’s most pedestrian platform taken to new heights. And as an entry into the automaker’s M-branded world, it’s hard to imagine BMW could do much better. It’s a shame there’s a much better vehicle with the same name.
Gallery: 2025 BMW M235 Gran Coupe First Drive Review
BMW
Competitors
- Audi S3
- BMW M240i
- Volkswagen Golf R
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2025 BMW M234 Gran Coupe
Engine Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Inline 4
Output 312 Horsepower / 295 Pound-Feet
Transmission Seven-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic
Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
Speed 0-60 MPH 4.7 Seconds
Weight 3,578 Pounds
Efficiency 23 City / 33 Highway / 27 Combined
Seating Capacity 5
Base Price $50,675
On Sale Now
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