2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Review

　　

2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Increasingly sophisticated safety systems and expanding creature comforts make for passenger cars that grow faster than well-funded tech startups. And few automakers know the sweet-spot between sizes like BMW. The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a textbook case, with tidy dimensions that echo the design of classic 3 Series sedans from the 1980s and 1990s.

　　Along with its sporty and nimble size, the 2 Series Gran Coupe (the name indicates its fastback-style sloping roof) offers an attractive entry-level luxury price. But that doesn't make it a budget Bimmer. While it's based on a Mini Cooper platform to save costs, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers the performance, technology and refinement we've come to expect of the brand. It's also well suited to compete in a growing class of entry-luxury models, including the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 and Cadillac CT4 also solid choices. Read our Expert Rating to get our team's take on this sporty new luxury compact.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the 2 Series Gran Coupe drive? The four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe isn't as responsive or athletic as the regular 2 Series coupe. But compared to other entry-level luxury sedans, it's relatively agile. The firm suspension keeps body roll in check, and the light, precise steering is quick enough to make hitting an apex or maneuvering through a tight parking lot a breeze.

　　The gas pedal can be slow to respond from a dead stop, but once you get moving, acceleration is brisk and responsive. Our 228i test car needed 6.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is a tick quicker than an entry-level Mercedes A-Class. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well tuned and smoother than the dual-clutch automatics found in some competitors.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 2 Series Gran Coupe? The ride is a little stiff with the M Sport suspension and 18-inch wheels. Even so, you should be able to put in a full day's drive behind the wheel without much of an issue. The standard sport seats are soft and supportive, and the side bolsters hold you in place without being overly tight. The headrest is angled a bit too far forward for taller drivers.

　　The climate control works well. The controls are easy to see and use thanks to dedicated buttons just beneath the infotainment screen. The dual-zone system kept the car even and cool on a bright sunny day, and the fans were quiet enough. There is a mild amount of wind and road noise at highway speeds, but you likely won't have to raise your voice to speak with passengers.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? For the most part, the 2 Series Gran Coupe falls in line with other recent BMWs. The dash is angled just slightly toward the driver, and most of the controls are well placed and easy to read. There are dedicated buttons for most of the controls including those for adjusting the climate or switching to navigation or the radio. A few are out of sight, but you should be fine with a little muscle memory.

　　The cabin is relatively roomy, at least for those in the front seats. The doors open wide, making it easy to get in and out. Rear passengers won't be as comfortable. The sloping roofline severely reduces headroom. Visibility is mostly fine, but the small rear window makes it a bit difficult to see what's behind you.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? BMW offers all of its latest and greatest driver aids, including adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. Most of the aids are optional, but that's the case with the competition too.

　　In practice, we were left a bit disappointed. BMW's iDrive infotainment system is relatively easy to interact with and offers both voice and gesture controls in addition to standard buttons and a touchscreen. It works well, though not as well as the system on the latest Mercedes-Benz models. Device integration is good thanks to four USB ports and an easy-to-sync Bluetooth system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a generously sized trunk and useful interior storage. The trunk opening is a bit shallow, but the liftover is low and there's more space (15.1 cubic feet) than in most competitors. The wheelwells and trunklid hinges don't intrude much. The rear seats are split 40/20/40 and fold flat for loading longer items. Interior storage is better than most, with big door pockets and a nice spot to put your phone just in front of the cupholders.

　　Getting a car seat in and out might be a pain given the car's low roofline, but the car seat anchors are easy to access under plastic panels.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive Gran Coupe 228i (which is what we tested) will get 27 mpg combined (23 city/33 highway). That's 1 mpg lower than the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz A 220 in all categories and better than the Audi A3. Our test car returned 30.5 mpg on our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, which is a respectable figure and an indication the EPA figures are realistic.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the 2 Series Gran Coupe a good value? The 2 Series Gran Coupe falls right in line with competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz A 220 when it comes to cost and value. Its base price is one of the highest in the class, but it comes with standard features including all-wheel drive and a basic suite of driver aids including blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning. The price gap narrows when a rival is loaded with the same equipment.

　　The warranty and ownership experience are even better. BMW offers four years/50,000 miles for both basic and powertrain warranties. In addition, the 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, better than nearly all rivals.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The 2 Series Gran Coupe isn't the most fun or exciting BMW sedan we've ever driven, but it's by no means boring. On a winding road, the car proved competent and relatively capable thanks to a smooth powertrain and decent driver feedback. We weren't itching to get back behind the wheel, but we weren't ready to jump out after a day of driving either.

　　It shines on looks too. The design may not be for everyone, but it's striking and it falls in line with the latest crop of BMWs. There are a lot of great paint options for the 2 Series Gran Coupe too. It's one of the few sedans we've driven in recent years that gets attention at stoplights.

　　

Which 2 Series Gran Coupe does zzdcar recommend?

The M235i is tempting. Great performance and stocked with features. And it's got M in the name, right? But starting at more than $45,000, we think it's overpriced, especially when a larger base-model 3 Series offers similar performance and features for less money. The 2 Series' compact size is part of its appeal, though, so if you like the profile and need speed, we say go for it. For everyone else, the 228i checks all the boxes. Commuters should look for one with optional adaptive cruise control, useful on both highway and in congested traffic.

　　

2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe models

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes in three versions: 228i, 228i xDrive and the high-performance M235i xDrive. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 228i, while the other two trim levels use xDrive, BMW's name for all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on all three models.

　　228i

　　This entry trim comes well equipped with standard features, highlights including:

　　Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (228 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) Eight-speed automatic transmission 17-inch wheels LED headlights Power-adjustable front sport seats Simulated leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate controlTechnology and safety features include:

　　Digital instrument cluster 8.8-inch central touchscreen Integrated navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Satellite and HD radio 10-speaker sound system Automatic high beams Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Front and rear parking sensors228i xDrive

　　Same as the 228i but with all-wheel drive.

　　M235i xDrive

　　This performance-oriented trim adds more power and features such as:

　　Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (301 hp, 331 lb-ft) 18-inch wheels Sport-tuned suspension and more powerful brakes Electronic limited-slip differential (helps improve traction when accelerating) Aerodynamic appearance package Leather upholstery Ambient interior lightingThe 228i and M235i can be further equipped with packages and stand-alone features including:

　　Convenience package Panoramic roof Keyless entry Premium package Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Head-up display Live Cockpit Pro (10.25-inch touchscreen among other tech upgrades) Adaptive LED headlights Keyless entry Panoramic roof Ambient cabin lighting Driving Assistance package Automated self-parking system Traffic-adaptive cruise control (maintains driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front) Wireless smartphone charging Harman Kardon surround-sound system M Sport package (228i only): 18-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, upgraded brakes 19-inch wheels (M235i only) M Sport front seats (M235i only)

　　

2021 2 Series Gran Coupe Highlights

Type: SedanM235i xDriveSedan

　　Trim: 228i228i xDriveM235i xDrive228i

　　

Base MSRP	$35,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$168/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles