Select a year
- Highs Two perky turbo fours, well-positioned primary controls, eager handling.
- Lows Awkward proportions, passenger space is limited in the rear, front-wheel-drive bias.
- Verdict The 2-series Gran Coupe is a good compact luxury car, but it doesn't live up to its BMW badge.
Overview
Premium automakers are racing to the bottom with entry-level luxury offerings, and BMW is no exception. Behold the 2020 2-series Gran Coupe, set to compete against Mercedes-Benz's new A-class sedan and Audi's A3 four-door. Buyers can choose between two different turbocharged four-cylinders, and all-wheel drive is standard. The 2-series Gran Coupe's styling may not appeal to everyone, but it offers enough family resemblance to not look entirely out of place next to the similarly rakish 4-series Gran Coupe.
What's New for 2020?
The 2-series Gran Coupe is an all-new model in the BMW lineup. Rather than borrowing the bones of the 2-series coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe rides on the same platform as the X1 and X2 subcompact SUVs.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Driving enthusiasts will likely yearn for the hotter M235i model, but for the majority of drivers, the base 228i Gran Coupe will surely satisfy. We'd skip most options, but adding the Convenience package—keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, and SiriusXM satellite radio—seems like a no-brainer.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Both 2-series Gran Coupe models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The one in the 228i makes 228 horsepower, whereas the M235i's produces 301 horses. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard with both engines. Around town, the 228i feels sprightly and eager, and at the test track, it delivered a brisk 5.1-second run to 60 mph. But a short test drive in the M235i will push that from our mind. The M235i makes the entry-level model feel tame, and at our test track it blasted to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. That's even quicker than the X2 M35i with the same powertrain; the latter managed to hit 60 in 4.6 seconds during a recent comparison test.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA rates the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe for 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, and on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop, it posted an impressive 37 mpg. The more powerful M235i model earns nearly the same ratings as the 228i: 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. What's more, in our testing it delivered the same 37 mpg result.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Cabin styling matches that of modern BMWs like the new 3-series sedan and the X3 SUV. It's a simple driver-focused design featuring ambient interior lighting that illuminates the dashboard and door panels. BMW claims that rear-seat legroom is nearly the same as the larger 3-series sedan's, but overall the cabin feels snug for both front- and rear-seat passengers. The 2-series Gran Coupe's small cargo area is good enough for grocery runs and weekend road trips, and the rear seats fold down to accommodate bulkier cargo. We fit five carry-on suitcases back there with the seats up and 14 with them down.
Infotainment and Connectivity
An 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen sits atop the 2-series Gran Coupe's dashboard, angled slightly toward to driver for ease of use. Navigation comes standard, but SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and a Harman/Kardon stereo system will cost extra. BMW provides Apple CarPlay compatibility at no charge; Android Auto integration will join the lineup as a standard feature midway through 2020. Opting for the Live Cockpit Pro system trades the 2-series Gran Coupe's analog gauges for a reconfigurable 10.3-inch digital display and swaps the standard infotainment screen with a 10.3-inch unit.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash-tested the 2-series Gran Coupe. BMW's Active Driving Assistant comes standard, which includes a suite of driver-assistance features to help reduce the likelihood of an accident. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW offers a warranty package that matches what its European rivals provide, but then it sweetens the deal with three full years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Audi offers just one year of included service visits, and Mercedes-Benz, none.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
2020 BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE
$38,495
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
122 cu in, 1998 cc
Power
228 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
258 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed manual automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.0-in vented disc/11.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Turanza LS100 RFT, 225/40R-18 92H M+S ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 178.5 in
Width: 70.9 in
Height: 55.9 in
Passenger volume: 89 cu ft
Trunk volume: 15 cu ft
Curb weight: 3517 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 5.1 sec
100 mph: 14.1 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
1/4 mile: 13.8 sec @ 99 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 129 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph highway driving: 37 mpg
Highway range: 480 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 27/23/33 mpg
