Drive with us: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Review

Building on the success of the 1 Series, can the 2 Series Gran Coupe trump its rivals?

This four-door Gran Coupe sits in a unique sector of the car market, rivalling the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and offering a smaller alternative to the Audi A5 Sportback.

The Gran Coupe 2 Series shares a lot of its underpinnings with the BMW 1 Series. It's got an elegant yet muscular design, and effortless drive, but can it match (or even surpass) some of its rivals? We have been out in the BMW 220d M Sport to find out just how good it is.

Price

When it comes to the 2 Series Gran Coupe range, prices can vary depending on the model line you choose.

Pick the entry-level Sport models and OTR prices can start from £27,335 for the petrol engine, with a hike up to £33,065 for the entry-level diesel alternative. 

M Sport models can range from £29,325 or £35,055, again depending on your engine of choice. Prices for the M235i xDrive models can start from £38,540.

If your budget allows, you could also consider the tantalising prospect of the M2 Competition, which costs a hefty £52,405. 

A BMW lease creates a cost-effective monthly payment that allows you to enjoy the impressive 2 Series Gran Coupe range for a fraction of the cost.

*Prices and model lines correct at the time of publication

Engine choice

There is a competitive choice of petrol and diesel engines available throughout the Gran Coupe lineup. 

Entry-level petrol engines in the Sport lineup start with 136hp but can range up to 178hp. For greater efficiency, choose the 218d diesel engine and you’ll enjoy up to 62.8mpg. 

A full breakdown of the Engine options available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is as follows:

Sport

Petrol

218i Sport Gran Coupe - from £27,335 - 136hp (Manual & Automatic DTC)

220i Sport Gran Coupe - from £31,135 - 178hp (Sport Automatic DTC)

Diesel

218d Sport Gran Coupe - from £29,800 - 150hp (Manual & Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

220d Sport Gran Coupe - from £33,065  - 190hp (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

M Sport

Petrol

218i M Sport Gran Coupe - from £29,325 - 136hp (Manual & Automatic DTC)

220i M Sport Gran Coupe - from £33,085 - 178hp (Sport Automatic DTC)

Diesel

218d M Sport Gran Coupe - from £31,750 - 150hp (Manual & Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

220d M Sport Gran Coupe - from £35,055 - 190hp (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

M235i

Petrol

M235i xDrive Gran Coupe - from £38,540 - 306hp (Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles)

Drive

When it comes to the drive, we were out testing the BMW 220d M Sport Gran Coupe - complete with Sport Automatic Transmission and manual Gearshift Paddles. With 190hp and a 0-62mph time of just 7.5s, this car packed a pleasing punch.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with three driving modes to choose from; Eco, Comfort, and Sport. Regardless of the driving mode you're in, sufficient acceleration and power is there should you need it. 

Unsurprisingly, the car feels at its best in Sport mode. Here, the acceleration is rapid, and you’re met with an endearing pull as you set off. We can’t quite compare it to the speed you’ll find in an M2 Competition (nor should we really), but it performs well - there's no doubt about it.

The distinctive sound of a diesel engine is present, no doubt. While torque doesn’t knock your socks off, the 2 Series Gran Coupe thrives when you need an instant hit of power, say when you’re going from 40mph up to 70mph or making a motorway overtake. 

We tested the vehicle on a variety of roads, but it was navigating the windy country lanes where we had the most fun. In true BMW style, the handling was effortless as it glided through corners while staying completely planted to the floor.  

Because of the compact cabin, the 2 Series hugs you in behind the wheel. Given that it shares much of its underpinnings with the BMW 1 Series, you won’t be surprised to learn that it feels very much like the hatchback when you’re behind the wheel.

There were two bugbears we had with the drive – the rear visibility and the automatic folding wing mirrors.

As a result of the low coupe roof, rear visibility overall was okay, but not amazing. The headrests on the rear bench did hinder this further, but if you’re not carrying passengers in the rear, you can solve this quite easily by simply taking them out.

Many will find the folding mirrors - which curve down towards the wheel the moment you enter reverse - a godsend. For us, driving down these country lanes, the threat of kerbing the car was less of a concern. Instead, the act of reversing the car became a little bit of an annoyance. First world problems, we know.

Design and Interior

This 2 Series really hit the note at Carparison HQ – we had staff queuing up to take it out for a spin. 

It’s hard not to see elements of the BMW 1 Series when you look at it from the front, but that is by no means a bad thing. We’d like to think of it as a 1 Series with a little more oomph. 

The blacked-out front grille also divided opinion. Initially, I was unsure. It almost looks like a modern-day electric car. However, when you combine it with the muscular and wide front bumper, it does look tough and quite ferocious. 

Our 2 Series Gran Coupe also came fitted with M Sport Brakes with Blue Calipers (via the optional M Sport Pro Pack), which complemented the Storm Bay metallic paint beautifully. 

The rear is equally divisive. It’s wide, chunky and if anything, a little bulbous when looking at it in isolation. Then, when you step back and take into account the detailing from the dual exhausts and sporty air vents, it certainly stands out for all the right reasons. 

From all angles, the 2 Series looks incredibly muscular, though perhaps a little less refined than the Mercedes CLA, which offers drivers something a little more elegant. 

It is apparent as soon as you take a seat inside the Gran Coupe just how well it has been built. The model we drove had some lovely leather finishes with intricate blue stitching and comfortable sports seats that enhance the overall quality.

It has been designed with the driver in mind. The touchscreen is angled towards you and there is plenty of flexibility in the steering wheel and the Head-Up Display (an optional extra via the Technology Pack). 

The cabin itself was a touch on the darker side and this could be rectified by the optional Panoramic Glass Sunroof – though be aware, it will encroach into what is already limited headroom in the rear.

However, it’s an incredibly comfortable place to be. If you’re not going to be affected by the limited headroom in the rear, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your time here.

Technology

As we have come to expect from similar BMW cars, there is a fantastic range of technology available when it comes to leasing the 2 Series. 

Once again, the German manufacturer have struck a fantastic balance in their mixture of tactile buttons, voice control and touchscreen usage. Every driver will have their preferences in terms of what they like to use and when so there’s something for everyone.

As standard, all Gran Coupe models are getting a 10.25 touchscreen, and both the touchscreen and the Intelligent Personal Assistant were responsive and intuitive, while the BMW iDrive system is as good as ever. The Head-Up Display was crisp and the option to adjust it based on your driving position is a welcomed touch.

There is a long list of optional packs that you can add to the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Our vehicle had the M Sport Pro Pack, which gives you the excellent Harman/Kardon Surround Sound Audio System, M Sport Spoiler and Sun Protection Glass among other handy benefits. With the additional Technology Pack fitted, our car also came with Wireless Charging and a WiFi Hotspot.

Some of these upgrades can be pricey, though overall we do think they offer some really worthwhile additions.

Space and Practicality

You’re not necessarily buying the 2 Series for its space or practicality, so it is important to remember that as we guide you through some of its pitfalls.

Take a seat in the rear and you instantly feel the knock-on effects of the sloping roof. While it looks fantastic from the outside, it hinders your ability to get in and out of the car. The door openings aren’t that generous, so you’re forced to bend and curl to get in. Once you’re in, the headroom isn’t tremendous either. 

Even for me, at 5’8” (and a half), I found myself just on the limit of things becoming uncomfortable if I were to sit completely upright in the back seats. Anyone six foot or above will struggle on a journey of any significant distance, which is the harsh reality with this class. 

Get yourself into a more relaxed, natural seating position and things become a little better, especially as you sit quite deep into what is quite an angled backbench. This leaves you with a generous amount of legroom and as with the rest of the cabin, you can’t question the comfort levels. 

The storage on offer throughout the cabin is adequate, with enough space for a small bottle and general bits and pieces in the door bins. Visibility from the backbench is good, but the rear windows only open to about 60%. 

There is also a competitive 430L of boot storage - which is just a touch smaller than the 460L on offer in the Mercedes CLA. As with all models in this class, the low roof does limit exactly what you can fit in and out of the boot itself, but the 2 Series benefits from no load lip and a wide opening.  

Model Lines

Sport 

• 17" light alloy Double-spoke style 549 wheels
• Exclusive Sport exterior features
• Exterior trim, High-gloss Shadowline
• Air conditioning, automatic with two-zone control
• Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, three-spoke
• Sport seats, front
• Cloth Nivala / Sensatec upholstery with Orange or Grey highlight
• Rear-view mirror, automatically dimming
• Active Guard Plus
• LED foglights, front
• LED headlights
• Cruise Control with braking function
• Park Distance Control
• BMW Live Cockpit Professional, comprising:
• BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
• Connected Package Professional

M Sport (in addition to Sport)

• 18" M light alloy Double-spoke style 819 M wheels
• Exterior mirrors - electrically-folding with anti-dazzle
• M Sport aerodynamic body styling:
• Dakota leather upholstery with perforation and contrast stitching
• M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel with a three-spoke design
• Front seat heating
• Door sill finishers with M designation, front
• Automatic headlight beam-throw control
• Gearshift lever with M designation, short-shift (manual transmission only)
• M Sport steering
• M Sport suspension
• Remote control with integrated key, including High-gloss Black inlay and M designation

M235i xDrive (in addition to Sport)

• 18" M light alloy Double-spoke style 556 M wheels
• M aerodynamic body styling
• M rear spoiler
• Dual exhaust tailpipe
• M logo designation, side – Cerium GreyM2 Competition
• M Sport seats, front
• M seat belts
• M Sport braking system
• M Sport steering with M235i xDrive-specific settings
• M Sport suspension with M235i xDrive-specific settings
• BMW TwinPower twin-scroll Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine
• Eight-speed Sport automatic transmission with electronic selector-lever
• xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive with M235i-specific reinforced components

If you would like even more performance, you also have the option to upgrade to the mouth-watering M2 Competition. 

These come with an M Sports exhaust system, M Sport brakes, M Sport seats and a wealth of other sporty upgrades that help it provide a real spine-tingling drive. 

Verdict

Before we began our test drive, we were in two minds about the target market for the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Despite its size, it is not the most practical, but its rather muscular looks make it oh so easy on the eye.

Then as soon as we got behind the wheel, things started to become clearer. The 2 Series has a target market, and that is for people who love to drive. 

The BMW 3 Series is more expensive, while the BMW 1 Series is no match for the Gran Coupe when it comes to looks - making the 2 Series Gran Coupe the perfect option to sit in between.  

We don’t think it’s completely out of the realms of possibility that you could use this as a family car either. You’d be limited to a couple of small children, and you’ll be forced to sacrifice on some practical creature comforts, but it wouldn't be impossible. 

Let’s face it though, you’re not leasing this to be practical. This is a car that is there to be driven and it promises absolute driving enjoyment once you’re behind the wheel.

Interested in a BMW 2 Series lease? Browse our latest personal and business contract hire offers on the Gran Coupe.