On sale for six years, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is basically a booted 1 Series hatch. But it is more than that, as this four-door coupe has become popular, with its own sense of style, and the fact it’s still great to drive.
Design and interior
The biggest changes with the newly updated version involve the exterior and interior design, bringing the 2 Series more in-line with the rest of the BMW range. More of a heavy facelift of the last first-generation 2 Series, and mimicking the 1 Series, most of the changes centre around the new nose. Flatter and significantly lower than before, the kidney grilles feature a neat structure of vertical and diagonal bars, plus standard-fit LED headlights, with distinctive vertical elements.
Just in case you forget what you’re driving, there’s now the number ‘2’ embossed into the C-pillar trim. There are also new alloy wheel designs, plus an optional M Dynamic Pack. This pack is also an option on the 1 Series, and will have little value for fleets, but is seen physically for the first time here. Only available on the M235 xDrive for £3,000, it includes specific19in light alloy wheels, M-specific chassis tuning, and styling elements such as the subtle rear spoiler, and less-subtle wing mirrors.
Inside, like the outside, the changes to the 2 Series Gran Coupe mirror the 1 Series. The biggest change is that the instruments and infotainment are now housed in a curved display. This is made up of a 10.25in driving information screen and a central 10.7in touchscreen, running the latest generation of BMW’s Operating System 9. The new infotainment works well, but we still feel it really should have a control wheel, as touching the screen is fiddly, and the screen soon gets messy with fingerprints. Ventilation controls are fixed at the bottom of the screen, and there are a couple of central buttons in the lit lower trim panel below the infotainment screen.
The driving position and sport seats fitted to both the 220 and especially the M135 that we drove were excellent and supportive. Rear space is no better than the 1 Series, so ‘tight’ is the best description – but no worse than the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Choose the fastest M235, and you get 430 litres of boot space, which is more than the A3 saloon, and less than the A- Class. However, if you go for the 220 or 223 with their mild hybrid systems, with the battery under the boot floor, this robs 70 litres of space.
Performance and drive
Gone are the diesels, plus there’s never has been a plug-in, or even an electric version of the 2 Series. As such, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fleet appeal will be limited, compared with rivals such as the A3 and A-Class. Instead, there’s a choice of two mild hybrid petrol engines and a pure petrol. The first mild hybrid, the 220, is powered by a 170hp, 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and has a 29% BIK company car tax implication. The second mild hybrid, the 223, is a 2.0-litre, with 218hp, and a 33% BIK figure. Finally, the sportiest, range-topping M235, with its 300hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, has a 37% tax implication.
The 220, now available in M Sport spec, is best described as willing, and refined. Like the latest BMW 1 Series, Sport mode is where it is at it is most responsive – although engine noise is well masked. It is well-matched to the seven-speed automatic transmission.
We also had the chance to drive the sportiest M235, with and without the M Dynamic pack. It feels every bit as a fast as its performance figures suggest, but the dynamic improvements because of this pack, make it worth consideration – if you can afford it!
Even without the M Dynamic pack, BMW is claiming it’s even sharper to drive, with further work done on stiffening the bodyshell. As expected, the steering feels impressively precise, with excellent body control, balance and grip. Although, the ride on the standard 19in wheels sometimes felt unsettled.
With almost 300hp, and four-wheel drive, the hottest 2 Series is almost a mini-M3 with M Dynamic pack fitted – it also manages to lift it, looking and feeling noticeably more special than the standard M235.
The new 2 Series Gran Coupe remains one of the keenest drives in its sector and offers similar interior space to rivals, in a more practical saloon package. However, the lack of versions – especially a plug-in hybrid – are going to limit this BMW’s appeal to fleet, and instead push them towards EV models, such as the iX1 SUV.
Positive: Good to drive, decent interior space, saloon practicality, quality feel
Negative: Expensive, lack of physical infotainment controls, boot space still compromised, limited engine choice, no PHEV option
Standard equipment: Power folding mirrors, LED headlights and rear lights, 18in alloy wheels, M high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW curved display, single-zone automatic air conditioning, sports steering wheel, cruise control with brake function, Park Distance Control, and reversing assist camera.
Engines: Petrol mild hybrid: 170hp 1.5, 218hp 2.0; Petrol: 300hp 2.0
Equipment grades: M Sport, M235
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
| Model | BMW 220 Gran Coupe M Sport |
| P11D | £33,920 |
| Residual value | 42.2% |
| Depreciation | £19,745 |
| Fuel | £5,850 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £2,804 |
| Cost per mile | 47.33p |
| Fuel consumption | 53.5mpg |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 120g/km (29%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £163/£328 |
| Luggage capacity | 360 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1,499cc/170hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
