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Obviously, the cards of the updated 2 Series Gran Coupe are shuffled differently than those of its predecessor(s). In this case, we drove a Gran Coupe in Brooklyn Grau color, with the M Sport Design package and the 220 engine version with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine rated at 125 kW (170 hp) and 280 Nm of torque – the same powertrain as in the BMW 120 we drove earlier.

Clearly a different snout

The current BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe mainly distinguishes itself from the previous generation from the outside. Whereas that one still wore the classic BMW exterior more emphatically, with angel eyes and kidneys still somewhat present, this model is sleeker and more modern in design. It looks as if the 2 Series is narrowing its eyes a bit.

It’s a slightly different look than you might be used to from BMW, but that doesn’t take away from the sharp and sporty lines. The sharp bulbous strips on the long hood emphasize its dynamic character, while the sedan shape gives the car extra length optically. We say sedan deliberately, because the fact is that this car still has a practical entry with four doors – unlike the 2 Series Coupe or the fattest version, the M2.

On the other hand, the Gran Coupe does have some elegant details. Consider the sloping rear window without a wiper and the frameless door windows – that makes us happy. All in all, the 2 Series Gran Coupe looks modern and sleek with sporty details.

One with the 2 Series

What immediately stands out about the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe are the comfortable seats. From the moment you take a seat in the interior, you notice that this car is focused on you – the driver. The seats have pleasant adjustability and offer fine lateral support, with cheeks palpable on either side of the body. Good for a sporty yet comfortable feel.

As someone with long legs, you quickly experience that the seating position in this type of low car is not ideal. There is usually a lot of space between the hollow of the knees and the front of the seat, even if there is an extension. Because the front of the seat can be adjusted separately, you do get sufficient support under the knees. The seat lowers far down, providing plenty of headroom. The steering wheel is also adjustable in two directions (height and depth). This makes the seating position much more pleasant, without compromising the sporty driving position – even for a taller driver.

Rear space and practicality

With the seat pushed far back, however, little space remains in the back seat. Consequently, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is not a “big” space wonder; in terms of its interior, it is very reminiscent of the 1 Series on which it is based. Taller adults have limited legroom in the back, and the sloping roofline leaves little headroom.

Where it does stand out is the modified bodywork, which results in a slightly larger luggage space. Indeed, its exact capacity is 360 liters, which is more than the 300-liter capacity of the 1 Series hatchback.

Three ke … cylinders is the key?

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with the following powertrains. The 216 is the three-cylinder with 90 kW (122 hp) of power, while the 220 is slightly more powerful with 125 kW (170 hp). Both versions feature front-wheel drive. If you want more power and an extra cylinder, you automatically get a 2 Series Gran Coupe with all-wheel drive. The 223 xDrive has a four-cylinder engine with 165 kW (224 hp), the M235 xDrive tops this with 221 kW (301 hp).

So we drove the 220 – the strongest three-cylinder. This gives the car enough power to move forward, but the character of the three-cylinder is clearly noticeable. At low revs, for example when pulling away from a traffic light, the engine sometimes lacks the refinement and suppleness you are used to from a four-cylinder. The car switches noticeably between electronic support – it has a small 0.9 kWh battery – and the internal combustion engine.

With a velvet foot you don’t notice much of this though, but with a slightly smoother move you notice a jittery response. Conversely, on the highway, it takes a while before the automatic transmission downshifts to a lower gear. The 2 Series hums a bit until it then finally admits that revving more is actually a better idea.

At higher speeds, the engine comes into its own better. Then the three-cylinder runs more quietly and the lack of extra cylinders is less noticeable. It is clear that BMW has made a compromise here: the car offers sufficient performance and suits the entry-level position of this model; for enthusiasts, there are other powertrains that show more of the typical BMW refinement.

Fun in the corners and on the long haul

Although the three-cylinder is at times just not quite right, in general the 2 Series Gran Coupe is a smooth car with which to cover your miles. As a driver, you have two options. Either you grip the steering wheel more firmly with an eye on the approaching curves, or you have your eyes on the horizon while the kilometers fly by under you.

The road holding and steering are convincing. You sit comfortably in the car as a driver, with dynamic handling that is comfortable on the one hand, but at the same time offers sufficient sharpness. The steering feels precise and pleasant – not too light, not too heavy – and provides immediate feedback and thus confidence. In terms of suspension and damping, the 2 Series also does well: bumps are neatly filtered out, without feeling too harsh. The suspension is surprisingly dynamic for a BMW that does not go through life as a performance model.

In this way, you can indeed speak of a degree of driving pleasure – in different scenarios. It offers the sharpness and sportiness in the corners, the comfort and stability on the straight.

Consumption in practice

During the test we drove over 600 kilometers with this BMW 220i Gran Coupe. Because the car had few kilometers on its odometer, we didn’t always push it on its tail. Without any other heavy load on board, the on-board computer eventually registered an average consumption of 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers. That is not exceptionally economical, but certainly not bad for a gasoline engine of this size. The result shows that the three-cylinder can be reasonably efficient, provided you handle it quietly. With more dynamic driving the consumption will undoubtedly be a bit higher.

Be warned – or not.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is equipped with the necessary driving assistance systems, but what is nice: they are easy to disable. On the center tunnel are several physical hotkeys, with which you quickly conjure up menus in the infotainment. For example, you can easily turn off the speed and lane departure warnings. By the way, you can also turn off that speed warning via the steering wheel.

This makes the controls clearer than some competitors, where you have to go deep into the menu. It is notable, however, that this model does not have a dial like in the iDrive system. That is reserved for the higher series. In this 2 Series, you have to make do with a simpler center console, although the hotkeys are thus a welcome addition.

The operation of the driver assistance systems themselves is convincing. For example, the lane departure warning can be turned off completely, but the blind spot monitoring remains alert. When there is a vehicle in the blind spot and you change lanes anyway, the car gives noticeable resistance in the steering wheel. As a driver, you really have to push through that resistance to still make the move. This can sometimes feel a bit excessive, but it also clearly contributes to safety.

A digital cockpit

The above keyboard shortcuts make interactions with the infotainment screen very intuitive. The system itself is also very pleasant. You are provided with a modern digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, which come together in one large, slightly curved panel. This floats above the dashboard, as it were, giving a nice and airy effect. Thanks to the shadow beneath it, the whole thing looks stylishly integrated. The graphics are sharp, the interface responsive and feels high-quality.

Handy is the wireless smartphone integration, which allows you to easily project apps like Spotify, Google Maps and your phone onto the center screen with Android Auto or Apple Carplay. The car also offers wireless charging and also has two front USB-C ports, as well as two cup holders. This makes the center tunnel practical to use.

Yet there is also a downside there: some parts of the center tunnel are finished with hard plastic. Silver-colored accents give the impression that they are made of metal, but when touched you notice that it is just plastic. If you tap or rattle against it, it sounds less premium than you might expect.

That said, the interior generally offers a mix of high-quality finishes – with soft materials on the dashboard, a handsome steering wheel and comfortable seats – and some savings that fit the entry-level nature of this 2 Series. So it’s not the ultimate premium experience BMW offers in higher-end models, but within this segment it still feels modern and high-quality. That feeling is enhanced as soon as you turn up the volume on the radio, as the Harman Kardon system offers good sound.

Conclusion BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 220i is a stylish, modern-looking car with premium looks and a pleasant ride. It offers comfortable seats, a sleek infotainment system and the necessary driving assistance systems that work well. Yet this entry-level BMW also has limitations: rear seat space is cramped, the three-cylinder engine lacks refinement, and in the interior you’ll encounter tougher plastic here and there.

All in all, this is a car that appeals to those looking for a compact, elegant BMW with a sporty edge, but do not have an emphatic need for maximum performance or ultimate luxury.

Price BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Prices for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe vary depending on the trim and engine version. The entry-level model, the 216, is on the price list from 46,684 euros, followed by the 220 which is priced almost the same at 46,687 euros.

If you opt for more equipment, you end up with the 220 M Sport Design Edition, which is available from 48,130 euros. For those looking for more power and all-wheel drive, there is the 223 xDrive, with a recommended retail price of 53,897 euros. At the very top of the range is the M235 xDrive, which with its sporty character and most powerful engine has a price tag of 81,897 euros.

Plus points BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

• Sleek and modern design with elegant details
• Comfortable and well adjustable seats
• Attractive and fast-acting infotainment system
• Pleasant steering and dynamic handling
• Relatively favorable practical consumption

Minuses BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

• Rear cramped legroom
• Three-cylinder engine lacks refinement, especially at low revs
• Interior partially finished with hard plastic