2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Test Drive: Munich Diversifies

There's a big difference between a BMW customer and a BMW fanatic. The latter will likely immediately discount the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe as a false Bimmer. Why is that? Well, unlike the 2 Series Coupe, the Gran Coupe is only available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot and an xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Worse still, it's built on a front-wheel-drive platform. Before you even sit in the car, you know that it won't handle like BMWs of old. Nevertheless, it's a good alternative to the likes of the competition from Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi S3, particularly in M235i guise, where it produces up to 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. But is a competitive engine enough to convince the old guard that the new way isn't so bad? Or was the AWD Bimmer built simply to provide another option to those not enamored by Merc and Audi? We drove an M235i Gran Coupe for five days to find out.

What's the Price of the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe?

The base model in the lineup for the US is the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe and it comes with a base price of $37,700 before a $995 destination charge. The range-topping M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is a little pricier, starting at an MSRP of $45,500 before options. Fully loaded with accessories and conveniences, the online configurator's most expensive BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe price works out to $55,645. By comparison, the new Audi S3 will start at $43,000 while Mercedes-AMG's CLA 35 is almost 48 grand.

2021 2 Series Gran Coupe Exterior

Dimensions

2021 2 Series Gran Coupe Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Okay, so the engine is capable although a bit dull, but what about the drive itself? If it's wearing a BMW badge, and especially one accompanied by an M designation, the car should drive brilliantly, right? You'd think so, but despite plenty of M Sport goodies on the M235i (brakes, suspension, and a retuned steering setup), the 2 Series Gran Coupe is little more than an appliance. For a Bimmer, that's a scathing review. I've been a BMW fan since before I could spell anything else, so I desperately wanted this to be a great drive. Unfortunately, there's absolutely nothing about the way this car feels that indicates its Bavarian origins.

The steering is light, sharp, and accurate, but it is totally devoid of feel. The one time that any sort of vibration or sensation was felt was when launching the car uphill, in the rain, with everything off - and the wheel hop was felt through my seat, not my hands. This means that you have no idea what the front wheels are doing when you're driving spiritedly through some winding corners. The only indication that you're doing a considerable speed is the sudden realization that the front tires are washing wide. The rear end refuses to kick out even slightly, no matter how hard you mash the throttle, so the Torsen mechanical differential is clearly not tuned to encourage hooliganism. However, it fails to tighten your driving line too. Maybe lift-off oversteer can help you neaten things up? Nope - the M235i still prefers to understeer.

Furthermore, the complexity of the front suspension inhibits how much angle you can get from the steering and you run into lock sooner than you'd expect. Thus, executing a U-turn isn't done as tightly as one would like, and tight, low-speed turns require a bit more forethought than should be necessary. Unfortunately, we've had more fun in a Mercedes CLA. At least the suspension is acceptably firm rather than stiff, and the brakes are excellent with plenty of feel and tons of capability.

2021 2 Series Gran Coupe Interior

2021 2 Series Gran Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe any good?

This is a complex question. Is it a good car? Yes. Is it a good BMW? No. It's good because it feels solid, it has striking (if controversial) looks, and it's competitively priced when compared with its direct rivals. It's got loads of attractive features, is pretty light on gas, and provides strong acceleration. However, if you've experienced a "proper" BMW - one with drive to the rear, a straight-six in front, and a manual gearbox in the middle - then the M235i Gran Coupe (and, by extension, the 228i) will be anything but invigorating. The steering is totally numb, the engine is absolutely soulless, and the handling leaves much to be desired. The fact that - as with most other contemporary offerings from various manufacturers - you can't have a manual gearbox only compounds the issues raised here. Nevertheless, we have to commend the 2 GC for its composed ride quality, attractive cabin, generous trunk, and respectable straight-line performance. What this means is that die-hard driving enthusiasts will despise this car, but those who view a car as little more than a status symbol or a tool for transportation will surely love it. We never thought the day would come when we'd say this, but if you take pleasure in driving, better buy the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35.

What BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Model Should I Buy?

This is a subjective question. The lukewarm (although inoffensive) performance of the 228i deters us from that model. Still, as a runaround with a premium badge, we can't fault it. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy their driving to some degree, it's the M235i that we'd opt for. It's far more affordable than its direct rivals while still providing a fun driving experience, and it looks the part, thanks to its various M Sport upgrades. We wouldn't go too crazy with the options, but we think the Driving Assistance package offers great value, thanks to its useful everyday features of a parking aid and adaptive cruise control. We'd advise against the optional 19-inch wheels as these add a harshness to the ride that is only exacerbated by run-flat tires. Further than that, we'd be happy to keep the options to a minimum, but we may be tempted by wireless charging and the practical head-up display.

2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe vs Audi S3 Sedan

The 2021 Audi A3 has not yet been launched domestically, but its hotter brother, the S3, is here with a very similar setup to the M235i. It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that produces more power and more torque than the Bimmer: 305 hp and 295 lb-ft of twist. It also comes with a dual-clutch automatic transmission and a front-biased AWD system, but despite its better-performing engine, the 0-60 mph sprint is dispatched a tenth slower than in the M235i with a time of 4.8 seconds. Top speed is the same at 155 mph. In terms of infotainment, you get a slightly smaller 10.1-inch touch display but the plus side is the standard inclusion of a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The mesmerizing 12.3-inch virtual cockpit (digital driver display) outshines the BMW's for sheer size, but both are excellent. We'll have to wait to drive the new S3 before passing judgment, but if you're not in a hurry to buy, it could be well worth the wait.

2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

The CLA Class has a similar setup to its other German rivals in terms of its powertrain, although the base model is a little less powerful than the base 228i. It generates 221 hp and the same torque figure as the Bimmer with 258 lb-ft. However, while both the abovementioned Audi and the two BMW offerings feature AWD as standard, the base CLA 250 is FWD with AWD available for an additional $2,000. Its trunk is also slightly smaller at 11.6 cubes, but the layout of the stunning interior will be enough to make up for that in most buyers' minds. Two seven-inch displays sit aside each other atop the dash, creating a panoramic effect that is simply spectacular. Unfortunately, two 10.25-inch screens like those you get in the Bimmer will make a bigger dent in your checkbook and the standard audio system with its eight speakers isn't quite as impressive as what you get in the 2 Series. Still, as we said earlier, the pricier Merc is worth a test drive if you enjoy being behind the wheel, as the new platform on which it's built is a revelation compared to the old one.