2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

The Gran Coupe moniker sounds rather posh to most, but in terms of the 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, it's just a fancy way of identifying the brand's smallest luxury sedan. As one of BMW's more affordable offerings, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is pretty good to the average Joe who wants a taste of the good life, but real BMW enthusiasts won't be so easily impressed. With only a turbocharged four-cylinder in the range, albeit in two states of tune, and standard front-wheel drive, it doesn't readily inspire the sense of sportiness that the brand has become renowned for. Luckily there is optional all-wheel drive, and the M235i at least has some kick to it with 301 horsepower on tap over the base models' 228 hp. Nevertheless, the 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn't stand up very well against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3. So, even if you're a fan of the brand, is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe worth owning?

Given its small size and lack of six-cylinder power, the price of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is relatively affordable for a luxury sedan in the USA. The 228i starts things off at a base price of $36,600, while adding all all-wheel drive for $2,000 turns it into the 228i xDrive. The M235i xDrive already includes this upgrade and it further adds a few features and a more potent engine, increasing the price to $46,400. No other configurations of the M235i are available. These prices for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe are MSRP and do not include the $995 destination charge or other administrative fees.

The only model with any real level of power is the M235i, with the rest of the range feeling a bit lackluster by comparison. The M235i feels fast, but unfortunately, that is all it has going for it, so it doesn't stand out among the plethora of other speedy sports sedans out there. What makes a BMW truly desirable is how it handles, and the 2 Series Gran Coupe just doesn't draw you in as it should. The steering is too light and lacks any feedback, meaning that you'll never feel confident taking a corner quickly; driving a fast car should be thrilling, not nerve-wracking. The front-wheel-drive design of the car doesn't help either, with the optional all-wheel drive barely making much of a difference and still feeling FWD-biased.

Meanwhile, the suspension on the base trims is tuned towards comfort, as you'd expect from something like a Merc or Volvo, not a BMW. And while it may be relatively comfy, the CLA-Class is cushier still, and it manages to handle better. The M235i leans to the other extreme and its hard suspension makes for an unforgiving ride, without paying sufficient dividends in driving fun. We struggled to find any real joy from behind the wheel; at least it has an attractive and well-built cabin.

If you've never owned or driven a BMW before, you may find the 2 Series Gran Coupe totally acceptable. However, any real enthusiast wouldn't be caught owning one, let alone driving it. The sports sedan has a decent amount of power, especially in the top-end model, but there is nothing there to take advantage of it. There is no sense of dynamism to the front-wheel-drive platform, and the steering is too light and unengaging. The transmission does a decent job of ensuring you have enough power to get going while still remaining fuel efficient, though there is no manual option.

The ride on the base trims is decent, at least, and the interior of the sedan looks great. The exterior is less compelling, though. The standard tech offering is good, but BMW does love to make you pay extra for some nice-to-haves that other brands give you gratis. The cabin is fairly spacious, given that most compact luxury sedans are usually a bit cramped, although rear headroom is lacking somewhat. Even the trunk is usable. J.D. Power also provides an impressive reliability review for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. All of these are pros, for sure, but they aren't why anyone buys a Bimmer. Meanwhile, the BMW 2 Series' competitors, the Merc CLA and Audi A3 stick closely to their brand identity and perfectly meet consumer expectations. If you don't want to be disappointed, rather stick with a sports sedan that delivers on its promises.

No matter how you build it, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will never be the sports car you may want it to be. The base-level 228i has the badge and the premium interior that let the world know you own a BMW. It also gets all the same safety features and the majority of the comforts you'd find on the top-tier M235i. However, the starter four-pot feels a tad uncharismatic, so we would still sprint for the better performance of the M235i. This is a big step up in price, though, so we'd suggest keeping the optional extras to a minimum if you want to get your money's worth. The head-up display is tempting, but since it's part of a nearly $2.5k package, we'd be willing to go without it.