2024 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

Overview

In the BMW family, the 2024 BMW 2-series Gran Coupe is the budget-oriented option to get customers into a luxury car. Not that it’s cheap, mind you. Unfortunately, the Gran Coupe’s underpinnings are shared with Mini, so front-wheel drive comes standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The handling is playful, but the GC’s front-wheel-drive platform doesn’t impart the same confident feel as BMW’s 2- and 3-series sedans—and finely honed driving dynamics are what this brand lives on, after all. A pair of turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains generate respectable amounts of power, but neither the 228i nor the 301-horsepower M235i feel as stable nor as exciting as their larger siblings. The interior’s upscale appointments are right in line with other Bimmers’ cabins and compare nicely with premium competitors like the Acura Integra and Audi A3. But the 2-series Gran Coupe feels like a car built to a price rather than a car built to be great.

What’s New for 2024?

There are no changes for the 2024 BMW 2-series Gran Coupe. The model carries over with only a slight price increase.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Driving enthusiasts will likely yearn for the hotter M235i model, but the base 228i Gran Coupe will satisfy most buyers. We’d skip most options, but adding the Convenience package—keyless entry, driver’s-side lumbar support, and a panoramic sunroof—seems like a no-brainer.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Both 2-series Gran Coupe models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The one in the 228i makes 228 horsepower, whereas the M235i’s produces 301 horses. All-wheel drive is standard on the M235i and optional on the 228i; an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line. Around town, the 228i feels sprightly and eager, and at the test track, it delivered a brisk 5.1-second run to 60 mph. A short test drive in the M235i, however, will push the 228i from your mind. The M235i makes the entry-level model feel tame, and in our hands, it blasted to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. That’s quicker than the X2 M35i SUV, which has the same powertrain and hit 60 in 4.6 seconds during a comparison test.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA rates the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe at 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, and on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop, it posted an impressive 37 mpg. The more powerful M235i model earns nearly the same ratings as the 228i: 23 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. What’s more, in our testing, it delivered 37 mpg too. For more information about the 2-series Gran Coupe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Gran Coupe’s cabin styling matches that of modern BMWs such as the 3-series sedan and the X3 SUV. It’s a simple, handsome, driver-focused design featuring ambient interior lighting that illuminates the dashboard and door panels. BMW claims that rear-seat legroom is nearly the same as the larger 3-series sedan’s but the cabin feels snug for both front- and rear-seat passengers. The 2-series Gran Coupe’s small cargo area is enough for grocery runs and weekend road trips, and the rear seat folds down to accommodate bulkier cargo. We fit five carry-on suitcases back there with the rear seat up and 14 with it down.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The driver faces a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital gauge display and a dashboard-mounted 10.3-inch touchscreen. The latter is angled slightly toward the driver for ease of use. Navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio come standard, but a wireless smartphone charging pad and Harman Kardon stereo system cost extra. And BMW provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility at no charge.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

BMW’s Active Driving Assistant, which includes a suite of driver-assistance features to help reduce the likelihood of an accident, comes standard. For more information about the 2-series Gran Coupe’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW offers a warranty package that matches what its European rivals provide, and then it sweetens the deal with three full years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. Audi offers just one year of included service visits, and Mercedes-Benz doesn’t offer any.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs