The 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe is decently quick and sporty enough to feel competent on a winding road. But around town, the ride is a bit too stiff, especially on rough pavement. It's also on the pricey side for this class, starting several thousand dollars more than the competition. But if cargo room and interior storage for personal items are important to you, the 2 Series Gran Coupe does that better than most of its competition.
Increasingly sophisticated safety systems and expanding creature comforts make for passenger cars that grow faster than well-funded tech startups. And few automakers know the sweet-spot between sizes like BMW. The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a textbook case, with tidy dimensions that echo the design of classic 3 Series sedans from the 1980s and 1990s.
Along with its sporty and nimble size, the 2 Series Gran Coupe (the name indicates its fastback-style sloping roof) offers an attractive entry-level luxury price. But that doesn't make it a budget Bimmer. While it's based on a Mini Cooper platform to save costs, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers the performance, technology and refinement we've come to expect of the brand. It's also well suited to compete in a growing class of entry-luxury models, including the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 and Cadillac CT4 also solid choices. Read our Expert Rating to get our team's take on this sporty new luxury compact.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Good
7.9
out of 10
We drove the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
8/10
How does the 2 Series Gran Coupe drive? The four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe isn't as responsive or athletic as the regular 2 Series coupe. But compared to other entry-level luxury sedans, it's relatively agile. The firm suspension keeps body roll in check, and the light, precise steering is quick enough to make hitting an apex or maneuvering through a tight parking lot a breeze.
The gas pedal can be slow to respond from a dead stop, but once you get moving, acceleration is brisk and responsive. Our 228i test car needed 6.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is a tick quicker than an entry-level Mercedes A-Class. The eight-speed automatic transmission is well tuned and smoother than the dual-clutch automatics found in some competitors.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the 2 Series Gran Coupe? The ride is a little stiff with the M Sport suspension and 18-inch wheels. Even so, you should be able to put in a full day's drive behind the wheel without much of an issue. The standard sport seats are soft and supportive, and the side bolsters hold you in place without being overly tight. The headrest is angled a bit too far forward for taller drivers.
The climate control works well. The controls are easy to see and use thanks to dedicated buttons just beneath the infotainment screen. The dual-zone system kept the car even and cool on a bright sunny day, and the fans were quiet enough. There is a mild amount of wind and road noise at highway speeds, but you likely won't have to raise your voice to speak with passengers.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? For the most part, the 2 Series Gran Coupe falls in line with other recent BMWs. The dash is angled just slightly toward the driver, and most of the controls are well placed and easy to read. There are dedicated buttons for most of the controls including those for adjusting the climate or switching to navigation or the radio. A few are out of sight, but you should be fine with a little muscle memory.
The cabin is relatively roomy, at least for those in the front seats. The doors open wide, making it easy to get in and out. Rear passengers won't be as comfortable. The sloping roofline severely reduces headroom. Visibility is mostly fine, but the small rear window makes it a bit difficult to see what's behind you.
Technology
7.5/10
How’s the tech? BMW offers all of its latest and greatest driver aids, including adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. Most of the aids are optional, but that's the case with the competition too.
In practice, we were left a bit disappointed. BMW's iDrive infotainment system is relatively easy to interact with and offers both voice and gesture controls in addition to standard buttons and a touchscreen. It works well, though not as well as the system on the latest Mercedes-Benz models. Device integration is good thanks to four USB ports and an easy-to-sync Bluetooth system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a generously sized trunk and useful interior storage. The trunk opening is a bit shallow, but the liftover is low and there's more space (15.1 cubic feet) than in most competitors. The wheelwells and trunklid hinges don't intrude much. The rear seats are split 40/20/40 and fold flat for loading longer items. Interior storage is better than most, with big door pockets and a nice spot to put your phone just in front of the cupholders.
Getting a car seat in and out might be a pain given the car's low roofline, but the car seat anchors are easy to access under plastic panels.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the all-wheel-drive Gran Coupe 228i (which is what we tested) will get 27 mpg combined (23 city/33 highway). That's 1 mpg lower than the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz A 220 in all categories and better than the Audi A3. Our test car returned 30.5 mpg on our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, which is a respectable figure and an indication the EPA figures are realistic.
Value
7.5/10
Is the 2 Series Gran Coupe a good value? The 2 Series Gran Coupe falls right in line with competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz A 220 when it comes to cost and value. Its base price is one of the highest in the class, but it comes with standard features including all-wheel drive and a basic suite of driver aids including blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning. The price gap narrows when a rival is loaded with the same equipment.
The warranty and ownership experience are even better. BMW offers four years/50,000 miles for both basic and powertrain warranties. In addition, the 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, better than nearly all rivals.
Wildcard
8/10
The 2 Series Gran Coupe isn't the most fun or exciting BMW sedan we've ever driven, but it's by no means boring. On a winding road, the car proved competent and relatively capable thanks to a smooth powertrain and decent driver feedback. We weren't itching to get back behind the wheel, but we weren't ready to jump out after a day of driving either.
It shines on looks too. The design may not be for everyone, but it's striking and it falls in line with the latest crop of BMWs. There are a lot of great paint options for the 2 Series Gran Coupe too. It's one of the few sedans we've driven in recent years that gets attention at stoplights.
This 2021 BMW 2 Series 228i xDrive represents an excellent opportunity to own a refined compact sport sedan with proven reliability and dynamic perfor...
2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe trim level differences
The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes in three versions: 228i, 228i xDrive and the high-performance M235i xDrive. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 228i, while the other two trim levels use xDrive, BMW's name for all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on all three models. Compare the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe trim levels in-depth.
Which 2 Series Gran Coupe trim does Edmunds recommend?
The M235i is tempting. Great performance and stocked with features. And it's got M in the name, right? But starting at more than $45,000, we think it's overpriced, especially when a larger base-model 3 Series offers similar performance and features for less money. The 2 Series' compact size is part of its appeal, though, so if you like the profile and need speed, we say go for it. For everyone else, the 228i checks all the boxes. Commuters should look for one with optional adaptive cruise control, useful on both highway and in congested traffic.
2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 228i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Sporty. Handles like a dream. Base engine is enough power for us, spec say top speed is 130+. Don’t doubt it. Point an shoot. Interior is beautiful and upscale. Well made. Voice recognition is unusually good and spot on.
Bit “sporty” over bumps. Good ride, but not cushy. Safety tech is wonderful and straight forward. As advertised. Other technology is good, but esoteric. Big learning … curve. Need to read all the manuals and videos to feel comfortable with the infotainment, even for nerd types. Definitely not intuitive to the non-german mind. GPS map is crazy complicated graphic, too much detail. Hard to read at a glance. Not usable. Rather use Apple Car Play instead.
Opt for the self parking feature for $200. It’s a bargain, especially parking in tight garages.
Lively and lovely pocket-rocket. Would definitely recommend as a fun little runabout.
German Pocket Rocket
5 out of 5 stars
Freddie H, 07/15/2021
2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe M235i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I leased my 2021 BMW M235i x drive gran coupe about 1 month ago and I love it. and this is coming from a Mercedes owner and sales person. My 1999 C43 AMG is my garage queen and I was looking for something fun to drive to replace it for daily driving. After being unable to secure a 2021 A35 or CLA 35 AMG ( due to chip shortage and Covid ) I was forced to look elsewhere. I was not … familiar with the BMW M235i X drive Gran Coupe and my 15 year old son insisted that I take a look at this vehicle. The closest M235i X drive Gran Coupe was about 45 miles from me so I took to looking at reviews on YouTube and was hooked. I secured my lease online and had it delivered to me the same day and I have been happy ever sense. This vehicle is beautiful to look at and drive. It handles like a proper sports sedan and corners likes it's on rails. The variable exhaust is perfect, just enough growl to sound mean but not loud enough to bother the neighbors. It comes with all the tech toys and safety tech you could ever ask for. If you are looking for a fun to drive sports sedan this one needs to be on your short list.
Very Nice Vehicle, Diluted BMW DNA
3 out of 5 stars
Dan St, 07/25/2021
2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 228i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I leased this as a bridge vehicle till the electric 4-series BMW comes out in 2022.
It’s a great vehicle for what it is. Fairly zippy with good handling-good German-engineered all-wheel drive. It is the first automatic transmission I’ve owned andthe lag time between punching the accelerator and actually moving, is very poor. Mind you, I am comparing it to my’98 323 with a five-speed … manual transition that delivers pretty direct drive.
That said, I’d recommend this car for those wanting a sports compact that’s a BMW. If you’re used to driving an older, rear-wheel drive BMW, this may not be the car for you.
Best BMW I’ve owned
5 out of 5 stars
Michael Superczynski, 08/26/2020
2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 228i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
If you want a fun car to drive, the 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe is the one to get. You’ll find yourself looking for excuses to drive it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, so we've included reviews for other years of the 2 Series Gran Coupe since its last redesign.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 13 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the 2 Series Gran Coupe has 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Learn more
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe reliable?
To determine whether the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 2 Series Gran Coupe's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 13 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 2 Series Gran Coupe is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe?
The least-expensive 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 228i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $35,700.
Other versions include:
228i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $35,700
228i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $37,700
M235i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $45,500
What are the different models of BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe?
If you're interested in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the next question is, which 2 Series Gran Coupe model is right for you? 2 Series Gran Coupe variants include 228i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), 228i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and M235i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of 2 Series Gran Coupe models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more