2025 BMW M235 Gran Coupe Review
Small cars generally aren’t the flavour of the month in the luxury landscape, but BMW is working hard to improve their appeal.
The updated BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe renews its fight with the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3/S3 rival, while also providing a sedan version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback range that launched late last year.
Bolder front and rear LED headlights punctuate a revised look underwritten by a 20mm extension in length and 25mm growth in height. It is complemented elsewhere by revised chassis characteristics, a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox, BMW’s latest Operating System 9 software and added specification.
Even the 2 Series name has been tweaked: the ‘i' designation formerly on the end of each model variant (i.e. M235i) – originally to denote electronic fuel injection – is now exclusively reserved for the carmakers electric cars.
Indeed, the 2 Series looks more sophisticated inside and out. However, you can’t help think of what used to be whenever driving the sportiest variant.
How much does the BMW M235 Gran Coupe cost?
The 2025 BMW 2 Series range is available in two different variants from launch: the entry BMW 218 and the BMW M235 xDrive driven here.
An mid-tier BMW 220 variant will join the range from around June.
The front-driven 218 opens pricing at $59,900 while the all-paw M235 is set at $86,600, a $2800 pricing increase over its predecessor – though BMW counters that point with added standard equipment.
At those prices the BMW 2 Series competes quite closely with revamped Audi A3 (from $57,800 plus ORCs) and Audi S3 (from $81,800 plus ORCs) on price, and comfortably undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA range, which starts at $73,200 and climbs well past six figures.
What is the BMW M235 Gran Coupe like inside?
The M235 Gran Coupe feels thoroughly refreshed inside and goes a long way in justifying the incremental pricing increases for 2025.
The interior is resplendent in quality materials at all the contact points, meaningful design cues and excellent craftsmanship all over. There’s a healthy practical bent, too, with decent incidental storage, and the introduction of a new gear shifter, which streamlines the centre console.
Our test car denotes its sportier pedigree with the three colours of BMW’s M division (blue, violet and red) proudly stitched down the middle of its dashboard, while contrasting lighting illuminates through the centre fascia and outer edges of the dash to break up swathes of trim.
The driver positioning of the M235 isn’t as considered as other BMW models; we found ourselves wanting to bunker in about an inch lower than the seat would allow to truly cultivate desired feeling and feedback. We reckon this could be a symptom of the AWD underpinnings.
There is no such complaint around the thick-rimmed leather steering wheel. It feels as though it has been lifted straight from an M3, is meaty in the hands and offers great tactility.
Another gripe is around the lack of physical buttons and switchgear, a trait now highlighted by the removal of the rotary controller and traditional drive modes buttons near the gear selector. Want to engage sport mode? That will now require three separate prods of the touchscreen – not ideal.
In fact, nearly every process now requires multiple steps, and while minimalist layout is aesthetically pleasing, it feels less practical on the move and, ultimately, distracting.
With that said, the larger 10.7-inch curved touchscreen that graces all new 2 Series models is sharp in resolution and easy to use, as well as boasting over-the-air-updates, built-in voice assistant and the ability to download apps, including video streaming services and games that can be viewed and played when stationary. Our only complaint with the screen was an occasional Apple CarPlay stumble, which is quite common with a wireless connection.
How spacious is the BMW M235 Gran Coupe?
Spatially, the BMW 2 Series boasts incrementally larger proportions than before, on account of its increased length and height. The truth is its 4546mm length still feels quite cosy where passenger amenity is concerned.
While there are few complaints around front seat proportions, the rear offers a relatively tight door aperture and tight knee and shoulder proportions. This means leveraging a little one into their seats is a bit of a task when in a rush, and once there, they will be subject to a high-set window line.
That said, there’s enough space for a couple of adults or older children on longer trips, with separate air vents and USB-C ports complementing the area.
Further back, the 430-litre boot area is accessed by quite a tight aperture, and is bordered by bulky walls of fabric, making it a bit prohibitive for stowing items. The area will fit a couple of full-size suitcases or a designer pram at a pinch, and is complete with 40:20:40 split-fold functionality into the second row.
The boot offers a handy level of stowage underneath the floor, but in truth, you’d rather have a spare wheel of some kind rather than an empty space. Instead, a tyre inflation kit is what you shall receive.
— Sam Charlwood
What equipment does the BMW M235 Gran Coupe come with?
The BMW M235 Gran Coupe is said to boast a longer equipment than before for 2025.
Standard items include 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assistant and cornering function, electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar and massaging functions, keyless entry and start, seat warming, steering wheel heating plus Veganza synthetic upholstery.
The updated 2 Series Gran Coupe range also boasts the illuminated ‘Iconic Glow’ grille seen on larger BMW models – the caveat being that early cars missed out on the feature because of production delays. Instead, model produced from March onwards (in Europe) will get it.
On the infotainment front there’s a new 10.7-inch control display with BMW’s latest Operating System 9 software, matched by a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument display. A head-up display is also standard, as well as the usual assortment of wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, plus digital radio and a 12-speaker harman/kardon audio system.
An optional $2700 M Sport Package adds trick M lights, M seat belts and M Sport seats for driver and front passenger.
White paint is standard, while six metallic colours are offered at an optional $1800, or there’s a quartet of BMW Individual hues which add between $3500 and $5000 to the purchase price.
The BMW 2 Series is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty in Australia.
A five year/80,000km service pack will set buyers back $2380, with condition-based servicing intervals loosely projected over 12-month/15,000km.
How safe is the BMW M235 Gran Coupe?
As you’d expect from a German-built car, it’s very safe.
The 2025 2 Series range comes standard with front collision warning with brake intervention, lane change warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning and speed limit information.
The M235 adds steering and lane control assistant, lane keeping assistant with active side collision prevention, cross traffic warning front and rear, evasion assistant and crossroads warning.
There’s also Park Assist functionality and a 360-degree camera as standard, together with front-facing and rear facing camera views offering excellent clarity.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe continues with its five-star ANCAP rating, awarded under 2019 protocols.
What powers the BMW M235 Gran Coupe?
The BMW M235 Gran Coupe once again draws power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder.
An 8kW increase in power ups overall grunt to 233kW, while the 400Nm torque output and 4.9sec 0-100km/h claim remain the same.
Why does the Gran Coupe miss out on BMW’s storming inline six-cylinder engine – as opposed to the traditional 2 Series coupe? It comes down to different platforms; the Gran Coupe sits on an all-wheel drive platform that is originally derived from a front drive Mini. In short, its transverse layout and overall dimensions don’t allow enough space for an inline six.
New to the drivetrain for 2025 is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which promises sharper shifting over the eight-speed torque converter unit that it replaces.
Elsewhere, BMW claims the 2 Series drive has been enhanced by added structural rigidity and an overhauled chassis, with greater agility, steering precision and body control.
New frequency selective shock absorber technology work in concert with adaptive M suspension to purportedly deliver a better rounded drive experience.
And drive it we shall.
What is the BMW M235 Gran Coupe like to drive?
BMW has managed to broaden the dynamic envelope of the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 2025, but we’d stop short of calling it ‘well rounded’ as you would a garden-variety 3 Series.
There’s an undeniably sporty bent from the M235 Gran Coupe from the moment you settle into its bolstered sports seats. The thick-rimmed steering wheel lends a sense of occasion and the engine turns over with a meaningful thrum.
Upon setting off, the flagship Gran Coupe imbues the driver with the kind of feedback you want from a sports sedan: deftly weighted steering, considered weighting of the key controls and a genuine connection with the surface underneath.
A 2670mm wheelbase endows the 2 Series Gran Coupe with a nippy around-town skillset, ensuring it is easy to manage through car parks and tight spaces. However, the smaller footprint isn’t infallible once you leave the bounds of the city: regional roads introduce a harsher ride over sharp edges, lots of coarse-chip feedback as well as ever-present road noise. On a longer journey, these traits can grow quite tiresome.
The counterpoint to this is usually dynamism. Prospective owners will comfortably see past some comfort compromises in the name of cornering prowess. The M235 Gran Coupe delivers on this promise to an extent, with excellent grip and body control and a strong connection with the road underneath. That said, its front-drive origins and 1600kg kerb mean the compromise is less convincing; this being a warm Gran Coupe rather than a hot one.
The other missing feature here is Munich’s glorious inline six engine, a hallmark of any traditional car with an ‘M’ in its name.
Instead, the 2.0-litre four and seven-speed dual-clutch work harmoniously in daily duties, with the exception of a notable lurchiness upon setting off – a trait the previous eight-speed auto successfully evaded.
The four-cylinder percolates confidently and belies its 400Nm torque figure with its breadth of low-end grunt. Another talking point is its inherent efficiency: we managed 8.0L/100km across a 500km loan, and as low as 5.6L/100km during highway proceedings.
Ask as little more of the engine and it responds emphatically. The engine pulls cleanly through the rev range, with peak power materialising from a heady 5750rpm; clearly, it’s happy to rev.
In Sport mode, the engine offers crackles and pops on the overrun, however the whole soundtrack has an inescapable digital veneer.
Again, it’s satisfyingly warm in performance, but it doesn’t command the kind of respect of a Bimmer six of old.
The NRMA’s take on the BMW M235 Gran Coupe
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe takes a positive step for 2025, with a sporty driving skillset, undeniable street presence and more equipment.
Taking a step back, however, it is quite a complicated formula for a small luxury sedan – and it feels that way on-road, asking for quite a bit of compromise around spatial layout and driving dynamics.
In our minds, the garden variety 3 Series is a more convincing fit: similar money, rear-drive, more size and offering a broader dynamic skillet in line with the BMW brief.
What we liked
- Loads of street presence, refined new look
- Four-cylinder engine percolates confidently and belies its outputs
- Decent handling credentials and inherent ease of use
What could be better?
- The four-pot isn’t a match for in-line six fitted to the equivalent 2 Series M240 coupe
- Seven-speed dual clutch auto can occasionally feel lurchy upon take-off, rough ride on Aussie roads
- Minimalist interior is too touchscreen-centric, no spare tyre, squishy rear seat proportions
