BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé

Summary

First appearing at the 2019 Los Angeles motor show, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is essentially a saloon version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback.

Arriving on UK roads in Summer 2020, the 2 Series Gran Coupé range consists of three models – the entry-level Sport, the mid-range M Sport, and the range-topping M235i xDrive performance model, which Parkers describes as a “rocketship”. Customers are able to choose between petrol and diesel variants.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has had a generally positive reception from the UK media, reviewers often commenting that the saloon has retained the impressive build quality and ride comfort of the 1 Series but with an extra 50 litres of boot space.

The Gran Coupé is also more generous with legroom in the rear than its key rival, the Mercedes-Benz CLA, though both models struggle with rear headroom due to their low roof lines. “Those 6ft and over will struggle to sit up straight in the back”, explains Auto Trader.

Like many models in the BMW range, journalists remain divided over the Gran Coupé’s front-end styling, which Carbuyer calls “stylish” and Autocar labels “contrived and awkward”.

Where reviewers do find broad consensus is with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé’s most prominent drawback – it will only appeal to a small audience, “positioned as a niche-filler appealing to those wanting a practical four-seater, but don’t want the more expensive BMW 3 Series“, Car Keys explains.

As of January 2024, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 64%. It scores well for reliability and CO₂ emissions, as well as its positive media reviews, but loses points for high running costs.

More BMW ratings, reviews, news and features

2 Series Gran Coupé highlights

Refined and comfortable cabin
Spacious boot
Smooth range of petrol and diesel engines

2 Series Gran Coupé lowlights

BMW’s polarising grille design
Expensive optional extras
Rivals have more rear headroom

Key specifications

Body style: Compact saloon
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £33,150 on-road

Launched: Summer 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d M Sport
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe might be another exercise in niche-filling, but you can’t say that it hasn’t been a well-executed one. Those drivers who find the 1 Series too, well, ordinary and the standard 2 Series Coupé too cramped could well find themselves swayed by the in-the-middle Gran Coupé.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a good car, but will only appeal to a small audience. It’s just about big enough to be considered family transport, but its coupe design brings compromises on rear space and practical load-lugging ability.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Its gorgeous slinky roofline means there’s less head room for tall rear passengers – those 6ft and over will struggle to sit up straight in the back.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Whether or not you find the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé visually attractive is an individual matter, but we find its styling contrived and awkward. These attributes are married to lax body control that fails to deliver the precision or finesse for which BMW coupés are known.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“Something in the back of your mind may be telling you it’s not a thoroughbred BMW in the traditional sense of the word, but driving it confirms that is exactly what it is.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The regular 2-series Gran Coupe variant has most of the strengths of the 1-series, minus a bit of its rear headroom, and with some extra swagger in its style.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic M235i
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW M235i Gran Coupe is a really rather attractive package. It’s both easy to live with and offers great performance and an enjoyable driving experience as well. While the styling won’t please all tastes, this is a great affordable performance model.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 220d
Score: 8 / 10
“While many might say this is a new car that BMW didn’t really need to add to its range, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers plenty of appeal. Its looks might be controversial, but what can’t be queried are the levels of technology and the great driving experience.”
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Carbuyer+

Score: 7.8 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is good to drive and represents a stylish and upmarket alternative to a hatchback.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door coupe with a fine interior and a great infotainment system. Space in the back is average, though, and it looks a bit awkward.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 220d M Sport
“Good-looking with strong styling and fine handling, the 2GC is in some ways the pick of BMW’s small car range.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Composed, comfortable and quick, but the 2-series Gran Coupe is short on dynamic flair.”
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Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Perhaps one of the most encouraging things about the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is that it doesn’t cost the earth and should be a coupé that finally makes it onto fleet lists – with the added benefit of being a suitable antidote to the needless SUV stampede.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a little bit of a guilty pleasure. It might look a bit odd and it’s not as fun to drive as a regular 2 Series Coupe, but the interior is excellent and we don’t think it’s particularly expensive, either.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is a good effort and in the, admittedly small, pool of small four-door coupes, it’s the best to drive of the bunch – if you can live with the looks.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic 220i M Sport
Score: 6 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes across as a bit underwhelming. I’d choose a 1 Series if I wanted a BMW hatchback, or a Honda Civic if I wanted something a little left-field and high-quality. Actually, I’d probably have a Skoda Octavia vRS and end up with a better all-rounder for less money. And the best part is that choosing any of these cars wouldn’t make me feel I’d paid over the odds for a bit of marketing spiel.”
Author: Alex Robbins
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Properly premium but oddly unlovable.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“As good as front-driven BMWs get, but arguably not as stylish as its sub-niche requires.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé delivers a similarly fantastic blend of driver appeal and ride comfort to that offered by the 1 Series, along with a great interior.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 72%

Notes on safety

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Euro NCAP scores are based on the 1 Series hatchback’s results from 2019. Euro NCAP conducted additional tests and reviewed relevant data to verify that the 2 Series would perform in a similar fashion to the 1 Series in all tests.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 204
Average repair cost: £628.90
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The BMW 2 Series has a very good reliability rating of 74%, according to workshop data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score covers all versions of the 2 Series (Coupé, Convertible, Gran Coupé, Active Tourer and Grand Tourer) for both the current generation and previous models.

The most expensive repair bills tend to be gearbox-related, and those are expensive with an average bill of more than £2,300. Fortunately, they’re not too common. Fuel system faults have an average repair cost of about £1,300, so look out for those as well. The most frequently-seen issues to date relate to the electrical system, with an average repair bill of about £600.

If you own a BMW 2 Series, or are interested in buying a used 2 Series model of any sort, make sure that any used car warranty you buy covers these problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	46 mpg	C	36 – 50 mpg	B – D
Diesel models	58 mpg	B	55 – 61 mpg	A – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	141 g/km	B	130 – 177 g/km	A – C
Diesel models	126 g/km	A	119 – 134 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	22	A	17 – 36	A – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£167	A
Year 2	£445	A
Year 3	£743	A
Year 4	£1,014	A
Year 5	£1,347	A
Overall	£3,716	A

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has rather average fuel consumption numbers but excellent service and maintenance costs, according to running cost data exclusively provided to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

BMW’s servicing schedules are generally mileage-based rather than date-based, so the cost and frequency of servicing can vary significantly depending on your driving.