2025 BMW 230i (G42) | UK Review

On PistonHeads, the M2 is inevitably the focus of the 2 Series range. It’s the quickest and pointiest offering, of course, but also the only 2 Series with a manual gearbox option, the basis for the special editions, and the entry point in 2025 to full-fat M car ownership. That entry point is further away than anyone would like it to be, but still – even if the junior M car isn’t so junior anymore, it’s always going to get a lot of attention on PH. 

But there’s more to the 2 Series than just the M2, and in a world so short of rear-drive, two-door coupes, they certainly warrant more than a mention. There’s the M240i, for starters, which is fantastic, and probably unfairly lives in the M car’s shadow – xDrive and all. Then there are the non-M cars; where not so long ago that would have meant all manner of engine options, from three-cylinder to diesel, now it’s just a 2.0-litre. There’s a choice of 184hp, 220i, or this 245hp 230i. Recently revised with new materials, paints, wheels, and the introduction of Operating System 8.5 to BMW’s smallest coupe, a revisit was long overdue. 

Especially as, to these eyes at least, the ordinary 2 Series are probably the more stylish variants. Maybe not quite the praise it would once have been, but where M versions can seem overly pumped up and pugnacious, there’s something quite charming about an unadorned, slimline BMW coupe. The proportions are good, the kidney grilles seem about right for the size of the car, and there’s not a BMW out there that won’t be improved for a new-for-this-facelift slathering of Portimao Blue. Sure, some of the details are still a bit odd, but if we accept that all the 2 and 1 Series Coupes have been more two-door saloons than true coupes – as well as never truly great to look at – then this latest G42 scores pretty well. Or perhaps all the really bad big BMWs have skewed judgement of the not-so-big ones. 

The 2 Series interior is a brilliant mix of old and new. There are manually adjustable, cloth sports seats, which feel like a real novelty in 2025, dropping derriere to the deck in a way that very few others do. There’s the dramatic dual screen that melds instrument cluster and infotainment into one giant in-car iMax, and that’s bound to impress in a car that’s less than £40k in 220i form. The vibe is definitely of those minimalist penthouses from social media we’re all meant to aspire to, which is usually disastrous for functionality. However, here there’s the best of both worlds, because it also comes with some BMW usability: the older wheel, iDrive, and mode button arrangement is welcome. It means changes you make regularly, like volume and drive setting, are easily adjusted. 

While it would be great to report a sub-M 2 Series with a fantastic engine, that’s not really the case. The 2.0-litre B48 might be two-thirds of a 3.0-litre B58 – raved about in everything from Supra to Plus Six – but it remains relatively plain. Torque is plentiful, lag is minimal, and the match-up with the eight-speed auto is slick. It’s inoffensive, let’s put it that way, fast and efficient enough without ever being especially memorable. The most abiding impression is of how nice it is to deploy 245hp without concern for the front wheels; however good hot hatches are, there’s nothing to match that innate balance of rear wheels powering and front wheels turning. It all feels very sophisticated for what’s ultimately a relatively humble performance car by modern standards. 

That general sense of maturity characterises much about the driving experience, some way from the fast and furious M cars. Grip and traction are really strong, the brakes can’t really be faulted in typical use, and broadly speaking, the 2 Series controls its masses well. Indeed, at 1,600kg it must rank as one of the sveltest BMWs on sale, and it’s lovely not to be forced into configuring every element of the car. There’s some synthetic sound and equally artificial weight to add to proceedings, but that’s about it. 

Turn-in isn’t M car immediate, though it is good, wheel and axle nicely in sync as well as benefitting from less weight over the nose. The relative modesty of the dimensions makes it suitable for B roads in a way that bigger BMWs just aren’t. And that feeling through the seat of being pushed around the corner rather than pulled remains a pleasure. A subtle one, but a pleasure nonetheless.

The 230i stops some way short of being an ultimate driving machine, though. Or whatever the BMW phrase is now. The passive M Sport suspension is good, for example, though nothing more than that. It can be tad brusque and bouncy at town speeds, only to be found wanting a little when really stretched, heaving a bit over undulations. For the majority of users for the majority of time, this is good – secure, accurate, and comfy enough. But it goes to show how clever those M cars are, heavier and more complex while also plusher and better controlled. 

The optional 19-inch wheels here probably didn’t help the 2 Series’ cause; the best ride and handling balance is likely to be on the standard 18s. For those that care, of course – most will surely prefer the extra attitude of the big wheels over better B-road ability. As it is, this 230i is more than sorted enough. This sounds like damning it with faint praise, but there really aren’t many cars out there that score so consistently well across the board. From the interior quality to the refinement, the performance to the boot space, there’s very little to fault – it just misses that one aspect to make it compelling. 

Which, in truth, is probably exactly how a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder BMW 2 Series should be. It’s good to drive, lovely to be in and will likely be a cinch to own, albeit with clear scope to up the excitement a bit further. So when the time comes to upgrade, it will only seem logical to move up the 2 range; there’s a lot of great stuff here you wouldn’t want to give up.

Assuming, of course, that it’s the 230i that’s moved up from. In a world where nothing really like the 2 Series – front-engined, rear-drive, two seats, £40k – exists anymore, the closest rival to the 230i is probably the M240i xDrive. The one with the smarter chassis, turbo straight-six, and M Performance goodies. While £7k more at list, a PCP deal through BMW for an M240i is currently only a tenner more a month with all other conditions identical. And there can’t be many who wouldn’t pay that. So while the 230i is a great introduction to the world of rear-wheel drive, ‘proper’ BMW motoring – and certainly with lower running costs than a 3.0-litre version – the allure of a big six for not very much more a month might be hard to resist.  

Engine: 1,998cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 245@5000-6500rpm
Torque: 295
0-62mph: 5.9sec
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,600kg
MPG: 42.8
CO2: 155g/km
Price: £41,028.33 (price as standard; price as tested £48,398.34 including Portimao Blue paint for £595, 19-inch Style 995 wheels for £700, Comfort Pack (Adaptive LED Headlights, Comfort Access, Storage for wireless charging) for £1,715, Sun protection glass for £350, Folding wing mirrors with auto-dimming for £300, Heated steering wheel for £185, M Sport brakes with dark blue calipers for £590, M Sport package pro (Sport auto transmission with paddles, BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line, M Sport seat belts, HiFi Loudspeaker audio, M Sport spoiler,  BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line with extended contents) for £1,850. Price correct as of 23/01/2025)