Text by Tom Appel
2025 BMW M235 xDrive
Specs
Class: Premium Sporty/Performance Car
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Color: Thundernight Metallic
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 147
Real-world fuel economy: 24.8 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | C+ |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 312-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | DCT automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 24/33/27 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $49,500 (not including $1175 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($650), Driving Assistance Professional package ($1700), M Performance Package ($2550), Premium Package ($1600), Technology Package ($1500), heated steering wheel ($200), universal garage-door opener ($200), interior cameras ($100)
Price as tested: $59,175
Pros and Cons
The great: Fun to drive, premium feel
The good: decent fuel economy, roomy front-row
The not so good: Cramped rear-seat accommodations, pricey options
Review
Twentieth-century psychologist Carl Jung spoke often of the duality of man. General speaking, his point was that people often answer to conflicting needs and desires, resulting in personalities characteristics that are good and bad.
One wonders what Dr. Jung would have thought of the 2025 BMW 2-Series.
BMW 2-Series
Theoretically Conflicted by two levels of “duality,” BMW’s smallest U.S.-market cars would seem ideal candidates for some couch time with Jung, but we really can’t find a downside to the car’s potential identity crises, save for some confusing model-name gymnastics.
Coupe versus Sedan
Here’s the deal: BMW’s 2-Series car lineup is comprised of two very different vehicles. Based on the maker’s popular 3-Series car, the subcompact 2-Series Coupe features rear-drive architecture and engines mounted longitudinally along the vehicles axis. This drivetrain arrangement is typical of the brand.
Gran Coupe
But, the 2-Series Gran Coupe, which despite being branded a coupe is actually a small sedan, is built on front-drive underpinnings and features transversely situated engines. The Gran Coupe shares its “UKL2” architecture with a number of MINI models. MINI, by the way, is a division of BMW.
Trim Levels
To ensure that consumers are thoroughly baffled by the 2-Series model portfolio, Coupes are offered in 230i, sporty M240i, and super-sporty M2 variants. While Gran Coupes are sold in 228 and M235 trim. For 2025, Coupe base prices range from $40,775 to $66,675.
The Gran Coupe is not offered in range-topping “M” trim, but still offers consumers a compelling formula of fun—and even value.
Prices
Here’s what the 2025 2-Series Gran Coupe lineup looks like:
228 xDrive ($42,775)
M235 xDrive ($50,675)
Engines
Power for both models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four. For 2025, the engine produces 241 horsepower in the 228 (up 13 from 2024) and 312 in the M235 (up 11). Both cars employ a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch) automatic transmission for ’25, replacing a conventional 8-speed automatic. No manual transmission is offered. Both versions of the Gran Coupe come standard with BMW’s xDrive AWD system. Per BMW, a front-drive version (non xDrive) of the 228 will be added to lineup for 2026, presumably at a lower price.
Sporty M235
Though there is no pure M model in the Gran Coupe lineup, the M235 does offer a healthy does of additional sportiness. A sport suspension, bigger wheels and tires, upgraded brakes, and unique exterior and cabin trim are part of the package.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 M235 in Thundernight Metallic. Including several option groups and destination charge our test car came to $59,175.
Design
As part of the 2-Series Gran Coupe’s update for 2025, the exterior design was given a complete makeover. We applaud BMW’s restrained use of rigid profile lines and sharp body creases. To our eyes the small sedan looks both sleek and modern, and still very much like a BMW.
The same can be said for the interior. The cabin is clean, up to date, upscale feeling, and airy feeling thanks to a generous amount of glass area. Our car’s leather, suede, and aluminum trim came off as both premium and sporty. Build quality is apparently excellent, in the tradition of pricey German cars.
Connectivity
And while we found the console-mounted gear selector (see pic below) a little awkward to operate, most other operations handled via physical switchgear or touchscreen were simple enough to execute.
Room and Comfort
The cabin is roomy up front, and this large editor found entering and exiting the car simple enough. The firmly supportive seats are appropriate for sporty fun, and likely comfortable on long trips.
The rear seat isn’t nearly so roomy. Putting the coupe in Gran Coupe, the M235’s rear-seat accommodations are best reserved for smaller and more agile passengers. This vehicle is not a 4-adults to dinner kind of ride.
Power and Performance
But that lack of passenger space is soon forgotten when the M235 hits the road. Throttle response is excellent, and the small turbocharged engine exudes a delightful chorus as the throttle is applied. There’s all sorts of power available, even from a stop, and the new DCT transmission snicks off satisfying shifts in a timely fashion. Despite the power, we averaged a completely reasonable 25 mpg in mostly routine driving. Note though that BMW would have feel your Gran Coupe a steady diet of pricey premium gas.
And contrary to a popular ding on contemporary BMW’s our test car served up plenty of authentic steering feel. There’s plenty of stopping power, in part courtesy of the M235’s high-performance 4-piston front brakes.
Ride and Handling
The M235’s ride is on the firm side, and entirely appropriate to this small sedan’s performance profile. Still, we recommend taking the car for a long test drive to be sure you want this much “road feel” in a daily drive. We’re cool with the ride, you may not me.
Visibility
We have one complaint about the Gran Coupe, and it’s a first for us. The car’s dash surface is punctuated with LED lights, which go a long way towards spiffing up the interior during nighttime driving. The ambient lights, however, can be seen in the passenger-side rearview mirror, to some extent obscuring visibility. This driver found the rearview mirror nearly useless when backing up in dark driveways and parking lots, as the bright LED reflection completely obscured the outside view.
2-Series versus 3-Series
One popular complaint about the 2-Series Gran Coupe is that it is too close in price to BMW’s 3-Series sedan, which is not only larger, but is also built on more brand-traditional rear-drive architecture.
Per our calculator, base model to base model ($42,775 versus $47,125), the Gran Coupe comes in $4350 less expensive than the 3-Series, and is equipped with standard AWD, which the larger sedan is not. We think the value is there.
Value
Yes, equipped as our M235 was, BMW’s smallest sedan can seem pricey, but if you appreciate the driving experience, the sporty Gran Coupe may well be worth the while. It’s good looking, rewarding to drive, and feels impressively solid. If your budget allows, also test drive the more-traditional 3-Series, but you may find the smaller, easier-to-park, less-expensive 2-Series Gran Coupe is the way to go. Doctor Jung would approve.
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2025 BMW M235 xDrive Pictures
Click below for enlarged images