The 2023 2-series Gran Coupe has you covered if you really must have a brand-new BMW in your driveway but need to spend as little money as possible. The 2-series GC is a tiny sedan that serves as the German automaker’s entry-level model and has the challenging job of communicating the brand’s attitude without the benefit of a rear-wheel-drive chassis. The 2-series Gran Coupe is built on a front-wheel-drive architecture that was sourced from Mini, unlike the 2-series coupe and 3-series sports sedan. While both of the turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains available—the racier M235i and the fun 228i—offer snappy power and engaging handling, they don’t feel as well-balanced as their stablemates. At least the interior compares favorably to rivals like the Acura Integra and Audi A3 and is almost as luxurious as that of other BMW vehicles.
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has BMW-like handling
The 228i has a dull appearance on the outside. It would be difficult to recognize it as a BMW if not for the fake twin-nostril grilles, which look to be obstructed and direct most of the airflow downward. The Hofmeister kink, a forward notch at the leading edge of the C-pillar that has distinguished BMWs for almost 60 years, is even missing from this car. However, as that design element has been said to indicate rear-wheel drive, its absence may signify a certain level of design fidelity.
Driving the 228i is the best part of it, which is appropriate for a BMW. Without feeling shaky, the steering is precise and quick. The front tires don’t provide a lot of feel, but the car moves in the direction you point it. Despite having two steering effort levels, Comfort mode seems more linear than Sport, which adds an unnatural on-center weightiness. We saw no evidence of torque steer in any mode.
Even with the low-profile 18-inch 225/40R-18 run-flat tires mounted to our test car, the all-wheel-drive 228i xDrive offers a smooth, well-controlled ride that even handles potholes with reasonable ease.
The 228i performs admirably when pushed hard in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains close to Denver, but it lacks the rear-drive BMWs’ playful capacity to balance the handling. Maybe that’s because 58.8% of the 3517-pound weight of the 228i is distributed between its front wheels. Only 52.4 percent of the weight of the modern 330i xDrive does. The 228i’s rear end doesn’t want to step out at all, even though it doesn’t understeer much. Remember that we were using Bridgestone Turanza LS001 all-season tires when evaluating our test car’s 0.85 g of cornering grip and its 176-foot distance from 70 mph to zero. On a hazardous snowy day when many vehicles ended up in ditches, the setup’s less performance-oriented side provided reasonable traction and stability.
2 Series BMW
This automobile is available in two different versions, the 230i with a 255-hp turbo four-cylinder and the M240i with a 382-hp turbo inline-six, so as not to be mistaken with the less performance-oriented four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Even with the standard engine, the vehicle pulls powerfully, has a great sound, and achieves an admirable 31 mpg overall.
The front seats move forward to provide room for the rear seats, which are extremely confined.
In contrast to other recent BMWs that seem to place a greater emphasis on luxury and comfort, the tiny 2 Series coupe and convertible offers razor-sharp handling and a sense of immediacy.
The base 228i features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower, while the top-tier M235i we drove has a fantastic 3.0-liter turbo-six engine with 320 horsepower.
There is plenty of room all around the great front seats, but the back seats are still rather small.
Although the interior trimmings are excellent, using and learning the iDrive unified control system is still a challenge.
With updates for 2017, the base 228i became the 230i and was equipped with a 248-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The 228i xDrive and M235i xDrive 4-door Gran Coupe models that were first offered in 2020 were built on a new, less performance-focused architecture.
Details of the BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe
Pros: Despite being disguised as a BMW, it’s a decent compact car. For a basic sport luxury “coupe,” it is fairly well-balanced and enjoyable to drive.
Cons: It would be easy to refer to it as a spruced-up Mini, but in many ways it resembles its front-driver corporate cousin more than the 2-Series coupe. Costs quickly escalate.
Gordon Kozak
For as long as he can remember, Graham Kozak has been enamored with automobiles (probably before that, too).
Review of the BMW 228i Gran Coupe: A divisive yet compelling entry-level car
The 228i Gran Coupe is a captivating performance thanks to a powerful motor and a well-polished chassis.
Within the Bimmer community, the 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has generated a lot of buzz. It isn’t a question of whether the new Gateway model is a coupe or sedan; the latter is undeniably the case. Instead, because of its front-wheel-drive design, some people are chokeing on their schnitzel. While the X1 and X2 compact SUVs appear to get away with using front-drive platforms, many aficionados believe that a BMW car that isn’t based on rear-wheel drive crosses the line.
The BMW 228i is swift.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard on both 2-series Gran Coupe versions. The M235i’s produces 301 hp compared to the 228i’s 228 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, with all-wheel drive being standard on the M235i and optional on the 228i. The 228i feels swift and eager when driving around town, and at the test track, it produced a quick 5.1-second sprint to 60 mph. However, a brief test drive in the M235i will erase that vehicle from your memory. The M235i accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, making the entry-level vehicle seem mild in comparison. In a side-by-side comparative test, the X2 M35i SUV, which has the identical powerplant, reached 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
The 228i is still produced by BMW?
The 228i xDrive all-wheel-drive subcompact car from BMW and the more potent M235i xDrive were introduced for the 2020 model year. The lineup is unchanged for 2023 and includes the new front-wheel-drive 228i sDrive.
A BMW 228i is from what series?
There are three main model variations of the 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The 228i Gran Coupe has a dynamic rear-wheel drive system and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 228 horsepower. The same engine powers the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, but it also comes standard with BMW’s clever all-wheel drive technology. The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe has performance upgrades created by BMW M, increasing engine output to 301 horsepower.
A BMW 228i is how much?
It is possible to get the 2022 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 228i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) for less than the MSRP of $38,695.
Where are BMW 228i cars made?
Mexico’s San Luis Potosi. The new BMW 2 Series Coupe has begun production at the BMW Group Plant in San Luis Potosi. The brand’s new high-powered sports compact is its first fully realized and operational introduction in Mexico. The San Luis Potosi Plant is the most recent production facility in the company’s extensive global network.
A BMW 2 Series makes a terrific first automobile, right?
For individuals wanting to buy their first automobile and seeking a fast coupe that handles well and is enjoyable to drive without the costs associated with a larger BMW, the BMW 2 Series is a suitable option.
The 2 Series is available in a variety of body styles, and each one has something to offer beginning drivers.
Our favorite is the coupe, which is also a terrific choice for new drivers who want something a little unique for their first vehicle.
The convertible model is also available, and it looks even better with the roof down!
Despite having a slightly less selection of engines than the 1 Series, the original 2 Series (F22) still included two beginner-friendly engines: a 1.5-liter straight-three petrol engine and a 2-liter straight-four diesel engine.
Why is BMW so superior?
Performance and Fashion The bulk of the vehicles have rear-wheel drive and superb handling, making daily driving comfortable and pleasurable and reducing stress associated with commuting. In addition to all of this, businesspeople like BMW because of the brand’s reputation for style and prestige.
Are BMWs trustworthy?
Fortunately, ratings of BMW dependability from several organizations support that excellent reputation: Customer Reports Every BMW in the lineup received a score above average in the 2020 rankings. The i3 electric car and the X6 midsize SUV are BMW’s most reliable models, and the brand as a whole is ranked seventh.
Is purchasing a BMW worthwhile?
When BMW began promoting its cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the 1970s, the company soon grew to become one of the world’s top luxury automobile manufacturers.
BMW has a long history of producing eye-catching vehicles and SUVs that receive high praise from automotive writers.
Both auto fanatics and everyday people who just want the best for their vehicles greatly prize them.
Because they are high-performance luxury vehicles with excellent interiors, a smooth ride, high levels of comfort, and some of the best technological features available, BMWs are a good investment. BMW is a brand that embodies high status, and their cars offer an exceptional driving experience.
The 228i’s engine type.
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower powers the 2016 BMW 228i. The 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged engine in the M235i produces 320 horsepower. Both engines can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
What’s it like to be a BMW owner?
Reasons to Buy a BMW BMWs are renowned for being dependable. You may drive without concern thanks to the transmission and engine’s high quality. BMWs are a terrific ride on the freeway, across the countryside, or in the city due to the CO2 statistics and reasonable fuel economy they give compared to vehicles of a comparable size.
The BMW 2 Series: Is it a genuine BMW?
Since 2014, BMW has been producing a line of C-segment subcompact executive automobiles under the name BMW 2 Series. The 2-door BMW 1 Series models (coupe and convertible) were separated into a different series by BMW, giving rise to the 2 Series.
The rear-wheel drive-based 2 Series was first offered as a 2-door coupe and convertible. A year later, the Active Tourer 5-seat compact MPV body style was added, utilizing the Mini Hatch (F55/56/57unrelated )’s front-wheel drive chassis. The Gran Tourer, a 7-seat variant, was released after this. As a front-wheel drive car based on the 1 Series hatchback and marketed as a 4-door coupe, the Gran Coupefastbacksedan entered the 2 Series family in 2019. The rear-wheel drive, second-generation 2 Series 2-door coupe was introduced by BMW in July 2021.
The 2 Series 2-door coupe’s high-performance variant is the BMW M2. Straight-six turbocharged engines power the F87 coupe, which is the first generation of the M2.
Has the BMW 228i has remote starting?
You can lock and unlock doors, check the status of your vehicle, and more with the handy My BMW App. You can even start your BMW from your compatible mobile device with the optional Remote Engine Start.
The BMW 2 Series is intended for whom?
The BMW 2 Series Coupe is built for speed, but maintenance expenses shouldn’t be prohibitive.
Despite being a brand-new car, the 2 Series Coupe is primarily targeted at experienced drivers, hence the engine lineup consists of conventional petrol and diesel models. All of them have turbochargers to increase economy, and the diesel also has a moderate 48-volt hybrid system.
The 220d diesel is likely to make the most sense for high-mileage, long-distance drivers due to its headline stats of 60.1mpg and 122-132g/km of CO2 emissions. This places it in a middle range for company-car drivers who receive Benefits in Kind (BiK).
The 220i is a fantastic choice if you frequently take shorter journeys or simply enjoy the notion of driving the 2 Series Coupe for fun. It can still achieve up to 44.1 mpg, but due to its high emissions—145 to 149 g/km—which result in a high BiK charge, private customers would be better served.
Since the M240i xDrive is the fastest 2 Series model available until a new BMW M2 is released, it is obviously even thirstier. It boasts a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with numbers of 34.9 mpg and 200 g/km that was taken from the BMW 4 Series. That’s around the same as a sporty hatchback, so operating costs for even this model shouldn’t be excessively high.