BMW is doing something kinda weird with the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Usually, when a car company updates a model midway through its life, they swap some plastic bumpers, maybe add a new screen, and call it a day. Not this time. Code-named the F74, this "new" generation is technically a massive overhaul of the existing bones, but honestly, it feels like a whole different animal once you actually sit in the thing.
It’s small. Let’s just get that out of the way. If you’re looking for a cavernous family hauler, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want something that fits in a tight city parallel spot while still making you feel like you’ve actually "made it," this is the gateway drug to the M brand.
What’s Actually New Under the Hood?
Most people think "entry-level" means "slow." That’s a mistake. The 2025 2 Series Gran Coupe lineup—specifically the 228 xDrive and the rowdy M235 xDrive—uses a heavily updated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. BMW engineers messed with the combustion cycle and the intake ports. The result? The base 228 now pushes 241 horsepower. That’s a decent jump from the old car.
If you spring for the M235, you're looking at 312 horsepower. Interestingly, the torque stays at 295 lb-ft, but it hits differently. It’s punchy. You feel it in your lower back when you merge onto the highway. The biggest change, though, isn't the power. It’s the gearbox. BMW ditched the old eight-speed automatic for a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Purists might whine about losing a gear, but the DCT shifts are crisp. Like, "bolt-action rifle" crisp. It changes the whole vibe of the car from a luxury commuter to something that actually wants to play. You’ve got these mechanical sounds—real ones, mostly—filtering into the cabin that remind you it’s a BMW.
The Death of the i
You might notice something missing on the trunk lid. The "i" is gone. It used to stand for Einspritzung (fuel injection), back when that was a fancy new feature in the 70s. Since everything is fuel-injected now, and BMW is using "i" for their electric cars like the i4 and iX, the 2025 models are just the 228 and M235. It cleans up the badge, but it’ll take some getting used to for the Bimmer-heads.
Inside the Curved Display
Step inside and the first thing you’ll notice is that the dashboard looks like it was stolen from a much more expensive 7 Series. It’s dominated by the BMW Curved Display running Operating System 9. It’s beautiful. It’s also a bit polarizing because almost all the physical buttons are gone.
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Do you like using a touchscreen to adjust your fan speed? Because that’s your life now.
BMW tries to make up for the lack of buttons with "QuickSelect" logic. Basically, they want to reduce the number of taps it takes to get to your heated seats or navigation. It works better than most systems, but honestly, I still miss a tactile volume knob that isn't a tiny roller on the steering wheel. The cabin materials have seen a massive glow-up, too. You can get "Veganza" upholstery, which is BMW’s fancy name for vegan leather. It’s surprisingly soft. It doesn't feel like that cheap "pleather" from the early 2000s.
The ambient lighting is another story. It’s everywhere. It wraps around the cabin and even glows through some of the trim pieces. At night, it feels less like a car and more like a high-end lounge in Berlin.
Handling the F74: Is it Still a Driver's Car?
This is where things get controversial. The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is front-wheel-drive biased. In the world of BMW enthusiasts, that’s usually enough to start a riot. But here’s the reality: 90% of people driving this car won’t care which wheels are doing the pushing because the xDrive all-wheel-drive system is so proactive.
BMW increased the rigidity of the chassis. They updated the anti-roll bar mounts. They even threw in some new shock absorber technology that supposedly smooths out the high-frequency bumps without making the car feel like a boat.
- The Steering: It’s heavier than the old car, which is good. It feels more connected.
- The Agility: Because it’s relatively light (for a modern car), it darts into corners.
- The M Sport Package: If you get the 228, just get the M Sport package. It adds the Adaptive M Suspension, which is the "magic sauce" for making this car livable on potholed city streets while still being firm enough for a canyon run.
There’s a specific feature called "Sport Boost." If you pull and hold the left shift paddle, the car drops into the lowest possible gear and cranks all the settings to 11 for a few seconds. It’s perfect for passing that slow-moving truck on a two-lane road. It’s gimmicky, sure, but it’s a blast to use.
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Comparing the 228 vs. M235
| Feature | 228 xDrive | M235 xDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 312 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 5.8 seconds | 4.7 seconds |
| Exhaust | Tucked away | Quad-exit tips |
| Grille | Vertical bars | Horizontal M-style bars |
The M235 isn't just faster; it looks meaner. It gets those quad exhaust tips that used to be reserved for full-blown M cars like the M3. It’s a bit of "stolen valor" in the eyes of some, but man, does it look good from the back.
Addressing the Space Issue
We have to talk about the back seat. It’s tight. If you’re over six feet tall, your head is going to be intimate with the headliner. The "Gran Coupe" name implies a sloping roofline, which looks sleek from the outside but eats into the headroom.
The trunk is surprisingly deep, though. You can fit a couple of full-sized suitcases in there without a struggle. It’s a car designed for a young professional, a couple, or maybe someone whose kids have already moved out. It is not a "stuff the whole squad in for a road trip" kind of vehicle.
Safety and Tech Overload
BMW packed this thing with sensors. It has the Parking Assistant as standard, which can literally park the car for you while you sit there and contemplate how much technology has taken over our lives. But the real win is the "Back-Up Assistant." It remembers the last 150 feet you drove forward and can autonomously reverse the exact same path. If you’ve ever pulled into a narrow, winding driveway and realized you can’t turn around, this feature is a literal lifesaver.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is that it’s just a "rebadged Mini." While it shares some platform architecture with Mini (which BMW owns), the tuning is completely different. The way the suspension rebounds, the weight of the steering, and the integration of the xDrive system are all uniquely BMW. It feels more substantial. It feels more "German" in its solidity.
Another myth? That you're better off buying a used 3 Series. Sure, a used 3 Series is bigger and rear-wheel drive. But you won’t get the iDrive 9 system, the updated safety tech, or the peace of mind of a fresh warranty. For a lot of buyers, the tech and the new-car smell outweigh the "drifting" potential of an older chassis.
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The Reality of the Market
The competition is stiff. You’ve got the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3. The Mercedes is all about flash and "wow" factor with its screens. The Audi is the understated, logical choice. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sits right in the middle—it’s more aggressive to drive than the Benz and more tech-forward than the Audi.
Is it perfect? No. The removal of physical buttons is a genuine annoyance. The rear seat is cramped. The pricing, especially when you start checking boxes for the M235, can get uncomfortably close to a base 3 Series or even a 4 Series.
But for the person who wants a "proper" luxury brand with a punchy engine and a footprint that doesn't make driving in a city a nightmare, it hits a very specific sweet spot.
Actionable Next Steps for Buyers
If you’re actually considering putting one of these in your driveway, don't just look at the online configurator.
- Test the Seats: BMW offers several seat types. The M Sport seats are fantastic for holding you in place, but if you’re "of a certain width," they might feel a bit too snug. Sit in them for at least 15 minutes.
- Toggle the OS 9: Spend some time with the screen while the car is parked. Try to find the climate controls and the radio presets. If you find it infuriating, the tech might be a dealbreaker for you.
- Check the 228 vs. M235 ride quality: The M235 comes with 19-inch wheels (or even 20s) and a stiffer setup. On bad roads, it can be harsh. The 228 with the standard suspension is much more forgiving for a daily commute.
- Look at the Lease Rates: Historically, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has had some of the most aggressive lease programs in the BMW lineup. It often makes way more sense to lease this model than to buy it outright, especially given how fast car tech is moving right now.
The 2025 model year represents a significant leap forward for BMW’s smallest four-door. It’s more powerful, looks sharper, and brings high-end tech down to a more accessible price point. Just make sure your friends in the back seat aren't too tall.