2025 BMW 2 Series

The 2 Series is the gateway to BMW ownership, especially for anyone who lives where the roads are tight and twisting. The 2 Series seems made for that kind of scenario. It doesn’t overwhelm with unusable power, but provides a balance of agility and muscle that entertains at every turn. As well as this undeniable driver appeal (so typical of BMW), the 2 Series also adds more than a touch of luxury and technology to the mix.

There are two distinct cars in the 2 Series range — the 2-door coupe and the 4-door Gran Coupe, each with their own engine choices. This might seem odd, and it kinda is. The regular Coupe is based on one platform that accommodates rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the Gran Coupe is based on another. This latter version is set up for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It also forms the basis for some Mini cars, as well as the BMW X1 and X2 subcompact SUVs.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact luxury cars, including the BMW 2 Series.

A few mild tweaks inside and outside result in larger front air intakes for the more powerful Coupe model, different steering wheels, and more color choices. Heated front seats become standard. An update to the infotainment system brings a few controls like cabin temperature onto the touchscreen, or enabling activation through voice commands. A revamped Gran Coupe comes with more power and equipment than before.

We recommend the 228 xDrive Gran Coupe, as it’s still relatively affordable as well as more practical than the 2-door Coupe.

Rivals include the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Acura Integra — all of which are 4-door models. The CLA is pricier, but the other two start below the BMW. A couple of possible left-field alternatives could be the Toyota GR Supra coupe (a joint project with the BMW Z4 and built in Austria), which is more expensive than the 2 Series (except for the M2), or the Mini Cooper Hardtop John Cooper Works priced similarly to the 2.

Before buying a new 2 Series subcompact luxury car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are respectable, slotting between the CLA and A3. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2025 228 xDrive Gran Coupe now enjoys 241 horsepower (13 more than before) — supplied by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This is a decent amount of power for a subcompact car and can dispatch the sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a pleasant 5.8 seconds. That’s quicker than the Audi A3 or Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4Matic. This Gran Coupe variant tends to be popular among buyers.

The thing about any 2 Series is that it’s poised and nimble, as if it were made especially for canyon roads, with quick steering and confidence-inspiring brakes. We also found the ride quality of the Gran Coupe to be surprisingly pliant. Both Gran Coupe variants gain an adaptive M suspension this year. The 2025 M235 xDrive Gran Coupe has a punchy 312 horsepower (up by 10 horses) and needs only 4.7 seconds to hit 60 mph.

The Coupes (rather than the Gran Coupes) have either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. This will make a bigger difference on a track — but on public roads at sensible speeds, we think either model can be hugely enjoyable. We also noticed perceptible differences between the driving modes. And yes, we decided to keep the cars in Sport mode for the sharpened responses. The 230i hits 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, shaving off two tenths with all-wheel drive.

BMW adds an adaptive M Sport suspension to the M240i Coupe, making this model a great enthusiast’s choice without stretching to an M2. It reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds (rear-wheel drive) or 4.1 seconds (all-wheel drive). Those seeking even greater thrills in a small and agile car should check out the M2, which we review separately.

Fuel Economy

The 228 xDrive Gran Coupe should achieve 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Add one mile per gallon for the front-drive 228 sDrive Gran Coupe. The M235 xDrive Gran Coupe ought to manage 27 mpg combined.

The 230i xDrive Coupe (with all-wheel drive) achieves 28 mpg combined. Add another couple of miles per gallon with rear-wheel drive. The M240i Coupe returns 26 mpg combined, regardless of the number of driven wheels.

These figures are in the same kind of ballpark as the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3.

As the most affordable new BMW, the 2025 2 Series still has an upscale cabin with quality materials, and we appreciate the well-considered layout. Space up front is fine. We’ve also found that the seats are comfortable, bringing plenty of support for the sides and under the thighs.

There are four seats in the Coupe, five in the Gran Coupe if you count that little middle seat in the back. The Coupe has just 32.2 inches of rear legroom, which is quite tight. The Gran Coupe is the better option for carrying more than one passenger. In addition to having four doors, it has a couple more inches of legroom in the rear. That’s still not a lot for an adult of average size, however, and rear headroom in either model is hardly plentiful.

The Gran Coupe has a luggage area of 12 cubic feet and its 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats enable some cargo-carrying versatility. The Coupe also has 40/20/40 rear seats, although its trunk space is 10 cubic feet.

Possibly the most noticeable changes inside the 2025 2 Series Coupe are the steering wheels. The 230i gains a twin-spoke version with a polygonal rim. The M240i has a flat-bottomed version with redesigned spokes, a red marking at the 12 o’clock position, and M-specific tri-colored stitching. This latter wheel is optional in the 230i.

Less obvious but no less welcome are standard heated front seats, plus four color choices apiece for either BMW’s SensaTec simulated leather, or the real stuff. A couple of wood trims become available in all Coupes, and carbon fiber trim is offered in the M240.

BMW has also brought multi-colored ambient lighting to the air vents, while migrating controls for climate functions, plus seat and steering wheel heating (where fitted) to the infotainment touchscreen or voice activation.

In our opinion, big grilles only work on big cars, if they work at all. The 2 Series is small and BMW has decided against anything radical here, adopting a mature and fairly conservative look instead. The Gran Coupe is a 4-door model, slightly longer and higher than its predecessor, although its wheelbase remains the same. The Coupe is a proper coupe with two doors and that more classic profile of a (relatively) long nose and short tail. For what it’s worth, we like them both.

An M Sport package brings large front air intakes and a few other details. This is standard on the M240 Coupe and Gran Coupes, optional with the 230 Coupe. A new M Sport Professional package, optional with both Coupe engines, includes a black rear spoiler as well as upgraded brakes with red or blue calipers. There’s a couple of new 19-inch alloy wheel designs, while paint choices increase with the addition of Vegas Red and Skyscraper Grey metallic finishes, and Zandvoort Blue — once available solely with the M2 — becomes an option for the M240.

Engines
Although BMW makes some great 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engines, even the 4-cylinder units deliver their goods in a pleasing manner. The ones in the 2025 2 Series seem to have a little more muscle than their stated specifications (BMW tends to do that).

BMW Curved Display
This feature includes a configurable 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen for other functions — all in one curved unit. It brings a great high-tech feel to the cabin.

Performance Control
This is BMW terminology for brake-based torque vectoring. It means the outside rear wheel goes around a bend faster than its counterpart on the inside, making cornering as efficient and stable as possible. It’s standard across the 2 Series range.

Premium package
This options bundle brings cool stuff like adaptive LED headlights, head-up display, ambient cabin lighting, keyless entry, and a heated steering wheel.

Parking Assistance package
Sure, the 2 Series is small, but we’d say extra help with parallel and perpendicular spots is always welcome. This optional function steers the 2 Series into and out of parking spaces. It also includes a 360-degree camera system, which we find especially helpful.

Harman Kardon audio
It’s an $875 option, but we think this surround-sound setup provides excellent aural enjoyment when it’s not possible to click the 2 Series into Sport mode, rev the engine and listen to the music of the exhaust system.

The 4-door 2025 228 Gran Coupes have a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is the setup in the 228 sDrive, while all-wheel drive is standard in the 228 xDrive.

The 2025 M235 xDrive Gran Coupe also has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. This one generates 312 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels.

The 2-door 2025 230i Coupe employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This goes to the rear wheels. Unless it’s a 230i xDrive Coupe, in which case there’s an all-wheel-drive system in the mix.

A turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine propels the 2025 M240i with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque going to either the rear wheels, or all four if there’s an xDrive suffix.

All 2 Series Coupe models have 8-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2 Series Gran Coupe models use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Anyone seeking a manual transmission should check out the high-performance M2, reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. Roadside assistance is included for that period, but with unlimited mileage. Scheduled maintenance is free for three years or 36,000 miles, which is less typical.

Safety Ratings

This generation of 2 Series Gran Coupe had been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the institute’s second-highest accolade. In an updated test, the car still took a top score of Good. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.