An interesting vehicle is the BMW M235i Gran Coupe. It promises the performance and style that fans have come to expect from the M badge—well, almost—as the top-of-the-line model in the 2 Series Gran Coupe portfolio. To find out if it fulfils that promise or just fits into the increasingly crowded “sporty sedan” market, we climbed behind the wheel.
Design: A Coupe That’s Not Quite a Coupe
The M235i is actually a four-door sedan with coupe-like styling, despite the name “Gran Coupe.” It has a smooth, fastback silhouette thanks to its aggressive front fascia, frameless windows, and low roofline. Sporty air intakes and slim LED headlights flank BMW’s distinctive kidney grille, which is broad and striking.
A discrete lip spoiler, two exhaust outlets, and a short trunk lid around the back all allude to performance without going overboard. With its 18-inch or optional 19-inch wheels, the M235i appears poised and ready to take off.
Interior: Tech Meets Sporty Sophistication
Step inside, and the M235i Gran Coupe greets you with a cabin that balances luxury and sport. M-branded seats offer strong bolstering, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel feels excellent in hand. The dashboard is clean, with high-quality materials and ambient lighting adding to the premium feel.
Tech-wise, it’s packed:
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10.25-inch touchscreen with iDrive 7.0
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10.25-inch digital driver display
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Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
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Gesture control (optional)
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Harman Kardon sound system (optional)
Rear seat space is snug—especially for taller passengers—but acceptable for a car in this class. Trunk space is decent at 15.1 cubic feet, which makes it fairly practical.
Performance: Turbocharged Confidence
The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that powers the BMW M235i Gran Coupe produces 301 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Because it is paired with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission, stability and traction are consistently excellent.
Performance Stats:
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0–60 mph: ~4.6 seconds
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Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
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Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
While it may not have the linear punch of a traditional BMW inline-6, the power delivery is urgent and immediate. Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent, and the exhaust note has a purposeful growl that adds to the drama—especially in Sport mode.
Handling: Agile, But Not Pure RWD
Here’s where the M235i might divide BMW purists. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive 2 Series Coupe (G42), this Gran Coupe rides on a front-wheel-drive-based architecture—a platform shared with MINI and other BMW front-drive models.
That said, BMW engineers have done an excellent job dialing in sporty handling:
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The xDrive system sends torque rearward when needed, reducing understeer.
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The M Sport suspension keeps body roll in check, though the ride is firm.
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Steering is sharp and responsive, if a bit numb on center.
In spirited driving, the M235i feels composed and nimble—especially in corners. It’s not as tail-happy as a traditional M car, but it delivers plenty of grip and confidence.
Driving Experience: Fast, Fun, and Forgiving
The M235i Gran Coupe has a true sporty edge and is a fun daily driver on both city streets and back roads. It’s sophisticated without losing its youthful feel, quick without being overwhelming, and useful without being dull.
Its ability to balance performance and versatility is where it really excels. You can comfortably commute home later that same day after carving up a canyon road in the morning. Although sporty, the suspension never feels harsh, and the cabin is well-insulated from wind and road noise.
Should You Buy One?
If you’re looking for a practical performance sedan with a premium badge, the BMW M235i Gran Coupe checks a lot of boxes:
✅ Sporty design
✅ Solid performance
✅ Everyday usability
✅ AWD confidence
However, if you’re a BMW traditionalist who craves rear-wheel drive dynamics and the mechanical feel of older M cars, this may not fully satisfy you. It’s not a full M car, after all—it’s an M Performance model, which lands between a regular BMW and a true M machine
Final Verdict
The BMW M235i Gran Coupe delivers style, speed, and technology in a compact, coupe-like sedan. While it doesn’t offer the pure rear-drive thrills of its coupe cousin, it still provides enough performance to make daily drives exciting. It may not wear a full M badge, but it certainly earns its place in the M Performance family.
For those shopping in the realm of Audi S3s and Mercedes-AMG A35s, the M235i Gran Coupe is absolutely worth a test drive.
