Based on Kelley Blue Guide (KBB), BMW has a mean transaction value of over $70,000, positioning it as one of the vital costly automotive manufacturers in the US. In actual fact, as highlighted in an article final month, a number of the Bavarian OEM’s autos, such because the i7 M70 and the XM Label, can command costs as much as $200,000—a sum that’s 2.5 instances the median family earnings in America.
Having stated that, this doesn’t imply that BMW neglects extra accessible market segments. Finally, $200,000 autos are area of interest merchandise and can’t solely maintain a premium model. Quantity primarily comes from $50,000-$80,000 autos (e.g., 3 Collection/X3). And on this article we’ll study the 5 most inexpensive BMWs and the proposition they provide.
228 Gran Coupe
The least costly BMW on sale in the present day is the front-wheel-drive 228 Gran Coupe, beginning at $39,600. It’s not precisely probably the most fun-to-drive or luxurious Bimmer, however it nonetheless gives a refined driving expertise with ample facilities and model cachet to justify its price ticket over high-end sedans from mass-market manufacturers like Honda, Toyota and Hyundai. Apart from, inside the premium section, the 228 GC really undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class ($44,400) and the Lexus IS ($41,610), although the Audi A3 ($38,200) stays extra attainable.
230i Coupe
Sitting above the 228 GC is the 230i Coupe — at $41,200. This two-door, rear-wheel-drive sports activities automobile is good for these looking for a cheaper different to the $68,200 M2. It’s notably light-weight, agile, and pretty fast, with a 0–60 mph time of lower than 5.5 seconds. It does, nonetheless, typically discover itself overshadowed by icons such because the Ford Mustang ($31,920) and the Mazda MX-5 Miata ($29,350). Working example: the Mustang has been America’s best-selling sports activities automobile, whereas the MX-5 received the WhatCar? 2025 Finest Sports activities Automobile for Worth award.
X1 xDrive28i
BMW’s most inexpensive SUV is the X1 xDrive28i, which has an MSRP of $41,350. It includes a 241-horsepower engine, normal all-wheel drive, and a luxurious, spacious cabin with iDrive 9. Some superior options like lively cruise management, panoramic moonroof, and wi-fi charging are non-compulsory extras. Moreover, the X1 is predicated on the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform quite than the CLAR platform, and that may deter some BMW fanatics. As but, the general package deal continues to be robust sufficient to make it a number one contender in a section that additionally contains the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class ($43,000)/GLB-Class ($45,800), the Audi Q3 ($39,800), and the Lexus UX ($37,715)/NX ($42,140).
X2 xDrive 28i
The X2 is basically the coupe variant of the X1, thus, its principal promoting proposition is design, for which there’s a premium of $1,500. Whereas this value distinction is negligible, most shoppers don’t contemplate it worthwhile as a result of the X2’s visible enchantment comes at the price of practicality. Certainly, whereas BMW delivered 27,306 X1s final yr, it managed to ship simply 3,619 X2s. Nonetheless, with the X4 being discontinued and the X6 beginning at $75,100, the X2 fills a strategic hole in BMW’s product vary.
330i Sedan
The most well-liked (and commercially profitable) mannequin on the checklist is the three Collection, priced at $45,950. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter engine that generates 255 horsepower and may speed up from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The all-wheel-drive variant prices a further $2,000 and is faster off the road, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Keep in mind, the three Collection is inherently extra dynamic than the X1, the X2, and the two Collection Gran Coupe, and likewise extra versatile than the two Collection Coupe. To not point out, even with the Premium Bundle ($2,450) and the Driving Help Skilled Bundle ($1,700), it received’t price greater than $55,000, which we really feel is superb worth for cash.
Competitors contains the Mercedes-Benz C-Class ($48,450), Alfa Romeo Giulia ($43,995), and the Tesla Mannequin 3 ($42,490).