The 2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is what occurs when BMW tries to sprinkle its Motorsport magic onto a front-wheel-drive-based platform—and the result’s… effectively, sophisticated. On paper, it’s all the pieces you’d anticipate from a automobile carrying an M Efficiency badge: a excessive output engine, aggressive styling, and a tweaked chassis. However peel again the shiny piano black, and the M235i feels extra like a compromise—a automobile that appears quick, has the stats to again it up, however doesn’t fairly ship the Final Driving Machine expertise BMW followers have come to anticipate.
However will consumers even discover?
Background, Availability, and Pricing
First let’s discuss what the 2025 BMW 2 Sequence Gran Coupe is and what it isn’t. This isn’t a completely all-new automobile, nevertheless it’s shut. Primarily based on a revision of the earlier 2 Sequence GC platform, it introduces important updates, together with a wealth of recent know-how, key mechanical enhancements, and utterly redesigned styling in and out. Manufacturing is about to start at BMW’s Leipzig plant within the fourth quarter of 2024, with market availability beginning in March 2025.
The two Sequence we examined was a pre-production M235i variant and was pushed on some unbelievable South Carolina roads (by means of some superb fall foliage).
For U.S. consumers, two choices can be accessible at launch: the 241-hp 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, priced at $41,600 (plus $1,175 vacation spot), and the extra performance-focused 312-hp M235i xDrive Gran Coupe, beginning at $49,500 (plus $1,175 vacation spot). For these searching for a extra budget-friendly entry level, a (gasp) front-wheel-drive variant—the 241-hp 228i sDrive Gran Coupe—will debut in mid-2025, beginning at $39,600 (plus $1,175 vacation spot).
Efficiency—With Some Caveats
Underneath the hood, the M235i packs BMW’s B48 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine. It churns out barely extra energy than earlier than (redlining at 6,500 rpm) with 312 hp. That’s adequate to take this four-door coupe (as BMW calls it) to 60 mph in simply 4.7 seconds. On paper, it’s a strong improve, however right here’s the place issues get fascinating: that torque determine is definitely decrease than earlier than with solely 295 ft-lb.
Why? It’s the brand new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Whereas BMW’s previous eight-speed automated may deal with a meatier torque curve, the brand new DCT is outwardly a bit extra delicate. To protect its internals, BMW engineers needed to dial again the twist, which is disappointing contemplating torque is a signature of the earlier B48 within the M235i. It’s an sadly concession—one made to permit the BMW to supply a single transmission throughout all its front-wheel-drive-based automobiles.
The M235i has had some tweaks to the suspension that gave it a contact extra suggestions and a barely extra keen turn-in in our early drive. A revised steering ratio has additionally helped with the sensation of elevated immediacy and the non-compulsory 4 piston brakes added confidence on the Appalachia mountain roads.
The DCT Dilemma
Talking of the transmission, let’s get into it. BMW’s seven-speed Steptronic Twin-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is new to the M235i, and it’s… high-quality. That’s one of the simplest ways to explain it. In principle, dual-clutch gearboxes are purported to ship lightning-fast shifts, however right here, the execution feels inconsistent. Round city and in Consolation mode, the DCT can really feel hesitant, particularly at a standstill. It’s the form of hesitation that makes you second-guess what’s taking place if you put your foot down. We’ve felt one thing comparable (however worse) in then new X1 and X2 and clearly BMW hasn’t fairly solved the difficulty. However we’ve been instructed that points like this will usually be solved with software program updates.
Issues enhance in Sport mode, the place the gearbox sharpens up and feels extra in sync with the engine. However even then, the upshifts aren’t persistently as snappy as you’d hope. It’s just like the DCT is usually a half-step behind what you need it to do. That is particularly noticeable throughout aggressive driving, the place you anticipate the transmission to reply immediately. As a substitute, there’s a slight delay that eats away on the belief you may have within the automobile to react. That stated this DCT is smoother than the earlier Aisin 8 pace round down and might be virtually predictive due to its tight integration with mapping knowledge.
Styling: BMW by Method of FWD
At a look, the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is sharp and fashionable, with loads of aggressive design cues that scream fashionable entrance wheel drive sedan. It’s good-looking and by no means controversial. However what it doesn’t scream is BMW.
The broad kidney grille is flanked by smooth LED headlights, and the massive air intakes within the entrance bumper trace at its sporty intentions. The rear is arguably the automobile’s finest angle, with slim taillights, a sculpted trunk lid, and twin exhaust suggestions that add simply the correct quantity of perspective. The frameless doorways—a nod to its coupe-inspired silhouette—are a pleasant contact that provides some class to the design.
However then there’s the aspect profile, the place issues get a little bit… awkward. The front-wheel-drive-based structure creates a protracted entrance overhang, a design trait that’s unavoidable if you’re packaging a transverse engine simply forward of the entrance axle. Whereas that is frequent on front-wheel-drive sedans, it’s jarring on a BMW. The proportions simply don’t scream “sporty,” and the automobile lacks the balanced, rear-biased stance that defines the model’s conventional sedans. As a substitute, the M235i’s nose-heavy look offers it a touch of ungainliness that feels misplaced for a BMW sedan.
The general impact is a automobile that appears… fashionable in a mass market approach. However make no mistake, you’ll not mistake this automobile for a 2 Sequence Coupe or perhaps a 3 Sequence.
Worth for Cash—or Not?
Right here’s the place the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe finds its footing: worth. The entrance wheel drive 241-hp 228 sDrive Gran Coupe will begin at simply $39,600. The M235i (the automobile examined right here) begins at $49,800, undercutting the three Sequence by a number of thousand {dollars} whereas providing comparable efficiency numbers. Consider its customary all-wheel-drive system, a well-appointed inside with the most recent BMW Curved Show, and a good record of ordinary options, and the M235i begins to make sense as a budget-friendly strategy to get into one thing sporty and premium.
Nonetheless, that calculus modifications shortly when you begin checking choice packing containers. Add the Premium Package deal, upgraded wheels, M Efficiency extras, and a few superior driver aids, and all of the sudden you’re staring down a price ticket that creeps uncomfortably near $60,000. At that time, you’re in decently outfitted 3 Sequence territory—a automobile that provides a superior rear-wheel-drive platform, extra partaking dealing with, and a smoother transmission, even in base trim.
Conclusion: A Compromise with a Function
The 2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is a automobile that tries to be all issues to all individuals—and, in some methods, it succeeds. It’s fast, comfy, and loaded with tech, making it a pretty selection for consumers searching for a classy, premium compact automobile that provides strong worth. Nonetheless, for many who prioritize BMW’s storied popularity for driving dynamics, the compromises of its front-wheel-drive-based structure and the sometimes-finicky DCT could also be exhausting to disregard.
The larger problem with the brand new M235i isn’t the automobile itself—it’s the BMW 3 Sequence, which might be had for practically the identical worth. For anybody drawn to BMW as a lot for its dynamic driving expertise as for its badge, the three Sequence stays a much more compelling selection.
BMW M240i xDrive Gran Coupe Picture Gallery
