You regularly see that a manufacturer that develops a certain technology or concept is overtaken by the competition that offers the same trick in improved form. BMW is therefore introducing its 2-series Gran Coupé, a four-door coupé in a tradition set by Mercedes.
BMW has had varying degrees of success with its four-door coupe models. The discontinued 4 Series Gran Coupé, for example, managed to lure many traditional 3 Series drivers out of their sedans, and it still rarely receives disapproving looks. Which brings us to the reason for this test: the brand new BMW 2-series Gran Coupé. Unlike its bigger brother, the compact variant splits opinions significantly more. The convex muzzle and the squat butt with the enormous rear lights undeniably give it a distinctive appearance, only the various parts do not seem to fit together nicely.
High accuracy
The iDrive from BMW with its physical rotary push button is the best in ergonomics. You flash through the various menus quickly and with high accuracy, and the logical grouping means that the familiarization period is short. In addition, the 2 Series obeys better. For example, lane assistance will remain off until you turn it on again yourself. We become less wild about the design and the use of materials in the interior. The headroom for an average Dutch adult in the front is already quite limited. The combination of electric seat operation and a sliding-tilting roof does not help here, of course, but the driver’s hair should not even touch the headliner, and unfortunately that does happen. In the back, adults are already completely stuck: head against the roof, knees against the front seat, so a claustrophobic affair. At the very rear, the luggage space is reasonable and there is no lift threshold.
Enough looked, time to drive. On this part, the expectations of a BMW are of course always high and connoisseurs know that the Gran Coupé starts here with a handicap. In contrast to the ‘normal’ 2-series coupé, this four-door variant is on the front-wheel drive UKL platform of the Mini and the BMW 1-series. And it remains a rather strange sensation to see a BMW logo in the edge of your field of vision while on wet roads the front wheels noticeably lose traction. Not that this risk is very big with 140 hp, but it is possible. The chassis is also remarkably comfortable. It really takes a while before the nose starts to slide out in a fast turn; the reactions, however, are a bit slower than in most BMWs and there is quite a role in the carriage. For people looking for more dynamism, the sports suspension is certainly worth considering. But even with that, the 2 Series won’t drive like a traditional BMW.
Old building
Very occasionally the machine does not work well and due to the large torque, the engine seems more powerful than it actually is. However, the 1.5-liter three-cylinder lacks refinement. Especially when turning on for the traffic light, the 2 Series occasionally shakes like an old building during an earthquake. Just like the limited headroom in the driver’s seat, that shouldn’t happen for this money. Because these are serious amounts: fully dressed, the BMW on this page must yield € 52,965. A lot of money and then he is not full options. There is no adaptive cruise control or a head-up display. Furthermore, there is not much to criticize about the equipment; a lot, from electrically adjustable and heated seats to leather upholstery and a sliding-tilting roof, is available. This also applies to active safety systems, although BMW can go even further in this for an additional fee.