Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 2-series Gran Coupe review - interior and tech

Standards of build are best in class, though the swoopy roofline has cut down on rear passenger space

Evo rating
RRP
from £25,860
  • Quick and capable M135i, good ride, well built
  • M135i isn’t special enough to drive, awkward styling

Climb quickly inside – one way of artfully dodging any awkward conversations about the latest 2’s exterior styling – and the M235i’s off to a fairly good start. We’ve remarked previously that the latest 1-series has perhaps the best sense of quality of any other car in this sector, and with a nigh-on identical cabin, that carries across to the 2.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In typical BMW fashion it’s also possible to get the driving position spot-on, and the infotainment is again among the best in class, if not as sparkly or showy as that in a Mercedes CLA. Our one real misgiving is the instrument cluster, which is about as far from the clarity of traditional BMW analogue dials as it’s possible to get, but we’ll note BMW’s effort to enliven the cabin design with clever cross-hatched mood lighting emanating from the dashboard and door trims.

The unfortunate exterior shape does grant 50 litres of extra luggage space, at 430 litres with the seats in place, but what you gain in suitcases you lose in heads – rear seat passengers will struggle if they’re tall in the torso. Space up front is much better – and it’s fair to assume that those choosing the Gran Coupe will have lower practicality requirements than those opting for the standard 1-series hatchback.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Volkswagen XL1 (2013) review – Bugatti-level engineering aimed at MPG not MPH
Volkswagen XL1 – front
Reviews

Volkswagen XL1 (2013) review – Bugatti-level engineering aimed at MPG not MPH

Another hair-brained Piëch passion project, the XL1 is shot through with hypercar engineering, all to an end of saving fuel
16 May 2025
Best French cars – the greatest performance cars from France, past and present
Best French cars
Best cars

Best French cars – the greatest performance cars from France, past and present

From hot hatches to sports cars, none do light weight, delicate and danceable quite like the French
16 May 2025
Mercedes-AMG GT 2025 review – is it now a match for the Porsche 911?
Mercedes-AMG GT – front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-AMG GT 2025 review – is it now a match for the Porsche 911?

A sophisticated new chassis, up to 805bhp and a more practical cabin provides the AMG GT with everything it needs to take on the best in the business …
16 May 2025