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BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe 2020 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.8

Likes

Dynamics
Comfort
Value

Dislikes

Squeezy
Short warranty
No AEB
James Cleary

Deputy Editor

2 min read

At $69,990, before on-road costs, the M235i xDrive lines up price-wise against Merc’s CLA 250 4Matic ($70,200), but knocks it for six in terms of performance. In fact, BMW wants a piece of the Merc-AMG CLA 35 ($85,500) with this mini-muscle coupe.

Aside from the standard active and passive safety tech the M235i xDrive’s features list includes: 19-inch alloy rims, a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel, M-Sport brakes (four-piston front calipers, up from single piston), M steering calibration, M rear spoiler, M Sport front seats, leather upholstery, electric front seat adjustment (including memory on the driver’s side), adaptive LED headlights (including ‘High-beam Assistant), and harman/kardon 16-speaker (464-watt) audio.

Also included are a head-up display, the ‘Live Cockpit Professional’ pack (10.25-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch operating system 7.0 media display and ‘Intelligent Personal Assistant’), Apple CarPlay (Android Auto is coming later in 2020), active cruise control, keyless entry and start, ambient interior lighting, LED headlights, tail-lights, and fog lights, plus ‘Parking Assistant’ (front and rear sensors, reversing camera, ‘Auto Parking Assistant’ and ‘Reversing Assistant’).

BMW’s packaging boffins will have sweated bullets to eke out every extra millimetre, but the hard fact is this 2 Series Gran Coupe is diminutive, and cozy is the best way to describe the interior.

The M235i Gran Coupe is powered by a version of BMW’s B48 in-line four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, also used in various BMW and Mini models, including the Mini John Cooper Works GP.

An all-alloy design, it also uses a twin-scroll turbo set-up, direct-injection, ‘Valvetronic’ variable valve timing and ‘Double-VANOS variable cam timing to produce no less than 225kW from 5000-6250rpm, and a whopping 450Nm from 1750-4500rpm. It sends power to all four wheels through an eight-speed (conventional torque-converter) automatic transmission and a dedicated transfer gearbox, guided by multiple sensors and processors, to send drive to the wheels that can make best use of it.

Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 7.6L/100km, the M235i xDrive emitting 173g/km of CO2 in the process.

Read the full 2020 BMW 2 Series review

BMW M235I 2020: Xdrive Gran Coupe

Engine Type Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 7.6L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $36,630 - $43,670

Pricing Guides

$39,814
Based on 18 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$32,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$49,990
James Cleary

Deputy Editor

James Cleary is CarsGuide's Deputy Editor, with over four decades’ experience across automotive editorial, marketing, product planning and creative advertising. He has written for national and international titles including Wheels, Drive, Carsales, Motor and Top Gear Australia providing everything from new product assessment and feature writing to industry analysis, news content and expert advice. He’s spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas. James worked in the PR and advertising/sales promotion teams at Mercedes-Benz Australia and has managed the Marketing Communications and Product Planning functions for Peugeot Australia. He also directed advertising client service for Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Volvo Australia. James has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Macquarie University and driving qualifications from multiple advanced schools, including Ian Luff Motivation. He has been a member of the CarsGuide team for 10 years and as Deputy Editor manages everything from sub-editing to back-end platforms while creating written and visual content. Expertise New product assessment Industry analysis News content Expert advice Feature writing Experience BMW Performance Driving School Lamborghini Winter Accademia Master Maserati Driving School Mercedes-AMG Snow Performance School Porsche Level 4 Master training Volkswagen Driving Experience program Education Bachelor of Arts (MassComm) | Macquarie University | 1981-1984 Featured publications Carsales Drive Motor Top Gear Wheels CarsGuide
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$32,990
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2020 BMW 2 Series
See Pricing & Specs

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