By Malusi Msomi

BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupe has always been an interesting one. It gives you the Coupe name, the badge appeal and the promise of fun without stepping into full-blown M territory. For 2025, the range gets sharper, more digital and more expressive. Sitting at the top is the M235 xDrive, a compact performance sedan aimed at drivers who want speed, style and everyday livability without jumping all the way to the big guns.

Styling

Our M235 arrives with all the expected M Performance drama. You get the model-specific kidney grille, 19-inch aluminium wheels, a neat ducktail-style boot spoiler and quad exhaust tips that let everyone know this is not a 218 out doing groceries.

It’s a sporty, assertive package. Sure, styling debates will continue on car Twitter (now known as X), but the M235 has presence, especially in this spec.

The cabin

Inside, things get interesting fast. Optional dual-tone bucket seats hug you like a clingy ex who still remembers your Wi-Fi password. They look the part, feel the part and even glow courtesy of the illuminated M badge.

The M Sport steering wheel is thick, grippy and finished with M-coloured stitching plus a 12 o’clock marker for the perfectionists. The cabin layout is familiar BMW: sharp screens, clean interfaces and a premium feel.

Rear space? Well, taller passengers will need to fold themselves like origami, but that’s part of the compact Gran Coupe life.

Power and drive

Under the bonnet sits a turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out 233 kW and 400 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive system and a 7-speed automatic that’s smooth when you want it to be and sharp when you ask for more.

BMW claims 7.7 L/100 km, but in our real-world driving, we achieved 8.5 L/100 km with a sensible foot. Spirited driving will nudge that number up, as expected. Performance-wise, BMW says 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, and it feels every bit that quick.

In comfort mode, the ride is surprisingly compliant. Switch to Sport and the car gains the alertness you’d expect. The only downside? The fake exhaust pops piped through the speakers. They’re… enthusiastic.

Verdict

The BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe hits a sweet spot. It’s quick, stylish, premium and compact enough for daily duty. It won’t replace the joy of a rear-wheel-drive coupe for purists, but for most drivers, it blends performance and usability in a way that genuinely works.

Pricing for the M235 xDrive Gran Coupe starts at R1,043,099.