2025 (75) BMW 2 Series M235 xDrive 4dr Step Auto [Tech+ Pack]

BMW's fastest 2 Series Gran Coupe, the M235 xDrive, is a much stronger proposition in this second generation F74 form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

BMW's top 2 Series Gran Coupe, the M235 xDrive, gets an injection of drive character in this revitalised F74 era form. Plus extra technology and a much nicer cabin. Sounds promising.

Background

The news that BMW spent a considerable amount of time working on the illuminated 'Iconic Glow' front grille of this F74-era M235 xDrive 2 Series Gran Coupe might make an enthusiastic driver perusing one of these fear the worst. This model's F44-era M235i xDrive Gran Coupe predecessor was in truth, more of a fashionable trinket than the dynamically accessible sports saloon BMW had promised. Would this F74 model replacement serve up more of the same? Munich assures us that's not the case. Sure, the engineering isn't that much different, but lots of work's gone into suspension, steering and transmission to make this a different kind of 2 Series Gran Coupe flagship.

Driving Experience

At first glance, not much is different here compared to the old F44-era M235i xDrive model this F74 design replaces. Same 2.0-litre engine and xDrive system. Same UKL2 chassis. But look again. This M235 loses an 'i' from its name in F74-era form but gains a new Steptronic auto transmission and almost completely new suspension, as part of a whole package of drive dynamic enhancements. Unlike lesser 2 Series Gran Coupes, this one does without any electrified tech and delivers fractionally less power and torque than the previous generation M235i but still puts out 300hp. This top M235 makes 62mph in 4.9s and is electronically limited at 155mph. The 7-speed Steptronic dual clutch auto set-up comes complete with a 'Boost' paddle that gives the driver extra burst of overtaking acceleration. And feels a bit more responsive than the old 8-speed torque converter auto. You may or may not like the fake speaker-enhanced engine note (we did). And compared to lesser 2 Series Gran Coupe models, this top version gains an extra strut in the engine compartment, plus larger tyres and an increase in the camber offset of the front wheels to improve handling. The shock absorbers have been re-tuned to reduce body roll and the wheel slip limiter and the braking system have also been revised. In addition, sharper Sport steering and lowered suspension come with this top model, the latter pitching the car 8mm closer to the tarmac. The suspension's been thoroughly tweaked. BMW calls it 'adaptive', which isn't quite true; all 2 Series Gran Coupes feature passive suspension, but it's of the 'frequency-selective' kind we first saw on the 3 Series. This doesn't allow the driver to alter ride comfort; instead, the damper valving reacts differently to high and low-frequency road surface inputs. Which you need because, due to the fact that only sports suspension is available across the range, this car remains somewhat firm of ride, which might not be welcome on your suburban morning commute; we'd suggest you try before you buy.

Design and Build

There's not much to set this top M235 variant apart from lesser 2 Series Gran Coupe models; just an M Quad Exhaust system, a rear M spoiler in body colour, Sun Protection glass and M Sport brakes with blue calipers. Compared to the old F44 2 Series Gran Coupe, this replacement F74 design is certainly bigger, length stretched by 20mm to 4,546mm and the car has also gained 15mm in both height (1,435mm) and width (1,800mm). In profile, there's a new variation of the brand's signature Hofmeister kink in the rear pillar, which now features a '2' emblem. Plus the side skirts have been reprofiled, the tail lights have been redesigned and there's less blank metal surfacing. The front end has a wider, flatter grille (which can now have an illuminated surround) and the nose features thinner LED headlights. Wheel sizes vary from 18 to 19 inches. So this M235 Gran Coupe is quite different to its M135 close cousin outside. The two cars share mostly everything inside up-front though, which means this F74 model gets BMW's latest cockpit for compact cars. This sees a 10.7-inch central touchscreen running the company's latest OS9 software. And a 10.25-inch driver's display, viewed through a new steering wheel with embedded physical buttons. The centre console's had to be redesigned because sadly (for cost reasons) BMW's got rid of the original model's useful lower rotary iDrive controller. Detail differences over the M135 hatch include bespoke air vents (like those of the X3) and different positioning of the door handles and window controls, plus there's fancy ambient lighting in the doors. The exterior size changes improve rear seat space a little bit, though the differences aren't great. You're better off in the back than you would be in a 1 Series hatch though. The 430-litre boot is the same size as the old model, but 70-litres bigger than lesser 2 Series Gran Coupe models because this one doesn't have to accommodate a mild hybrid system beneath the cargo floor.

Market and Model

At the time of this review in summer 2025, this top M235 xDrive 2 Series Gran Coupe model was pitched from just under £46,000. As well as the visual enhancements we detailed in our 'Design' section, equipment includes 18-inch Bi-colour alloy wheels, M High-Gloss Black Shadowline exterior trim, M Sport exterior styling, BMW LED headlights, an alarm system and Parking Assistant all-round parking sensors. Standard drive stuff includes automatic transmission with change paddles, Adaptive M suspension, 'MyMode' drive settings and cruise control with a braking function. Inside, standard equipment includes a 10.25-inch instrument display, an M leather steering wheel, front heated sports seats, black M Alcantara and Veganza upholstery, automatic air conditioning, illuminated Aluminium Hexacube interior trim, ambient lighting and an anthracite headliner. Media connectivity comes via a 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' package which as well as the digital instrument panel gives you a 10.7-inch central Control Display for the infotainment. Built-in 'Operating System 9' media tech includes BMW Maps navigation, the brand's 'Intelligent Personal Assistant' voice control set-up, 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', a WiFi interface, remote software upgrades and 4G LTE connectivity. Plus there's a 6-speaker audio system that includes a 100W amplifier. You'll want to consider the optional 'M Sport package Pro', which adds extended M High gloss Shadow Line elements to the BMW Kidney Grille, plus with this pack you get an M rear spoiler and M Sport brakes with a red high gloss finish, plus M Sport front seats. You can also add either Active Front Seats (which adapt side support to the turns); or front M Sport seats. A tow bar's available too, as are larger 19-inch wheels.

Cost of Ownership

BMW isn't developing any more combustion engines but it's doing its best to improve efficiency on the fossil-fuelled units it already has. The M235 xDrive lacks the mild hybrid tech used further down the range but it still records up to 37.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 170g/km of CO2. Efficiency is also aided by coasting and Auto Start Stop functions that take their cue from the data supplied by the navigation system, the front-mounted camera and the sensors for the optional driving assistance systems. The coasting function de-couples the powertrain from the transmission at cruising speeds. On to the warranty package. BMW's warranty only lasts for three years but it includes an Emergency breakdown service and at least it isn't mileage limited - unlike the comparable package you'd get as standard with a rival Audi. You can of course extent the warranty with either monthly or annual payments. There's a three year paintwork warranty and the usual 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Insurance is group 30.

Summary

Your feelings after experiencing BMW's M235 xDrive will probably depend on the expectations you had prior to driving it. If you're hoping for a kind of down-sized M340i saloon, you'll be disappointed; it certainly isn't that, much less any kind of 'M3-Lite'. But in terms of drive dynamics, it's some way removed from other 2 Series Gran Coupe models and hardly compromised at all over the well regarded M135 xDrive hot hatch. There's also great build quality and a beautifully appointed cabin that'll make you feel right at home if you're down-sizing from a larger BMW. The previous F44-era M235i xDrive Gran Coupe was more interested in fashion than being the ultimate driving machine. This replacement model still isn't any kind of 'proper' M car, but its priorities have certainly shifted. Whether they've shifted enough will depend on yours.