Review: 2025 BMW M235i Gran Coupe a Lot of Style, A Bit Substance & Plenty of Value

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What happens when you take the same platform, engines, transmission and tech from a MINI Countryman and turn it into a four door sedan? You get the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. But does that formula actually work in a BMW? We went to South Carolina to drive a pre-production 2025 M235i drive Gran Coupe to find out.

The 2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is what happens when BMW tries to sprinkle its Motorsport magic onto a front-wheel-drive-based platform—and the result is… well, complicated. On paper, it’s everything you’d expect from a car wearing an M Performance badge: a high output engine, aggressive styling, and a tweaked chassis. But peel back the glossy piano black, and the M235i feels more like a compromise—a car that looks fast, has the stats to back it up, but doesn’t quite deliver the typical rear wheel drive biased driving experience BMW fans have come to expect. 

But will buyers even notice?

Background, Availability, and Pricing

First let’s talk about what the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is and what it isn’t. This isn’t an entirely all-new car, but it’s close. Based on a revision of the previous 2 Series GC platform, it introduces significant updates, including a wealth of new technology, key mechanical improvements, and completely redesigned styling inside and out. Production is set to begin alongside the Countryman at BMW’s Leipzig plant in the fourth quarter of 2024, with market availability starting in March 2025.

The 2 Series we tested was a pre-production M235i variant and was driven on some incredible South Carolina roads (through some amazing fall foliage). Coincidently we also tested a Countryman S on the same roads back to back. But we’ll get to that in a moment.

For U.S. buyers, two options will be available at launch: the 241-hp 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, priced at $41,600 (plus $1,175 destination), and the more performance-focused 312-hp M235i xDrive Gran Coupe, starting at $49,500 (plus $1,175 destination). For those seeking a more budget-friendly entry point, a (gasp) front-wheel-drive variant—the 241-hp 228i sDrive Gran Coupe—will debut in mid-2025, starting at $39,600 (plus $1,175 destination).

The BMW M235i Gran Coupe vs the MINI Countryman JCW

If you’re cross-shopping its MINI Countryman sibling you’ll quickly notice some key differences. For one the BMW’s prices are higher for similar models. Case in point the M235i starts at $49,500 while the mechanically identically Countryman JCW undercuts that by almost $3k at $46,900.

So the MINI offers more value for money but how do the two differ in driving experience? When pushed hard the identical chassis and drivetrain set-ups become evident. But it’s how they react that expose some their differences. Key to this is weight. The M235i has a curb weight of 3,578 lbs, that’s 258 lbs lighter than the 3,836 lbs Countryman JCW. And you feel it. The BMW feels quicker, has a more crisp turn-in and in general feels a bit more eager than the Countryman JCW.

Performance—With Some Caveats

Under the hood, the M235i packs the B48 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that we know from the Countryman JCW. It churns out slightly more power than before (redlining at 6,500 rpm) with 312 hp. That’s good enough to take this four-door coupe (as BMW calls it) to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. On paper, it’s a solid upgrade, but here’s where things get interesting: that torque figure is actually lower than before with only 295 ft-lb.

Why? Like the Countryman JCW, it’s the new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While the old Aisin eight-speed automatic could handle a meatier torque curve, the new DCT is apparently a bit more delicate. To preserve its internals, BMW engineers had to dial back the twist, which is disappointing considering torque is a signature of the previous B48 in the M235i. It’s an unfortunately concession—one made to allow the BMW to offer a single transmission across all its front-wheel-drive-based cars. 

The M235i has had some tweaks to the suspension that gave it a touch more feedback and a slightly more eager turn-in in our early drive. A revised steering ratio has also helped with the feeling of increased immediacy and the optional four piston brakes added confidence on the Appalachia mountain roads.

The DCT Dilemma

Speaking of the transmission, let’s get into it. BMW’s seven-speed Steptronic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is new to the M235i, and it’s… fine. That’s the best way to describe it. In theory, dual-clutch gearboxes are supposed to deliver lightning-fast shifts, but here, the execution feels inconsistent. Around town and in Comfort mode, the DCT can feel hesitant, especially at a standstill. It’s the kind of hesitation that makes you second-guess what’s happening when you put your foot down. We’ve felt something similar (but worse) in then new X1 and Countryman S and clearly BMW hasn’t quite solved the issue. But we’ve been told that issues like this can often be solved with software updates. 

Things improve in Sport mode, where the gearbox sharpens up and feels more in sync with the engine. But even then, the upshifts aren’t consistently as snappy as you’d hope. It’s like the DCT is often a half-step behind what you want it to do. This is especially noticeable during aggressive driving, where you expect the transmission to respond instantly. Instead, there’s a slight delay that eats away at the trust you have in the car to react. That said this DCT is smoother than the previous Aisin 8 speed around down and can be almost predictive thanks to its tight integration with mapping data.

Styling: BMW by Way of FWD

At a glance, the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is sharp and modern, with plenty of aggressive design cues that scream modern front wheel drive sedan. It’s handsome and in no way controversial. But what it doesn’t scream is BMW.

Like MINI, BMW’s design DNA has historically been linked to rear wheel drive cars with short overhangs. What you see here is the opposite. While MINI has generally gotten away with that approach using the same platform, the 2 Series simple doesn’t wear it as well in our eyes.

The wide kidney grille is flanked by sleek LED headlights, and the large air intakes in the front bumper hint at its sporty intentions. The rear is arguably the car’s best angle, with slim taillights, a sculpted trunk lid, and dual exhaust tips that add just the right amount of attitude. The frameless doors—a nod to its coupe-inspired silhouette—are a nice touch that adds some elegance to the design.

But then there’s the side profile, where things get a little… awkward. The front-wheel-drive-based architecture creates a long front overhang, a design trait that’s unavoidable when you’re packaging a transverse engine just ahead of the front axle. While this is common on front-wheel-drive sedans, it’s jarring on a BMW. The proportions just don’t scream “sporty,” and the car lacks the balanced, rear-biased stance that defines the brand’s traditional sedans. Instead, the M235i’s nose-heavy look gives it a hint of ungainliness that feels out of place for a BMW sedan.

The overall effect is a car that looks… modern in a mass market way. But make no mistake, you will not mistake this car for a 2 Series Coupe or even a 3 Series.

Value for Money—or Not?

Here’s where the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe finds its footing: value. The front wheel drive 241-hp 228 sDrive Gran Coupe will start at just $39,600. The M235i (the car tested here) starts at $49,800, undercutting the 3 Series by several thousand dollars while offering similar performance numbers. Factor in its standard all-wheel-drive system, a well-appointed interior with the latest BMW Curved Display, and a decent list of standard features, and the M235i begins to make sense as a budget-friendly way to get into something sporty and premium.

However, that calculus changes quickly once you start checking option boxes. Add the Premium Package, upgraded wheels, M Performance extras, and some advanced driver aids, and suddenly you’re staring down a price tag that creeps uncomfortably close to  $60,000. At that point, you’re in decently equipped 3 Series territory—a car that offers a superior rear-wheel-drive platform, more engaging handling, and a smoother transmission, even in base trim. 

Then there’s the MINI Countryman JCW which offers the same mechanicals in a more usable package for almost $3k less.

Conclusion: A Compromise with a Purpose

The 2025 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is a car that tries to be all things to all people—and, in some ways, it succeeds. It’s quick, comfortable, and loaded with tech, making it an attractive choice for buyers seeking a stylish, premium compact car that offers solid value. However, for those who prioritize BMW’s storied reputation for driving dynamics, the compromises of its front-wheel-drive-based architecture and the sometimes-finicky DCT may be hard to ignore.

The bigger issue with the new M235i isn’t the car itself—it’s the MINI Countryman JCW on one side and the BMW 3 Series on the other. For BMW buyers, the latter should be particularly appealing. For anyone drawn to BMW as much for its dynamic driving experience as for its badge, the 3 Series remains a far more compelling choice.

BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe Photo Gallery

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