Body Styles

The 2 Series family includes two structurally and philosophically different body styles. The G42 Coupe is a rear-wheel-drive–based two-door compact coupe that pays homage to classic BMW driving dynamics, featuring a long hood, short rear deck, wide stance, and frameless windows. It uses the CLAR platform shared with the 3 and 4 Series, allowing it to retain nearly perfect weight distribution and traditional BMW handling balance.

In contrast, the F44 Gran Coupe is a five-door fastback sedan with a more urban and lifestyle-oriented approach. Built on the UKL2 platform shared with MINI and the BMW X1, it features a transverse engine layout, standard front-wheel drive, and optional xDrive. While it sacrifices rear-drive purity, it gains interior space, practicality, and a distinctive coupe-like profile. The M235i xDrive sits atop the Gran Coupe lineup, adding aggressive styling, larger intakes, a rear diffuser, and sportier ride tuning that pushes the FWD platform toward hot hatch dynamics.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "2 Series" badge designates BMW’s compact luxury class, positioned just below the 3 Series in size and price. Coupe variants (G42) emphasize the brand’s sporting heritage, while the Gran Coupe variants (F44) deliver versatility with a modern, coupe-inspired silhouette. The "M235i" is not a full M car but a product of BMW's M Performance division — denoting factory-enhanced power, chassis, and design, offering a middle ground between regular 2 Series models and the hardcore M2. The "xDrive" suffix in the M235i refers to the brand’s all-wheel-drive system, optimized for performance and traction.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

BMW offers the 2 Series in a wide array of sophisticated and expressive paint options. The G42 Coupe introduces standout colors like Thundernight Metallic — a deep, shimmering purple exclusive to this generation — alongside Portimao Blue, Melbourne Red, Brooklyn Grey, and classic hues like Alpine White and Black Sapphire. Gran Coupe models expand the palette with shades like Snapper Rocks Blue and Storm Bay Metallic, reinforcing their youthful, lifestyle-focused positioning.

Inside, the 2 Series range showcases a mix of modern minimalism and classic BMW cockpit orientation. Base models use SensaTec leatherette in Black or Oyster, while upper trims and M235i feature Vernasca leather in colors such as Tacora Red, Mocha, and Cognac. Aluminum Tetragon, Fine-Wood Oak, and High-Gloss Black trims shape the aesthetic, with ambient lighting and frameless windows enhancing the premium ambiance. The M235i adds M steering wheel, anthracite headliner, M-specific digital graphics, and optional sport seats with additional bolstering.

Wheels vary by trim: the Coupe starts on 17-inch multi-spokes and rises to 18- and 19-inch double-spoke or bi-color wheels with performance tires. The M235i comes standard with 18-inch Orbit Grey M wheels and optional 19-inch staggered M Performance designs wrapped in summer rubber. Behind the wheels are larger M Sport brakes with blue calipers, completing the visual link to the car’s dynamic underpinnings.

Top Expensive Options

• Premium Package (HUD, heated seats, navigation): $3,350
• Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight: $1,000
• M Sport Package (230i): $2,650
• Harman Kardon® Surround Audio System: $875
• Live Cockpit Professional with Gesture Control: $1,150
• Vernasca Leather Upholstery: $1,500
• 19" M Bi-Color Alloy Wheels with Performance Tires: $1,300
• M235i Shadowline Exterior Trim Package: $500
• Wireless Charging and Wi-Fi Hotspot: $500
• Park Assist Plus with 3D Surround View: $750

vs Competitors

In the premium compact segment, the BMW 2 Series Coupe targets rivals like the Audi A3/S3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Genesis G70, while the Gran Coupe faces off against the Mercedes A-Class Sedan, Audi A3 Sedan, and hot hatchbacks like the Golf R. The 230i Coupe offers rear-wheel-drive dynamics that set it apart in a mostly front- or all-wheel-drive segment. It delivers sharp steering, 50:50 weight distribution, and chassis tuning inherited from larger BMW models, giving it a precision edge over the more comfort-focused CLA or FWD A3.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe bridges performance and practicality in a different way. While its front-biased xDrive system lacks the purity of the Coupe’s layout, it offers more grip, greater interior space, and punchy turbocharged power — placing it in direct competition with the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and Audi S3. The BMW holds an advantage in interior layout and infotainment fluidity, but trails slightly in steering feedback. Still, its composed ride, premium appointments, and mature styling make it a compelling alternative to the boy-racer flavor of some rivals.

Fun Fact

The B58 engine in the M240i is the same unit found in the Toyota GR Supra 3.0, BMW Z4 M40i, and even the base 840i, making it one of the most flexible and beloved modern BMW engines. Tuners routinely extract 500+ hp from it with minimal modifications. Additionally, despite the M2 being the "hero car," many reviewers found the M240i to be faster in real-world conditions due to its AWD traction — especially on imperfect roads or in bad weather.