The new BMW 1 Series never made it to our market. The sedan remains exclusive to China and Mexico. With the Active Tourer compact van discontinued, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is now the only passenger car riding the UKL2 front-wheel drive platform — alongside the Mini lineup. This 14.7-foot (4.5 m) long, frameless-door sedan starts at a surprisingly accessible price point. We tested the base 218i Online Edition — no optional extras, no added cost — making it the most affordable BMW passenger car you can buy today.
Exterior: Sharp Looks on a Budget
The Gran Coupe doesn’t look entry-level, even on standard 17-inch wheels. Panel gaps are tight, and a real exhaust pipe sits below the rear bumper — a detail that matters. BMW’s bold, divisive styling is an acquired taste, and the ultrashort sloping trunk paired with a high, arching hood draws the eye straight to the front axle — which is fitting, since that’s exactly where the power goes.
Powertrain: Three-Cylinder Turbo With a Seven-Speed Gearbox
Under the hood sits a transversely mounted 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 140 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch robotised gearbox. Key performance figures to know:
- Up to 230 N·m of torque available in Overboost mode (gears above third)
- Adequate pulling power in city traffic, but feels stretched on the motorway
- Cold starts are accompanied by noticeable vibration and shaking
- The start/stop system triggers a half-second shudder on restart
- At idle and while cruising, the three-cylinder imbalance largely disappears
Throttle response is accurate and predictable, with only minor hesitation from a standing start. The engine note is surprisingly characterful — a low rumble in car parks and a composed growl at speed.
Interior Quality and Ergonomics
Getting into the front seat is a slight struggle for taller drivers — the B-pillar sits further forward than expected. Once settled, though, the lateral bolstering feels immediately familiar to anyone who has driven a BMW before. Notable interior details include:
- Electric cushion adjustment on the rear of the front seats — a genuine surprise for this price
- Fixed lumbar support that offers limited adjustability
- Classic BMW steering wheel, floor-hinged accelerator pedal, and non-gated gear selector
- A traditional analogue instrument cluster behind dark glass — a highlight in an age of screens
- Soft-touch plastic even on the rear door panels
There are a few reminders that this is the entry rung of the BMW ladder. The texture around the instrument panel features a rather generic diamond pattern, the decorative trim feels mid-market, and the start button is flush-mounted on the centre console — difficult to locate by touch alone. The climate controls use small silver buttons that differ slightly in plastic finish from the surrounding trim.
Driving Dynamics: Honest Front-Wheel Drive Behaviour
The steering is lighter than typical BMW fare, but that actually makes low-speed manoeuvring more relaxed — it takes 2.75 turns lock to lock. Responses are sharp and accurate, body roll is minimal, and torque steer under acceleration is well contained. However, there are compromises worth noting:
- Road camber and tram lines cause noticeable deviation from the intended line
- The rear axle feels unsettled on bumpy mid-corner surfaces
- Front tyres begin to squeal early in tighter bends
- On a wet road, the front axle pushes wide once grip is exceeded — classic understeer
- The passive multi-link rear steer only becomes effective at high speed through long arcs
In everyday driving, the Gran Coupe behaves like a front-wheel drive car — because it is one. Drivers who value the traditional rear-wheel drive BMW experience should look at the 2 Series Coupe, which remains available and rear-driven, albeit at a higher price.
Ride Comfort: A Mixed Picture
Even for those who drive smoothly, the Gran Coupe’s comfort credentials are inconsistent. The passive dampers handle speed bumps reasonably well, but struggle elsewhere:
- Tyre noise is prominent at city speeds and only fades above 80–90 mph
- High-frequency vibrations come through the steering wheel rim
- Short, sharp bumps transmit directly into the cabin
- Potholes and expansion joints are met with a firm, sometimes harsh thud
This lack of cohesion in the ride character is something we noted on the 8 Series Gran Coupe as well. Whether it’s a deliberate tuning direction or a platform limitation, it leaves the driving experience feeling slightly at odds with itself.
Practicality: Compact Sedan Limitations
The Gran Coupe’s sleek silhouette comes at a cost in the back seats and the boot. Rear passenger space is genuinely tight:
- Rear entry is awkward — little clearance between the door pillar and the seat edge
- Headroom is limited; taller passengers will notice the roofline pressing down
- Knee room is scarce for anyone above average height
- Boot capacity is rated at 430 litres, but that figure includes the underfloor compartment
- The practical usable depth between the boot floor and the lip is noticeably shallow
- The boot floor is not height-adjustable
- There is no spare wheel
On the positive side, the rear seatback splits 40:20:40 as standard — a genuinely useful configuration that comes at no extra cost.
Verdict: Who Is the BMW 218i Gran Coupe Actually For?
The BMW 218i Gran Coupe is not a car for driving enthusiasts, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Buyers who want rear-wheel drive dynamics, sharp handling balance, or that classic BMW character should look elsewhere. But for those who want the badge, the frameless door aesthetic, and a distinctive design at a competitive entry-level price, the 218i Gran Coupe makes a strong case for itself.
The next step up — a base BMW 3 Series — is considerably more expensive and offers a softer, quieter, more polished experience. The Chinese-market 1 Series and 2 Series sedans likely deliver a more harmonious overall character. But in markets where those cars aren’t sold, the 218i Gran Coupe is the most accessible way into a BMW showroom — and it doesn’t embarrass the brand doing it.
This is a translation. You can read the original here: https://www.drive.ru/test-drive/bmw/5eeb30e1ec05c4f53500018e.html
Published December 01, 2022 • 6m to read
