BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

218i [136] M Sport 4dr [2024.5]

BMW have dared to be different with their 2 Series Gran Coupe - and they should be applauded for doing so. It’s fair to say the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s looks and styling has divided opinion, with some criticising the distinctive front end, others the chunky rear.

But when you take the Gran Coupe at face value, you can’t help but feel that BMW purists are missing the point. Without manufacturers taking a risk, we’d never have enjoyed so-called ‘Marmite’ cars like the Fiat Coupe, Nissan Cube or the more modern Citroen C4 Cactus.

And what this particular 2 Series does is offer owners the Gran Coupe experience without the associated cost. A BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will set you back £39,870, while the 8 Series Gran Coupe will leave a £71,435 shaped hole in your bank balance.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe, meanwhile, starts from just £26,410. And with a sweeping silhouette and genuine mile-munching capabilities, it’s a luxurious, continent-crossing car for a fraction of the money you might expect to pay for one.

It’s got boot space on a par with the best in class, an uncluttered interior that exudes quality, and a state-of-the-art infotainment system.

There’s also a choice of engines that runs the gamut from extremely practical and economical, to something with a lot more oomph. It is, then, a worthy competitor to the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

And whisper it quietly… but the styling is highly likely to grow on you, too.