BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé review

Looking at the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé immediately places us in the “M Performance universe”.

It is unavoidable. The body colour, black front grille, sporty bumpers, alloy wheels exclusive to this specification and, naturally, the “M” badges scattered across the bodywork all point towards a particularly special “universe” - including the options list.

It is a world populated by models capable of “destroying tyres” as quickly as I can write these lines - and believe me, I type very quickly indeed. This member of the M family, however, has different priorities. As a BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé, it comes with four doors and family-oriented ambitions.

Are those family values compatible with what is expected of a BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé? That is what we will explore below.

BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé: M Performance styling

BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé numbers

This BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé is certainly not short of firepower. It has 306 hp and 450 Nm of peak torque at its disposal, both delivered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

As its xDrive badge suggests, this M235i features all-wheel drive. Thanks to this system, up to 50% of the power can be directed to the rear axle, ensuring every one of those horses reaches the road effectively.

To ensure swift progress, it is equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox, which can be either smooth or rapid - depending solely on the driving mode selected.

This powertrain arrangement enables the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The result? Whenever you press the accelerator with greater intent, you are firmly pushed back into the seat.

Behind the wheel of this Gran Coupé

The BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé feels firm without becoming uncomfortable. Its suspension deals with road imperfections relatively easily. It is over speed bumps, particularly at the rear, that the Gran Coupé’s firm set-up becomes most apparent. In other situations, though, it shows no real trouble absorbing uneven surfaces.

When it is time to exploit its dynamic abilities, what stands out most is the efficiency with which it goes about its business. Every movement from this M235i is purposeful: brake, turn in, accelerate. There is little drama and no unnecessary complication. I must admit, though, that I missed a little more… involvement.

“In truth, it does not deliver the driving experience I expected from an M, but on the other hand, it is more capable in everyday use than I had anticipated.”

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Do not misunderstand me: the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé is a good sports saloon. It may even offer more than we genuinely need from a sporting saloon in this segment. Yet, on a twisty road where we expect broad smiles, it does make us smile - but it does not have us laughing by the end of the drive.

A different M Performance alternative

That said, if the additional space is not absolutely essential, the BMW M240i may be worth considering. It offers rear-wheel drive, an inline six-cylinder engine, 340 hp and is available with a manual gearbox. Either way, this may be the gentlest route into the “M Performance universe”.