BMW 218 Gran Coupe (2025) Review

The BMW 218 Gran Coupe blends upmarket design, solid everyday performance and premium quality. Aimed at buyers who value badge appeal and design flair over pace, it appears well-priced compared with its rivals, but does it retain enough “BMW DNA”?

We like: Striking looks (but avoid some of the tacky extras), refined and smooth, cabin tech, fit and finish

We don’t like: Not terribly engaging to drive, a little tight in the back

FAST FACTS

• Model: 2025 BMW 218 Gran Coupe
• Price: R733 559 (November 2025)
• Engine: 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
• Power / Torque: 115 kW/230 Nm
• Claimed fuel consumption: 6.3 L/100 km
• Luggage capacity: 530 litres

Serious about buying/selling?

Some dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? Sell it on Cars.co.za for free

Where does the BMW 218 Gran Coupe fit in?

Positioned as an entry-level sedan (though labelled a “coupe”), the BMW 218 Gran Coupe competes with the more affordable versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 Sedan.

Even in pricier M Sport trim (although the test unit was a specced-up example of the standard variant), it is comfortably more affordable than its traditional rivals and, consequently, seems an attractive way to get into BMW ownership – performing very much the role that entry-level 3 Series variants used to do. 

Compared with its predecessor, there has been a distinct focus on digitisation and refinement, aligning the 218 Gran Coupe better with consumer preferences.

Rear-wheel-drive dynamics and a sweet inline-6 engine are off the agenda. Instead, there is a superb new screen-based operating system (no more iDrive controller) and a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine is tasked with delivering a satisfying blend of urge and efficiency.

Compare specs of the BMW 218 GC with those of its Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 sedan rivals

Design & Packaging of the BMW 218 Gran Coupe

Visually, the BMW 218 Gran Coupe stands out by virtue of its low-slung stance, coupe-like roofline and frameless doors. The front-end design is bold and aggressive, although we found the black aerodynamic “whiskers” below the headlights a bit garish, especially given the car’s modest performance potential.

Actually, you can forgo the M-Performance side skirts, too. We do, however, like the Fire Red metallic paint colour, and the striking 18-inch bi-colour alloys (R17 000) that fill the wheel arches with purpose. 

Inside, the cabin impresses immediately with its premium materials, solid build and minimalist approach to controls. The driver-focused layout is dominated by the BMW Curved Display, which actually consists of 2 screens, but delivers stunningly crisp visuals, and can also be customised in various ways.

It runs on BMW’s Operating System 9 and dispenses with an iDrive dial, which cleans up the appearance of the centre console considerably. Apart from the window switch console at the end of the driver’s door armrest, physical buttons are limited to the multifunction wheel and transmission console (not too many).

Of all the touch-screen-based infotainment systems out there, BMW’s latest is easily one of the best – QuickSelect makes it possible for all of the main vehicle functions to be accessed directly without having to delve through menus. And to make sure your 2 Series Gran Coupe keeps up with these fast-moving digital times, BMW also regularly rolls out remote software upgrades (mostly for free); these “firmware updates” bring quality enhancements and additional functions, all available for download “over the air”. 

As is to be expected, there are many options to choose from, but the BMW 218 Gran Coupe is decently equipped as standard. You get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charge pad, climate control, auto lights, cruise control with a braking function and Parking Assistant (with Reverse assistant, active park distance control and reverse camera), among other items. Options fitted to our test unit included the attractive Panorama electric tilt/slide roof, sports seats (with massaging), a head-up display, and so on.

The driving position is excellent, with the (optional) front sports seats offering lots of support in all the right places and the steering wheel – with its rim perhaps a bit too chunky, for some people’s taste – also providing a wide range of rake- and reach-adjustment.

With its low-slung side window profile, low seating position (or, at least, the “feeling” of a low seating position due to the high armrest) and sporty steering wheel, the BMW 218 Gran Coupe does a pretty convincing job of making the front occupants feel as if they’re seated in a premium compact car.

However, we discovered one notable quirk of the fascia design: at night, the colourful graphics on the dashboard reflect in the side windows exactly where you’d instinctively glance to check the rear-view mirrors, rendering them effectively useless when executing reverse parking manoeuvres at night.

Practicality is decent for the segment, and a 40:20:40 split rear backrest “through-loading system” is standard. BMW’s smallest sedan’s 530-litre boot is competitive, and rear head- and legroom are adequate for adults on shorter trips, but taller passengers may find the sloping roof restrictive.

Those fantastic (but bulky) front seats do impinge on rear legroom, though. A nice touch for rear passengers, however, is the fitment of ventilation outlets as well as a pair of USB-C charge ports.

See also: BMW 1 Series & 2 Series GC (2025) Launch Review

Ride, Handling & Comfort

The BMW 218 Gran Coupe rides on 17-inch wheels as standard, but to reiterate, our test unit was fitted with optional 18-inch wheels wrapped with Hankook 225/45 tyres. With all its M-Performance “bits”, the 218 Gran Coupe promises excitement, but in reality, while this is a very composed and reasonably dynamically adept car, it’s not one to deliver driving thrills – not in the way BMWs used to, at least.

Offered on the 218 Gran Coupe (and fitted to our test unit) is BMW’s adaptive M suspension, which is claimed to enhance the sedan’s agility and long-distance comfort by means of variable, mechanically controlled and frequency-selective shock absorbers. They are equipped with additional valves that are said to smooth out pressure peaks in their cylinders, which results in greater smoothness. With the Adaptive M suspension, the car is lowered by up to 8 millimetres and is also fitted with sports steering.

Move beyond the expectation that a sporty, compact BMW such as this should deliver pure driving thrills, and you’ll discover a refined and dynamically polished product that still has an edge over its main (fellow German) rivals. Simply put, the BMW 218 Gran Coupe’s combination of ride comfort, on-road refinement, composed road manners, steering precision and linear, strong braking sets the benchmark in its class.

Performance & Efficiency of BMW 218 Gran Coupe

Powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine producing 115 kW and 230 Nm, the BMW 218 Gran Coupe feels lively enough for most daily tasks. According to our test equipment, it dispatched the 0-100 kph sprint of 8.15 seconds – quicker than BMW’s claim of 8.6 seconds – and its dual-clutch 7-speed transmission shifts crisply when driven with enthusiasm (you pay extra for gearshift paddles, though).

However, the engine’s modest output becomes evident during overtaking or uphill acceleration, where performance feels merely adequate rather than exciting, and depending on conditions (and drive mode), you can be disappointed with the 218 Gran Coupe’s initial flat-footed response to sudden throttle inputs.

Fuel efficiency proved reasonable. While BMW claims 6.3 L/100 km, our real-world testing returned an average closer to 7.5 L/100 km in mixed driving conditions – still respectable for a premium compact car.

See also: BMW M235 Gran Coupe (2025) Review

BMW 218 Gran Coupe price and after-sales support

At R733 559 (before options, in November 2025), the 218 is an appealing entry point into BMW’s stylish 2 Series Gran Coupe line-up. With a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a standard 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan (Motorplan), the model remains one of its segment’s best ownership propositions.

While options can still quickly inflate the asking price of any BMW, the extras available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe are refreshingly well-priced. The fact that this derivative’s starting price is so much lower than the competition’s makes the 218 Gran Coupe comparatively good value for money.

New BMW 2 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe specs & prices in South Africa

Find a new/used BMW 2 Series Coupe or Gran Coupe listed on Cars.co.za

Some dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!

Looking to sell your car? Sell it on Cars.co.za for free

Verdict

The BMW 218 Gran Coupe delivers premium appeal, solid build quality, and a refined driving experience. It’s well-suited to buyers who prioritise comfort, tech and style over outright performance – or driving thrills. The updated chassis and refined drivetrain make it an easy car to live with day to day, and we think its pricing is fair, given the context of its positioning (and the premiums demanded for its direct rivals).

If you’re after a compact premium car with coupe-like flair, everyday usability and the cachet of a BMW badge, the 218 Gran Coupe makes a very strong case for itself. 

Want to purchase a new or used BMW? Browse vehicles for sale

All the latest BMW news and reviews