BMW 218i Gran Coupe 2020 review

It’s a snazzy looking vehicle, no doubt about that. Rather than appearing classic and conservative which is how some BMWs can come across, this is very modern and slick, with a sporty exterior that oozes good style.

This model is way more Michael Ross from Suits, rather than Harvey Spectre, who would drive the higher model. 

The great design continues inside the car with a sleek look across the dash, metallic accents throughout the interior and high-quality finishes that look long-wearing and worth the dosh. 

The great design continues inside the car with a sleek look across the dash.

There is what BMW calls a digital cockpit behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel which looks and feels very 2020, and interior ambient lighting which makes the car feel cool when driving at night. 

This car is fitted with a panoramic sunroof as part of the 'Enhancement Package' which costs $2900 and also includes the metallic paint and 19-inch M light alloy wheels. 

There is a power operated tailgate which is great when you’re approaching the car with a trolley load of groceries, to whip out your key and pop the boot on approach.

The front seats are manually adjustable unless you opt in the 'Comfort Package' for $2300, which includes power adjustable front seats that are also heated and feature lumbar adjustment. 

There are two cupholders in the front, a spot for a phone and keys that is also a Qi (chi) charger, a bottle holder in the two front doors and a centre storage bin.

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest.

Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest and small storage pockets in the doors. 

It’s a fun, zippy car that is light to drive and gets around quickly without needing a lot of power or effort to barrel up hills.

The Gran Coupe is a quiet and agile drive.

It’s quiet and agile, you can duck in and out of traffic easily and it works really nicely as a city runaround car because of its nimbleness and size. 

The steering feels even and it handles well around corners. There’s a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine which is plenty to get you around suburbia. 

There’s a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine.

Parking is great thanks to the size and it has a high resolution reverse parking camera with guidelines to direct you while reversing. 

The steering feels even and it handles well around corners.

For advanced safety BMW offers 'Driving Assistant' which includes lane departure warnings, rear cross traffic alert, speed limit information (which pops up on the head up display in the windscreen while driving) and an auto parking assistant.

However, if you want auto emergency braking where the car comes to a complete stop you’ll have to opt in adaptive cruise control for $654. Without it, the ‘City Brake’ system does slow the car down when traveling at urban speeds to prevent a forward collision, but it won’t completely stop. 

There are airbags for driver and front passenger and side curtain airbags for both rows. You’ll also get three top tether points and two ISOFIX points to fix kids car seats in. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe hasn’t yet been assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

The BMW 218i costs $47,990, before on road costs and extras. This car was fitted with the Enhancement Package for $2900 and the Comfort Package for $2300, which takes the price to $53,190.

Fuel consumption is a claimed 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.

The BMW 218i costs $47,990, before on road costs and extras.

It’s covered BMW’s three year/unlimited km warranty, which includes a 12 year rust warranty and three years of roadside assist.