---

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Our pick: BMW 216i Gran Coupe Sport from S$211,888 with COE (December 2022)
Read our full review of the BMW 216i Gran Coupe here

BMW is somewhat of a late entrant to this market, with its 2 Series Gran Coupe (we’ll call it 2 GC from here onwards) only debuting in early 2020. Nevertheless, BMW has burst out straight from the blocks and delivered a hugely impressive product that is well-matched against its rivals.

The biggest appeal of the 2 GC is the fact that it is the least expensive four-door BMW you can currently buy in Singapore, and as of 2022 the sole version you can buy is the 216i Sport, which comes with a 1.5-litre engine that produces 109hp, and yes, puts it into COE Cat A.

That car retails for S$211,888 inclusive of COE as of December 2022, which is a rather princely sum for a Cat A car. But it is still a BMW after all, and that alone should help it attract a significant amount of sales from folks who want a relatively easy entry point into Bavarian motoring.

Despite its status as an entry-level model, the 2 GC is not a cut price product. It offers an entertaining drive, top-notch Germany quality, and a surprisingly impressive list of features that are usually seen in far more expensive models.

Among its party tricks include BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) system, which lets you execute all sorts of things simply by talking to the car. Simply say “Hey BMW, turn down the air con/navigate home/call my mother” and it’ll obey your command.

The 216i GC is powered by 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder that produces 109hp and 190Nm of torque, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s reasonably adequate to get you around Singapore. It sparkles more in the corners though, with a very capable chassis and excellent dynamic balance that makes it a joy to pilot for keen drivers.

Being a small luxury sedan, the 2 GC is not particularly spacious inside, but that’s a trait shared with its rivals anyway. Four average-sized adults can fit snugly, but any more and it’ll be a squeeze. It does have a fairly large boot though, with 430 litres of cargo capacity on offer.

They all add up to make the 2 GC a very attractive value proposition for those looking for a small luxury sedan in Singapore, and it goes to prove that opting for a more affordable BMW need not mean settling for a lesser product.

Continue to page 4: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5