View Photos of the 2020 BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe

BMW's new front-wheel-drive-based compact four door is a good sedan but only a fair BMW.

Published: Apr 1, 2020

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Automotive design, Luxury vehicle, Personal luxury car, Mid-size car, Motor vehicle, Performance car, Executive car,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 2020 228i xDrive is BMW's new entry-level sedan. Not only is it BMW's first sedan that starts with a model number lower than 3, but it's also the first to be based on a front-wheel-drive platform. Read the full story here.

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Automotive design, Luxury vehicle, Motor vehicle, Personal luxury car, Mid-size car, Performance car, Executive car,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Under the 228i xDrive's hood lies a transversely mounted and detuned version of BMW's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, developing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Mid-size car, Automotive design, Full-size car, Family car, Luxury vehicle, Sedan, Sports sedan,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 228i has an excellent driving position, with a steering wheel that can be adjusted lower than on most BMWs.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Mid-size car, Automotive design, Full-size car, Family car, Sedan, Rim, Ford motor company,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 228i's interior has beautiful leather upholstery surrounded by a visual cacophony of at least six types of black plastic finishes.

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Mid-size car, Automotive design, Rim, Full-size car, Luxury vehicle, Sedan, Personal luxury car,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The rear seat in the new 2-series sedan is tight on legroom and headroom.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

This BMW's side window aperture is missing the Hofmeister kink, that forward leaning angle at the forward base of the C-pillar that has been part of BMW's visual DNA for nearly 60 years.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Responsive paddle shifters are standard on the 228i Gran Coupe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

land vehicle, vehicle, car, luxury vehicle, performance car, automotive design, personal luxury car, motor vehicle, wheel, bmw,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 228i's tachometer redline indicates 6500 rpm, but at full throttle the transmission lets the engine rev to at least 6700 rpm.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 2-series sedan's trunk is not huge, but it's a useful shape with a low liftover height.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Land vehicle, Vehicle, Car, Automotive design, Mid-size car, Family car, Full-size car, Luxury vehicle, Sedan, Executive car,

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The 228i's power outlet between the front cupholders is ideally positioned to power a radar detector, but its geometry is incompatible with some popular units.