Now that we've driven the CLA, CT4, ILX, A3, and 2-series Gran Coupe, which one of these models would you guys choose? We find the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is the most well rounded, but also the most expensive. Don't forget, a new A3/S3 is on the way next year too!
CLA 45 AMG is insane; then again I guess it should be for ~70k. Realistically, for this segment, I would pick up the new S3. Interior, sound, and styling are a notch above the rest.
I think the ILX is the odd man out in this category - I'd rather just buy a Civic SI. I'd replace it with the G70 because, even though it's not a sub-compact, it certainly falls into this price range.
I bought one and it’s amazing, all these so called “BMW experts” have no idea. The car is a great package and fun to drive I couldn’t be happier with it!
Exactly. Let me say this about Kia / Hyundai. They do an excellent job of taking certain aspects of car designs from America, Germany, Sweden and Japan to a certain extent, and incorporated into their designs. The result is some very beautiful work.
The M235i is the car for me. You can get one fully loaded for under 55K. Very fun to drive. I will be adding 60+ hp with a couple mods to make this a mini rocket.
Noticed that too. I guess it must be tough to try to catch yourself doing that in cutting the video and still, you can't go back and just re-shoot it. But a comment on the screen clarifying would be nice.
For less money, I would just go for a decked out Mini Clubman JCW ALL4. Same running gear without the FWD BMW baggage. It also looks better than the 2er GC which just looks like an economy car from a distance.
“Premium” gas is just a marketing gimmick. And it’s never “required” in any production car. This car might be tuned for higher octane fuel, And will perform better on it, but it’s never “required.”
Have a look at rue M135i. Its the same car but a 5 door hatch. I almost bought one when I was in Sydney earlier in the year but i left the country and I am locked out. It looks much better as a hatch. Too bad it's not available in N America.
BMW’s Chief Designer has been doing a HORRIBLE job, discarding the classic lines of BMWs and taking the marque down to look awkward and following trends like huge low grilles. I’m at the point in my life where I can afford a BMW for the first time and I would never consider their cars now because the styling is so off putting. Look at how high the bonnet connects to the A-pillar compared to the door handle, it just looks bizarre
Hell, that looks like a Ford Focus from the side. QUESTION - noticed when you were accelerating it, 3 times I think I saw this, you seemed to lurch forward during the shifts several times - was the transmission that rough shifting?
This is not a very faithful BMW design. It has always reminded me of a small Kia and in this video I saw a little Buick Verano @4:23 in the rear quarter of the design from the lower rear door all the way to the top of the trunk
300 hp inline-4 and it’s front drive chassis? Another damn 2.0 turbo. Gonna be an endless money pit as according to Kilmer trying to squeeze that kind of power into something that dinky. Sorta heavy too. Not worth it for this price.
I actually bought this car and couldnt be happier. Its AMAZING on icy and snow covered roads with winter tires. Lots of room for a small car. Lots of power for a 4 cylinder and feels very nimble. Very comfortable and I love being able to start the car with my cell phone from anywhere. Get the upgrade speakers, its worth it. My only dislike is the SMALL parking button is on the drive selector ?!?!?!
@@f181234 just because “no body” buys the stinger doesn’t mean the fwd bmw is better than the stinger bud McDonald’s sells the most hamburgers out of any other fast food chain, does it mean it’s better than every other burger? Absolutely not
This has a short, stubby hood. Headlights are too huge. Greenhouse looks like was lifted from a Buick Verano. Proportions and styling are just all wrong.
50k for this garbage? That’s absurd just buy a Kia stinger, it’s bigger more horsepower and way for features, also it looks good unlike this ... thing.
@@leonsam84 the S will be a good option too, but even the A has ~270 hp, is a touch bigger and will probably save you 5-6k vs the m235 - it’s pretty close.
The problem with this car is the bmw fan boys that are upset that it's no longer "Traditional" this car in person with the right wheels 554m wheels looks brilliant and drives brilliant. People need to move with the times.
This actually has an Aisin 8 speed auto, pretty similar to the Camry 8 speed along with many other FWD cars. It’s a decent transmission but it has its characteristic tall 1-3 gears.
Anyone else think this was a hatchback from the thumbnail? Lol the road in the background makes the car look like it’s roof is extended.. actually looks much better that way 😂
Looks like a Kia Forte or Ford Focus sedan. Built on an SUV crossover platform. FWD-biased. Has four doors. And as per Sofyan, drives like an SUV. ...BMW calls it a 'Gran Coupe'
I drove this car along with a rear wheel drive 340i at a BMW event autocross track. This car made the 340i feel like a big heavy pig at that autocross track. Rear wheel drive based, front wheel drive based, it didn't matter this car was so much more fun around the autocross track than that 340i. And I'm sure the same would apply to any race track situation other than a straight line. The 340i isn't the sublime, rear wheel drive, perfectly balanced car that you're making it out to be. From a driving standpoint after driving the two vehicles very hard, the m235i is far superior than the 3 series when it comes to handling feel, and also was quicker around the course by alot.
I drive a 2014 Focus Sedan, and this 2 Series "Gran Coupe" from the side profile has an awful resemblance to my daily driver. Is it a good car? Yes it's fine. Is it worth the money BMW is charging? Nope!
As per Car & Driver, the M235i is very quick 0-60mph (4.2 sec), but they found it has really bad turbo lag and does 5-60mph much slower (6.0 sec). Which means that if you're not using launch control or brake boosting, it's actually slower than a Honda Accord 2.0T (5-60 mph in 5.9 sec).
@@alexl.102 yeah, the Bimmer's turbo lag is pretty bad. The X2 M35i also, 0-60mph in 4.5 sec, but 5-60 is 6.4 sec (barely quicker than a Honda Odyssey 5-60mph 6.7 sec)
Once you get used to the throttle response and know where the tires hook up on the road, you will get close to the 4.2 in normal use. People who are standard type drivers who mash the gas pedal and never have the proper tire pressure, etc, would get lower times, and probably best served by the standard 228i or, just get that basic Accord and blend with the other CVT Accords.
I think the reason BMW did what they did with the Gran Coupe is because the people who would buy the car have never owned a BMW or a luxury car before. People who would be considered "BMW fanboys" would probably just by a 330i anyway. I guess BMW is trying to get brand loyalty because if you've been driving Corollas all your life, the 235i is gonna feel amazing.
The grille color is called black chrome. You could get a full size car like a Ford Taurus and get heated and cooled seats 280 hp, way more space, way less cost. You'd have to have a real hard on for owning a "BMW" to get waaaaay less car for your money.
This car is a pure market share exercise. Someone in the ranks said "make a sedan that looks like a crossover, price it around $45K, give it power, and don't worry about the way it drives as long as its got M bits." This is a mess of a car and any other automaker doing this would be shunned endlessly. We should hold BMW to the same account. This will depreciate hugely and for this money, this should be a car to desire, not to simply "tolerate." BMW can, and used to, do better.
Got a 2021 one of these off a lease Saved big bucks with only 19k miles like new. Love it. Fast and nimble. Like the button to shut off auto-stop start feature.
I think you did a great job reviewing this car. This segment has grown, it’s A LOT going on! But you did a great job explaining your position on the m235i considering it’s competitors. I think this interior is more luxurious and just looks better than the CT4-V but I think the Cadillac has the best exterior design in the class. It’s also the best driving car, and most spacious feeling interior so I’d choose it over these reasons. I actually like the rear-end of this bmw m235i! I think it’s beautiful in white. Mercedes-Benz CLA AMG 45 doesn’t look as good as these two but may be more attractive than the S3, at least until the redesign is revealed.
Kia fanboys all up in the comments, are we ignoring the fact that Kia/Hyundai has had issues developing a reliable car? The Veloster has issues with LSPI and now a recall for spontaneous combustion sending your car into flames. Also even though these new BMWs are ugly (they shouldn’t have made the kidneys so large) , they still look better and have a better interior than the Kia. Personally I’d prefer the S3
“Premium” gas is just a marketing gimmick. And it’s never “required” in any production car. This car might be tuned for higher octane fuel, And will perform better on it, but it’s never “required.”
“Premium” gas is just a marketing gimmick. And it’s never “required” in any production car. This car might be tuned for higher octane fuel, And will perform better on it, but it’s never “required.”
$50k for an ugly, FWD biased vehicle that doesnt even offer heated seats?......hell no, i rather get a fully loaded Accord , Camry, or Sonata N.....My 2006 honda accord have heated seats lol
Man it just looks so awkward proportionally... You have xcellently proportioned FWD cars like the new Accord or TLX and then this just looks so awkward. Edit now that i've watched more of this: FIFTY FUCKING GRAND and no heated seats? And a car that looks like a shitty cross between an X6 and a kia forte? Why would you ever buy this over an A3/S3, a stinger gt, infiniti q60, or literally any moderately sporty new car out there?
In person it looks better, but still Not a fan. No 3 series driver is consciously shopping this car. This car is designed for a generation of late 20's, early 30's whose boring ass 90's parents told them growing up Camry's & Accords, were the way to go and now ask "why don't you look at a CRV, or even these new Kia's are nice." Its entry level,,,, for BMW. And banging low to mid 4's for 0-60 and 13.5 quarters for that price. Have to go back to 2007 335i's for all of that. Which costs the same 13 years ago, and yeah it has no soul, about as much as the avg person on here with everything else not related to driving.
I really like this a little ride. But $50,000 Plus, come on now, I've said it before and I'll say it again these automobile makers are straight-up greedy. And they're using technology as the excuse for high prices. Going to catch up with them all eventually. And eventually will be soon.
11:30 "but there is other features as long as you pay extra" yo didn't I pay extra already with 50 000$ it's a 4-cyl FWD... do I need to pay 60k for an "entry model" with heated seats? I feel like the pricing is weird for this car man, you see my point right... you can have pretty crazy good car for 50k with heated seats and less plastic everywhere
No heated/cooled seats in any luxury vehicle is egregious. If my Hyundai Elantra GT offers them than every luxury car should have heated and cooled seats as standard. Stop price gouging BMW, Mercedes and Audi
Bad design, bad driving, not a BMW. They could have done better, I rather buy the Audi A3, Merc A class or even Kia. Need a refresh asap, the rear is ugly, side profile is too high. Such ashamed, so much potential!
