MotorTrend received two BMW vehicles in their care to test out for several months. One was the 2 Series Gran Coupe, and the other was the BMW X1. 

Both had their good points and bad points, but one of them, the BMW X1, proved to be more useful to consumers. MotorTrend lays out what each vehicle offers and why they believe the X1 would be a good choice. 

What’s the deal with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe?

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe can hold a fair amount of items in its 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space. To store longer pieces, you would need to fold down the rear seats to expand the cargo area. There is an under-the-floor storage cubby hole that holds a few more items, but you won’t be able to store any bulkier pieces. 

BMW’s 228i is the 2 Series base model. It offers enough standard features to satisfy most consumers, but you can add a Convenience package, which would get you a panoramic sunroof, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and a keyless entry option, according to Car and Driver. 

Under the hood of the 2 Series is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 228 hp. Paired with it is an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination offers plenty of zip to get a 5.1 second acceleration time for a 0 to 60 mph run. Fuel economy is rated at 32 mpg on the highway. 

The other trim level to the Gran Coupe is the M235i, which sports the same motor. However, it generates 301 hp and has an acceleration time of 4.2 seconds for a 0 to 60 mph run.

What’s so good about the BMW X1?

The BMW X1 has the same UKL2 platform that the Gran Coupe does. The difference is that the X1 is about 2.5 inches shorter than the sedan is. However, it makes up for it in the width and height of the vehicle. This is what makes the SUV roomier than the Gran Coupe. 

The new year brought new bumpers for the front and the back, and an 8.8-inch screen, which replaces the previously standard 6.5-inch display. Also, the eight-speed automatic transmission received some tweaks that reportedly enable it to shift quicker and much smoother than last year’s models. 

Powering it up is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gives it plenty of speed. Acceleration time, on an all-wheel-drive model with a 0 to 60 run, is 6.3 seconds. Car and Driver pulled 29 mpg on the highway, which was 2 mpg short of what the EPA estimate was. 

Which one is better?

Nowadays, SUVs are more popular than sedans as they’re perfect family vehicles. While a family can use a sedan to get around, they’re better suited for a single person or for a couple who don’t necessarily need a ton of storage space. 

The cargo space on a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is on the small side. While that may be perfect for one or two people, a small family would need more room than what the sedan has to offer. The X1 has more cargo and can handle bulkier items easier than the sedan.  

BMW’s X1 SUV received five stars overall for NHTSA’s crash test and got a good rating from the IIHS. The 2 Series Gran Coupe hasn’t been tested by either of these organizations yet. 

While the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers plenty for one or two people. But many people go for SUVs since they’re good family vehicles, and they have decent cargo space for storage.