mReview: BMW 216 Gran Coupe – Feeling Fresh

The all-new BMW 216 Gran Coupe feels fresh and youthful, injecting some life into the BMW model lineup.

What’s Great

• A brilliant chassis gives the 216 very enjoyable handling characteristics.
• Very efficient engine, averaging 14.6km/L even with lots of idling and driving in heavy traffic.
• It's a very stylish and modern car, perfect for the stylish and modern car buyer.

What’s Good

• Boot space is very generous for a car of its size, though it does sacrifice rear cabin room.
• BMW's assisted parking feature works a treat.
• A little less engine power than we'd like, but it'll still be zippy enough for most people.

What’s Not Great

• The 216 misses out on many equipment offerings competitors have, like a 360° camera, adaptive cruise control, a co-branded premium sound system, and heated/ventilated seats.
• Almost all the vehicle functions and settings are accessible only through the infotainment screen.
• It has the same less-than-ideal air-con vent controls as the 520i. 

The 216 Gran Coupe is a smart looking car, with well-proportioned panels and an updated, modern look. Buyers both young and young at heart will have little to complain about here.

While the interior's fit and finish is nothing to complain about, the lack of physical buttons and even conventional air-con vent controls is. Having to take your eyes off the road to adjust simple car functions is not the move.

Lighting design has become very important to carmakers nowadays, with every brand coming up with some form of intricate headlight and taillight design. BMW is no different and the elaborate yet distinctive taillights and headlights on the 216 are testament to that.

In line with BMW's new design language, all models now feature an embossed number on the C-pillar denoting the model range. 

The rear seats of the 216 are not the most spacious ones around, knee and leg room are at a premium and the rather tight door opening can make getting in and out a little clumsy.

A chirpy 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 3-cylinder engine powers the 216. It's Cat A COE-friendly and sips petrol, though with just 122hp, outright speed is not exactly its forte.

In comparison to some of the other cars in the BMW range, the schnozz on the 216 is nowhere near as prominent. The 216's light-up kidney grille is less jarring but no less distinctively BMW.

The boot lid is manual but light and easy to open and shut. The 216 also features 430 litres of cargo space, not too shabby at all for a car of this size.

Download the Motorist App now. Designed by drivers for drivers, this all-in-one app lets you receive the latest traffic updates, gives you access to live traffic cameras, and helps you manage LTA and vehicle matters.