Compare the2024 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2024 Hyundai Sonata

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sonata doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Sonata have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Sonata’s (12 vs. 7 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 16 points higher than the Sonata.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe third among small premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Sonata isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The 228i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (228 vs. 191) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 12 more horsepower (302 vs. 290) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 311) than the Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 228i Gran Coupe is faster than the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl.:

	2 Series Gran Coupe	Sonata
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	7.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	93 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the 228i FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Sonata N Line 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder FWD (24 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/32 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sonata doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Sonata doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sonata:

	2 Series Gran Coupe	M235i xDrive Gran Coupe	Sonata SEL	Sonata N Line
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.2 inches	12 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	11.2 inches	12.8 inches

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sonata are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the Sonata (225/45R17 vs. 215/55R17).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata’s 55 series tires. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Sonata N Line’s 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Sonata doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Sonata’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 2.8 inches shorter than the Sonata, making the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 24.5 inches, while the Sonata’s liftover is 27 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The Sonata’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The Sonata doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 35% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Sonata doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the 2 Series Gran Coupe, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Sonata doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sonata doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sonata’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Sonata’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sonata doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the 2 Series Gran Coupe is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Sonata’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sonata offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Sonata doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Sonata offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Hyundai Sonata, based on reliability, safety and performance.