2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2025 BMW 2 Series

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid showcased a modern and sleek design with significant styling updates. Its front fascia featured a streamlined look with a single slim lightbar, known as the “seamless horizon lamp,” giving it a contemporary flair. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear family resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding some of its more polarizing design elements. The rear end of the Sonata was updated to resemble the new Hyundai Santa Fe, with a wide “H” shape formed by the taillights and a sporty black spoiler-esque trunk lid. From the side, the 2024 model closely resembled its 2023 predecessor, with our Limited-trim test car featuring 17-inch wheels and a fashionable enamel gray color called “Transmission Blue,” which was available at no extra cost.

Inside, the Sonata Hybrid retained its seats from the previous year, but the dashboard received a makeover. The vents extended across the dash, and the center console was redesigned to separate into two pieces when opened. The gear shifter was moved to the steering column, and the steering wheel was redesigned into a T-shape with a slender rim, replacing the italicized “H” logo with a bar featuring four dots spelling out “H” in Morse code. Three interior color schemes were available, with our test car featuring a basic black interior. Other options included a light gray and a tan and charcoal combo, the latter being our favorite.

The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, a four-door model, stood out as an anomaly in BMW's lineup due to its unique platform shared with the Mini Cooper, making it the most affordable BMW. This platform required a taller hood to accommodate the sideways-mounted engine, giving it a profile more akin to a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Despite lacking the athletic stance of its two-door counterpart, the Gran Coupe maintained a traditional BMW twin-kidney grille, avoiding the oversized nostrils seen in some recent models. From the front and rear views, it could easily pass as any other BMW sedan or coupe.

Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's current design language, featuring a large glossy panel enclosing the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. Our M235 xDrive test vehicle boasted a sport steering wheel, M Division-inspired color accents, and the optional M Performance package, which added sport front seats. The interior materials were comparable to base-model BMWs, with sturdy, soft-touch surfaces and convincing metallic accents. Despite its Mini Cooper origins, the cabin exuded the sporty seriousness expected from a BMW, with the only hint of its origins being the steering-wheel buttons.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for the first time, although it was limited to the gas version, with the Hybrid remaining front-wheel-drive (FWD) only. The Sonata Hybrid's 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a total system output of 192 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most hybrids that use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Sonata Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of 47 mpg combined, offering additional control with its automatic transmission. The steering wheel-mounted paddles allowed for regenerative braking management in Eco mode and gear shifting in Sport mode. The steering feel and handling were commendable, and the configurable driver-information display provided simultaneous views of the tachometer and hybrid system's power flow.

The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The entry-level 228 xDrive Gran Coupe delivered 241 horsepower, while the M235 xDrive Gran Coupe we tested increased output to 312 horsepower. Both models featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with AWD as standard. The M235 xDrive further benefited from upgraded brakes, a rear spoiler, unique interior trim, sport seats, and a sport steering wheel. The optional M Performance package added a sport suspension, M brakes, M Sport seats, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires, enabling a top speed of 155 mph. BMW claimed the M235 could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while the 228 achieved it in 6 seconds. The xDrive AWD system effectively eliminated front-end traction issues, providing ample grip for cornering. The adaptive dampers allowed for adjustable ride settings, with the M Performance package leaning toward a firmer ride. The cabin remained comfortable for long drives, with minimal wind and road noise.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with the driver's seat adjustable for exceptional visibility. The Limited trim's panoramic moonroof provided 37.8 inches of front-seat headroom, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Rear-seat headroom was equally competitive, with 37.4 inches available with the moonroof. The Sonata prioritized front-row legroom with 46.1 inches, while rear-seat passengers received 34.8 inches. The Limited-trim test car featured heated and ventilated seats, a slimmer steering wheel rim, and a trunk close button for added convenience.

The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe featured front sport seats with deep side bolstering for support during spirited driving. The gear selector lever on the center console was intuitive, surrounded by capacitive-touch buttons that were occasionally activated accidentally. The instrument panel was well-placed within the driver's sightline, with an available head-up display for reduced distraction. The dashboard's minimalist air vent slots added to the modern look, though the remote toggle for adjusting airflow direction seemed over-engineered. Storage space was adequate, with a small tray, wireless charging pad, and cup holders. Rear-seat legroom was sufficient, but headroom was limited, and the narrow door opening required care to avoid bumping into the roofline. The trunk offered a 12 cubic-foot capacity, accommodating large suitcases with convenient seat-back release levers for expanded space.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a selectable functionality for the driver's side front USB-C port, allowing it to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes. This feature was particularly useful for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available on all trims. The curved display, previously seen in the Ioniq 5 and Santa Fe, combined the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display into a single panel. The Limited trim included navigation, natural language voice-recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. A six-speaker sound system, HD Radio, Sirius XM, and two rear-seat USB charging ports were standard, along with a wireless charging pad.

The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The optional Technology package added a 12.3-inch customizable instrument panel and a head-up display. While the infotainment system was intuitive for basic functions, some secondary features required navigating through menus. Physical climate control buttons were moved to the touchscreen, anchored for consistent access. Voice-activated controls helped alleviate some frustration, but not all user settings were included. The Gran Coupe featured remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with the BMW Digital Key Plus allowing the phone to double as a key fob. Over-the-air software updates ensured system and map updates, with streaming audio and video services available through the infotainment display.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features such as blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning and assist, lane-following and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert. The Limited trim added a turn-signal-activated blind-spot-view monitor, surround-view monitor, Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Hyundai's infotainment system made safety features easy to find and operate, with clear graphics explaining each function.

The 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered standard safety features like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, front and rear parking proximity sensors, and a semi-automated parking system. The optional Driving Assistant Professional package included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, and traffic jam assist. A surround-view camera system and head-up display were available with the Technology package. Our test vehicle included all available safety features, which performed reliably without false alarms. Crash test results were not yet available, but the Gran Coupe was expected to achieve similar ratings to its predecessor, which earned top scores in IIHS crash tests.