2014 BMW 2 Series
While large BMW’s undoubtedly have a lot to offer, it’s always been the small ones that we’ve like best. Well one of our favorites, the 1 Series coupe is no more. But take heart, that doesn’t mean it’s gone. It’s just wearing a new name, and with it, a whole new attitude!
By now you should be up to speed on BMW’s naming strategy of even number series for coupes and odds for sedans. Well, the latest to fall in line is the 2014 BMW 2 Series, of which this M235i is the current top rung.
But don’t let the “M” name fool you, it’s not a full on M car, but an M “Performance” model. Sort of a tweener if you will, between garden-variety Bimmers and full on M monsters. Basically, more performance, without any compromise in comfort. It makes for a fun factor that’s hard to top in value.
While the 2 replaces the 1 Series Coupe in the lineup, it’s more than a name change. The 2 has gotten bigger, though thankfully not by too much. Every dimension is increased; with overall length up most; 2.8-inches to 174.5. To further distinguish itself, styling is a bit more dramatic; though still fairly conservative; with just enough Teutonic cool to attract more ironic hipsters and young professionals.
Power in our M235i is from a familiar 3.0-liter BMW turbo I6. We’ve lost count of how many BMW’s we’ve driven with this engine and we still love it. It has gotten some M Performance specific tweaks here that raise horsepower to 320 and torque to 330 lb-ft. The base 228i comes with a still competent 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4.
An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, as in our test car, is standard; and we found nothing to complain about as shifts are quick in auto mode and response very good when in manual mode. You can still opt for a 6-speed manual, as well.
But, enough sitting still. It’s off to our test track, where the M235i promptly moved off the line with what feels like the perfect amount of power, launching to 60 in an entertaining 5.2-seconds. There’s very little drop off in power as the trans quickly works its way through the gears and to the end of the ¼-mile in 14.0-seconds at 102 miles-per-hour.
A mostly aluminum structure for a typical BMW 50/50 weight balance allows you to push through the corners with minimal loss of speed, and great grip, as well. Suspension design is a double-pivot spring strut arrangement up front and a 5-link in the rear. Adaptive M suspension and electronically controlled shock absorbers are standard on the M235i, with an optional mechanical limited slip rear differential.
Steering feels great both at the wheel and through the chassis. The M235i has the most steering feedback of any BMW we’ve driven in a long time. Brakes, however, not so much. Feedback here is middle of the road with a softish pedal. Still, stops were quick; 115 feet from 60 with excellent stability.
Inside we found a very familiar BMW layout with high quality materials and well done controls throughout the driver-focused space. Yes, that comment even includes iDrive. Front sport seats provide good comfort and support with moderate bolstering. Rear seats however, much less so with merely a suggestion of legroom. Trunk space is actually fairly good for a sporting coupe at 13.8 cubic-ft.; aided by folding seatbacks for more cartage room when needed.
A Driving Experience Control is standard with settings for Comfort, Sport, Sport +, and Eco Pro. Playing with the different modes alters the driving experience noticeably, but Sport or Sport + is where it’s at for us.
But, if this is your first BMW, you might find the ride in those settings quite stiff. Comfort mode helps somewhat, or you can just do your best to avoid broken pavement. No matter which mode you’re in, the exhaust note is great, growling without being obnoxious.
For a small car, it has an overall very solid, almost heavy feel. Not in a bad way; it just feels more substantial and competent than light and toss able.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings for our automatic come in at 22-City, 32-Highway, and 25-Combined. We averaged a fine 25.2 miles-per-gallon in a mildly executed loop of driving. The Energy Impact Score is 13.2-barrels of oil used and 5.8-tons of CO2 emitted annually.
At the risk of going all fanboy, we’ll say that the M235i is just about a perfect package. But perfection never comes cheap with a base price of $44,025. The base, and still very competent, 228i is much more accessible at $33,025.
The 2014 BMW M235i is truly one excellent car. No other premium subcompact coupe comes close. It drives like passionate BMW fans think every BMW should. So, if you’re in the position to leave the family behind, it’s an incredibly fun ride. Proof that sometimes numbers can work in your favor.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter
- Horsepower: 320
- Torque: 330 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 14.0 seconds @ 102 mph
- EPA: 22 mpg city/ 32 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 13.2 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 5.8 tons/yr
2025 Infiniti QX80
Infiniti’s Flagship SUV Sets A Course For Extravagance
This full-size Infiniti QX80 started out as the QX56, a hastily rebadged version of Nissan’s truck-based Armada full-size utility. That was in the early 2000s when the luxury SUV craze was exploding. It wasn’t as much as a game-changer, as it was “try to keep upper”. Now, this new QX80, Infiniti is promising to “Reimagine the luxury SUV”. Let’s see if Infiniti has turned their imaginations into reality.
Well, if over the top is what Infiniti was shooting for in the all-new 2025 QX80, mission accomplished. There’s an overall feeling of extravagance here that we haven’t experienced from Infiniti in quite some time.
It’s not just the open pore ash wood trim with aluminum inlays, 24-speaker audio, and plush quilted leather seating; there’s also nicely integrated ambient lighting, a massive glass roof, plenty of tech, lots of active driving assistance, and even chilled center console storage. Forward of that is a dual touchscreen setup; the top 14.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment sits next to the digital gauge display in a single housing; while just below, there’s a 9-inch one for climate controls.
You are reminded this is still a body-on-frame utility the moment you have to climb up into the cockpit, but there’s also the commanding view of the road that comes with that. Captain’s chairs are standard for the second row, but a three-place bench is optional with all trims except for top Autograph which comes exclusively with these climate-controlled massaging chairs, along with a touchscreen control panel. The third-row experience is great, too, with heated leather seating, and adult size room for three.
Now, there is a whole new experience coming from under the hood. The last gen’s V8 has been replaced with a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 rated at 450 horsepower, 50 over the V8. More notably, torque is up by more than 100 lb-ft to 516. Transmission is a nine-speed automatic, two more gears than last year, with rear-wheel drive standard, four-wheel drive an option. Max tow rating is 8,500-lbs.
And at the test track, it did pull strongly off the line, getting up to speed in a hurry with the 0-60 sprint taking just 6.3 seconds. There is roughly 3 tons of weight to push through the quarter-mile, but that twin-turbo does it well, finishing in 14.7 seconds at 95 mph. Gear changes are incredibly smooth, while not hindering acceleration in any way.
It's an impressive looking utility from any angle.
In panic braking runs, there was some fade and a considerable amount of nosedive, but our average stopping distance of 115 feet is not bad for a vehicle as big and heavy as the QX80. Last gen, the QX80 moved from the Titan truck platform to the global Patrol SUV chassis, which shifted the vibe from budget Escalade to Lexus LX fighter. The attending improvement in ride and handling was the real bonus, and that largely continues for this gen with air suspension and Dynamic Digital Dampers on all but base QX80s. While we could certainly feel all that weight through our cone course, body roll was well-controlled and without significant oversteer or understeer.
It’s an impressive looking utility from any angle, starting right up front with the big “bamboo forest” grille. The overall shape is boxy, but all body panels are smooth; and for better or worse, Infiniti joins the flush door handle fad. Look for its “Artistry In Motion” design theme to work its way down through the rest of the Infiniti lineup. All QX80s ride on 22-inch wheels except for base Pure trim which makes do with 20s.
A full power play includes standard motion-activated rear liftgate and power operation of both second and third row seats, expanding cargo capacity from 22 cu-ft behind the third row to 59 behind the second, and a max of 101.0 cu-ft with both rows folded.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings with four-wheel-drive are not great: 16 city, 19 highway and 17 combined. We averaged 18.6 mpg of premium. That’s a much worse than average Energy Impact Score, using 17.5 barrels of oil annually, with 8.6 tons of CO2 emissions.
Driving such a PUREly LUXEurious SENSORY overload, you’ll probably be expecting people to want your AUTOGRAPH, which we’re guessing is how Infiniti came up with their grade structure; pricing starts with Pure at $84,445 and climbs to $112,590 for Autograph.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is a massive SUV that delivers massive amounts of power and luxury. They aimed for the moon here and have clearly blasted themselves into a much more competitive orbit in the big buck, big hauler, sport-utility galaxy.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 450
- Torque: 516 lb-ft.
- EPA: 16 City | 19 Highway | 17 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 14.7 seconds at 95 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 115 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 18.6 mpg (Premium)
