G22 Design: Time Hasn’t Changed My Mind

AvielShimoni · 05-21-2025, 03:17 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

After five years on the market, I still feel that the design of the BMW G22 (excluding the M4 an G20) hasn’t aged well. Usually, bold or controversial BMW designs—like the E60 or even the F20—tend to grow on people over time. But in this case, the oversized kidney grilles and awkward proportions continue to feel out of place and disconnected from the brand’s classic design language. In my opinion, it still doesn’t meet the standard of taste and appeal we’ve come to expect from BMW.

Of course, this is just my personal view, and I wanted to share it. Feel free to disagree—respectful discussion is always welcome.

ubercruise · 05-21-2025, 11:17 AM

I feel like the nostalgia factor starts hitting once the car in question is a gen or two old, not while it's still contemporary. I tend to reserve judgment in terms of how a car ages until there's a newer design to compare against (or if there just isn't a new gen for an extended period of time, which for me is more like 10 years). Just my 2c. Of course we can still be critical/judgmental of a design in the moment, I'm just referring specifically to the aging aspect.

Brandoch · 05-21-2025, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spam__EllsworthQuigley_k

In my opinion, BMW wanted to create a clear distinction between the 3 series and the 4 series, so they chose a strong separation in design.

Tell me more about what chat gpt says.

Germanauto · 05-23-2025, 12:11 AM

Agreed, it just doesn't look good and never will.

The sedan variant is very chunky and tall thanks to needing to accommodate the EV battery. And the coupe, face aside, has oddly soft lines on the side. Just an unappealing car overall to me.

ojt · 05-23-2025, 01:23 AM

Opinions. I like it, perhaps among the best looking BMWs, even historically. Instead the whole 7 series and the current 5 series are horrendous for me. And the new 1 and 2.

W2k · 05-23-2025, 08:57 AM

I think the current 5-series/G60 and 7-series/G70 are awesome looking cars and a huge step up from what came before. The 5-series in particular hasn't really appealed to me since the days of the E39. I was always more of a 3-series guy (E92/E93 in particular).

When it came time to buy a new car, I wanted a BEV sedan, but I absolutely could not stomach the design of the 4-series/G22. I went as far as to go look for aftermarket front end kits that I could slap on right after purchase.

With time, that feeling hasn't changed a bit. It still looks absolutely dreadful to my eyes. I ended up buying the i5 even though it's really way too big for my needs. Of course, this means BMW ended up getting quite a bit more of my money, so I'm sure they're not complaining...

xlover · 05-23-2025, 10:00 AM

I mostly agree

Strangely I actually like the i4 gran coupe front end, for some reason in my brain it works as an electric gran coupe but not ice. Maybe becuase the comparison set is other evs?

The g22 ice and g8x front ends are disappointments, I don’t have the same visceral negative reaction as some but I am just sad. The g20 3 was such a good expression of the modern bmw styling it would have made a great basis for a coupe and m versions. I think this is an instance where the internal pressure for differentiation went the wrong way. A differentiation level closer to the f30/f32 would have been just right.

NSXR · 05-23-2025, 10:25 AM

I feel the same. And honestly, I haven't gotten used to any G-Series BMW. They all have bad design language on top of a bad base shapes, but very cool details. Unfortunately, details can't save them. I'd rather have bland details on top of a great base shape and better design language.

NickyC · 05-23-2025, 10:43 AM

G series for the most part cannot go away soon enough.

WeryPert1 · 05-23-2025, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSXR

I feel the same. And honestly, I haven't gotten used to any G-Series BMW.

Whoa, there. I know we're mostly talking Coupes/Sedans here but I'd argue the G05 X5 is actually pretty damn great looking.

NSXR · 05-24-2025, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeryPert1

Whoa, there. I know we're mostly talking Coupes/Sedans here but I'd argue the G05 X5 is actually pretty damn great looking.

Because the departure isn't nearly as great as the others. And don't forget that the F85 would easily win the majority of hearts when it comes to aesthetics.

wrickem · 05-29-2025, 06:01 AM

I’m on the other end of the spectrum.

When I saw a G22 in person for the first time I knew I had to have one with that grill that was completely different than any other BMW. And I thought the rest of my car was beautiful with subtle curves and creases.

I’ve moved on to an 840 which has a more classic grill, but also feel like this design is a little old fashioned and safe with its styling.

05-21-2025, 03:17 AM	#1
AvielShimoni New Member 9 Rep 5 Posts Drives: F32 420i \| F10 520i Join Date: May 2025 Location: Jerusalem iTrader: (0)	G22 Design: Time Hasn’t Changed My Mind Featured on BIMMERPOST.com After five years on the market, I still feel that the design of the BMW G22 (excluding the M4 an G20) hasn’t aged well. Usually, bold or controversial BMW designs—like the E60 or even the F20—tend to grow on people over time. But in this case, the oversized kidney grilles and awkward proportions continue to feel out of place and disconnected from the brand’s classic design language. In my opinion, it still doesn’t meet the standard of taste and appeal we’ve come to expect from BMW. Of course, this is just my personal view, and I wanted to share it. Feel free to disagree—respectful discussion is always welcome.
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05-21-2025, 11:17 AM	#2
ubercruise Lieutenant 1104 Rep 599 Posts Drives: 2024 iX 50 Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: PHX, USA iTrader: (0)	I feel like the nostalgia factor starts hitting once the car in question is a gen or two old, not while it's still contemporary. I tend to reserve judgment in terms of how a car ages until there's a newer design to compare against (or if there just isn't a new gen for an extended period of time, which for me is more like 10 years). Just my 2c. Of course we can still be critical/judgmental of a design in the moment, I'm just referring specifically to the aging aspect. __________________ 2024 iX xDrive50 \| Dark Graphite Metallic \| Black Int. \| DAPP \| Conv. \| Sport / 21" DB \| 03/2025.71
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05-23-2025, 12:11 AM	#4
Germanauto Major General 9379 Rep 6,160 Posts Drives: Alfa Giulia Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Cal iTrader: (0)	Agreed, it just doesn't look good and never will. The sedan variant is very chunky and tall thanks to needing to accommodate the EV battery. And the coupe, face aside, has oddly soft lines on the side. Just an unappealing car overall to me. __________________ Former -2008 E90 328 black/brown -2012 Lexus IS250 black/black
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05-23-2025, 01:23 AM	#5
ojt Noob. 21 Rep 60 Posts Drives: F20 114i (06/2014) Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Verona, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F20 114i [0.00]	Opinions. I like it, perhaps among the best looking BMWs, even historically. Instead the whole 7 series and the current 5 series are horrendous for me. And the new 1 and 2.
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05-23-2025, 08:57 AM	#6
W2k Private 302 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	I think the current 5-series/G60 and 7-series/G70 are awesome looking cars and a huge step up from what came before. The 5-series in particular hasn't really appealed to me since the days of the E39. I was always more of a 3-series guy (E92/E93 in particular). When it came time to buy a new car, I wanted a BEV sedan, but I absolutely could not stomach the design of the 4-series/G22. I went as far as to go look for aftermarket front end kits that I could slap on right after purchase. With time, that feeling hasn't changed a bit. It still looks absolutely dreadful to my eyes. I ended up buying the i5 even though it's really way too big for my needs. Of course, this means BMW ended up getting quite a bit more of my money, so I'm sure they're not complaining...
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05-23-2025, 10:00 AM	#7
xlover Colonel 2257 Rep 2,615 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I mostly agree Strangely I actually like the i4 gran coupe front end, for some reason in my brain it works as an electric gran coupe but not ice. Maybe becuase the comparison set is other evs? The g22 ice and g8x front ends are disappointments, I don’t have the same visceral negative reaction as some but I am just sad. The g20 3 was such a good expression of the modern bmw styling it would have made a great basis for a coupe and m versions. I think this is an instance where the internal pressure for differentiation went the wrong way. A differentiation level closer to the f30/f32 would have been just right.
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05-23-2025, 10:25 AM	#8
NSXR Banned 2141 Rep 624 Posts Drives: Acura NSX Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I feel the same. And honestly, I haven't gotten used to any G-Series BMW. They all have bad design language on top of a bad base shapes, but very cool details. Unfortunately, details can't save them. I'd rather have bland details on top of a great base shape and better design language.
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05-23-2025, 10:43 AM	#9
NickyC Lieutenant General 20494 Rep 11,633 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	G series for the most part cannot go away soon enough.
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05-29-2025, 06:01 AM	#12
wrickem reads things 2548 Rep 3,940 Posts Drives: What he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville/Sea Girt NJ iTrader: (0)	I’m on the other end of the spectrum. When I saw a G22 in person for the first time I knew I had to have one with that grill that was completely different than any other BMW. And I thought the rest of my car was beautiful with subtle curves and creases. I’ve moved on to an 840 which has a more classic grill, but also feel like this design is a little old fashioned and safe with its styling.
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