Compare the2022 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2020 Toyota 86

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW 2 Series 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 86 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 2 Series has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The 86 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 86 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M240i has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The 86 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series’ lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The 86 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 2 Series offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 86 only offers a rear monitor.

The 2 Series’ blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The 86 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series’ standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 86 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 2 Series has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 86 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the 2 Series and the 86 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The BMW 2 Series weighs 682 to 1095 pounds more than the Toyota 86. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

The 2 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 86’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 2 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the 86’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the 86 (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

The battery on the 2 Series is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 2 Series’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The 86’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th.

Engine

The 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (255 vs. 200) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 151) than the 86’s optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 230i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (255 vs. 205) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 156) than the 86’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 177 more horsepower (382 vs. 205) and 213 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 156) than the 86’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the 86:

			MPG
2 Series
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
86
	Manual	2.0 DOHC flat-4	21 city/28 hwy
	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	24 city/32 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 2 Series’ 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 86 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The BMW 2 Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the 86.

All wheel drive, available in the 2 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Toyota 86 is not available with all wheel drive.

The 2 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The 86 doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 2 Series has larger standard tires than the 86 (225/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The 2 Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 86 (F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The 2 Series’ optional 255/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 86 TRD Special Edition’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 230i has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 86. The M240i’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the 86 TRD Special Edition.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The 86 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 2 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The 86’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 2 Series 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 86’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the 86 (107.9 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 86.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the 86’s (55.2% to 44.8%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 86 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The 2 Series has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the 86.

Cargo Capacity

The 2 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the 86 (10 vs. 6.9 cubic feet).

The 2 Series’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 86’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The 86’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. The 86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The 2 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 86 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the 2 Series to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement and brake pad replacement, vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 86.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 20% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

The 2 Series 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 86 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the 2 Series, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The 86 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 2 Series 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 86 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the front windows are left open on the 2 Series w/Comfort Access the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 86 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 2 Series’ 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 86’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the 2 Series detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The 86 doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 2 Series offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 86 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 2 Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota only offers heated mirrors on the 86 GT/Hakone.

When the 2 Series 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 86’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series’ 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 86 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The 86 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 86 GT/Hakone.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 86 doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 2 Series offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The 86 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 86 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The M235i/M240i was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 7 years. The 86 hasn’t been picked since 2013.

The 2 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The 86 hasn’t been picked since 2014.