Compare the2022 Dodge ChallengerVS 2021 BMW M2

The Challenger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The M2 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Challenger offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The M2 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Challenger’s optional 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 M2 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 Challenger’s optional 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 M2 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Challenger and the M2 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, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Challenger 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Dodge dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Challenger’s warranty.

The M2’s redline is at 7600 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Challenger has a 5800 to 6500 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Dodge vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 80 more horsepower (485 vs. 405) and 69 lbs.-ft. more torque (475 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Challenger SRT Super Stock’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 402 more horsepower (807 vs. 405) and 301 lbs.-ft. more torque (707 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the BMW M2 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Challenger SRT Hellcat 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the BMW M2 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Challenger gets better mileage than the M2:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Challenger 5.7/6.4 V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The M2 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Challenger has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (18.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Dodge Challenger comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M2.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Dodge Challenger, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the M2.

All wheel drive, available in the Challenger, 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 BMW M2 is not available with all wheel drive.

The Challenger stops shorter than the M2:

For better traction, the Challenger SRT Super Stock’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the M2 (315/40R18 vs. 245/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Challenger offers optional 20-inch wheels. The M2’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Challenger has a standard space-saver spare (not available on R/T Scat Pack/Hellcat/Super Stock) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the M2; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Challenger offers an optional 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 M2’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Challenger’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the M2 (116 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Challenger is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the M2.

For better maneuverability, the Challenger SXT/R/T’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the M2’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Challenger has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The M2 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Challenger Scat Pack is quieter than the M2 Competition (85 vs. 87 dB).

The Challenger has standard seating for 5 passengers; the M2 can only carry 4.

The Challenger has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M2 (93.7 vs. 89.7).

The Challenger has .5 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the M2.

The Challenger has a much larger trunk than the M2 (16.2 vs. 13.8 cubic feet).

The Challenger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The M2 has no towing capacity.

The Challenger Automatic 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 M2 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Challenger’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M2 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Challenger has standard extendable sun visors. The M2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Challenger’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The M2’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Challenger keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The M2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Challenger has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The M2 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Challenger (except Redeye/Super Stock/Manual) offers an optional Adaptive 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 M2 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Dodge Challenger, based on reliability, safety and performance.