Compare the2022 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2022 Toyota GR 86

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 2 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GR 86 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the GR 86 Premium has a rear cross-path warning system.

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

The BMW 2 Series weighs 651 to 1060 pounds more than the Toyota GR 86. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 GR 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 GR 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 GR 86 (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

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 GR 86’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The GR 86 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (294 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (382 vs. 228) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 184) than the GR 86’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GR 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 GR 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 GR 86 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GR 86:

The 2 Series stops shorter than the GR 86:

For better traction, the 2 Series has larger standard tires than the GR 86 (225/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The M240i Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GR 86 (F:245/35R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The M240i Coupe’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR 86 Premium’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 GR 86. The M240i’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the GR 86 Premium.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the GR 86 (107.9 inches vs. 101.4 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 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GR 86.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the GR 86’s (55.3% to 44.7%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 2 Series has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the GR 86.

The 2 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the GR 86 (10 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 2 Series. The GR 86 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The 2 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR 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.

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.

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 GR 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 GR 86 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR 86 has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 GR 86’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

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 GR 86 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series 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 GR 86 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The 2 Series’ standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The GR 86’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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

The 2 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The GR 86 has never been an “All Star.”

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Toyota GR 86 by over 11 to one during the 2021 model year.