Compare the2022 Lexus RC FVS 2021 BMW M2

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC F have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The BMW M2 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The RC F’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The M2 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The RC F (except Fuji Speedway Edition)’s 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 RC F (except Fuji Speedway Edition)’s standard rear 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 RC F and the M2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC F the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The M2 has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RC F 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the M2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. BMW is ranked 12th.

The RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 67 more horsepower (472 vs. 405) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RC F gets better fuel mileage than the M2 Competition 7 speed SMG (16 city/24 hwy vs. 16 city/23 hwy).

The RC F has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (17.4 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RC F higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW M2 (3). This means the RC F produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M2 every 15,000 miles.

The Lexus RC F 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 Lexus RC F, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the M2.

The RC F stops shorter than the M2:

For better traction, the RC F has larger tires than the M2 (F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:265/35R19).

The RC F has a standard space-saver spare tire 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 RC F has a standard continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads. The M2’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RC F’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the M2 (107.5 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better maneuverability, the RC F’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the M2’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The design of the Lexus RC F amounts to more than styling. The RC F has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the M2 (.35). A more efficient exterior helps the RC F go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the RC F get better fuel mileage.

The RC F uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The M2 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the RC F is quieter than the M2 Competition:

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 29% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

The RC F has a standard 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the M2, the RC F (except Fuji Speedway Edition) offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RC F (except Fuji Speedway Edition)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The M2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RC F’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the M2’s standard power windows.

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

The RC F’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 RC F (except Fuji Speedway Edition) 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 RC F offers an optional 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 RC F has a standard Dynamic Radar 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.