Compare the2022 Subaru WRXVS 2022 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru WRX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru WRX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the WRX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The WRX has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the WRX. But it costs extra on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Both the WRX and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 81 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 4 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 43 more horsepower (271 vs. 228) than the 228i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the WRX lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The WRX has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The WRX offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the WRX has larger standard tires than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (235/45R17 vs. 225/45R17). The WRX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (245/40R18 vs. 235/35R19).

The WRX 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 2 Series Gran Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the WRX’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The WRX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The WRX has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The engine in the WRX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX Premium/Limited/GT’s exterior PIN entry system. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Subaru WRX outsold the BMW 2 Series by 55% during the 2021 model year.