Compare the2022 Subaru WRXVS 2021 BMW M2

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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 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 M2 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The WRX Limited SPT/GT has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The M2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The WRX Limited/GT’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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. 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 WRX Limited/GT’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 WRX and the M2 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 and lane departure warning systems.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 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 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.

The M2’s redline is at 7600 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The WRX has a 6000 RPM redline.

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 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 M2 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru WRX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The M2 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The WRX has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (16.6 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 M2 doesn’t offer a CVT.

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 M2’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the WRX’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the M2’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The WRX’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the M2’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Subaru WRX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the BMW M2.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the M2 is rated a Compact.

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

The WRX has 9.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M2 (98.9 vs. 89.7).

The WRX has 1.6 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the M2.

The WRX 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 WRX’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the M2’s standard power windows.

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

The WRX Premium/Limited/GT 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 WRX 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.

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