Compare the2022 Ford Shelby GT500VS 2021 BMW M2

The Shelby GT500’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 Shelby GT500’s optional 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 Shelby GT500 and the M2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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 and rearview cameras.

The Ford Shelby GT500 weighs 426 to 583 pounds more than the BMW M2. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Shelby GT500 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 9 times as many Ford dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Shelby GT500’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 14th in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.2 supercharged V8 produces 355 more horsepower (760 vs. 405) and 219 lbs.-ft. more torque (625 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Shelby GT500 is faster than the BMW M2 (automatics tested):

The Shelby GT500 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (16 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Shelby GT500 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The M2 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ford Shelby GT500 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the M2.

For better stopping power the Shelby GT500’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M2:

The Shelby GT500 stops much shorter than the M2:

For better traction, the Shelby GT500 has larger tires than the M2 (F:305/30R20 & R:315/30R20 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:265/35R19).

The Shelby GT500’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M2’s standard 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Shelby GT500 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the M2.

The Shelby GT500 has a standard 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 Shelby GT500’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the M2 (107.1 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Shelby GT500 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the M2.

The Shelby GT500 handles at 1.13 G’s, while the M2 pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Shelby GT500 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the M2 (23.5 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s).

The Shelby GT500 has 3.6 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the M2.

The Shelby GT500 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.

The Shelby GT500’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.

The Shelby GT500’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The M2 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Shelby GT500 has standard extendable sun visors. The M2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Shelby GT500’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The M2’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Shelby GT500 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 Shelby GT500 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Shelby GT500 will retain 63.08% of its original price after five years, while the M2 only retains 51.11%.