Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2021 BMW M2

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’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 Camaro (except LS/LT1)’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 Camaro 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 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 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

The Camaro LT1/SS’ standard 6.2 V8 produces 50 more horsepower (455 vs. 405) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (455 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Camaro ZL1’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 245 more horsepower (650 vs. 405) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 406) than the M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the BMW M2 (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Camaro is faster than the BMW M2 (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the M2 Competition (automatics tested):

In a Road and Track race course test, the Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe was clocked 2.3 seconds faster than the BMW M2 Competition (86.6 sec. vs. 88.9 sec.).

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The M2 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The M2 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the M2 (19 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro 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.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the M2.

The Camaro stops much shorter than the M2:

For better traction, the Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the M2 (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:265/35R19).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’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 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The M2’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The M2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M2 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Camaro offers an optional 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 Camaro’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the M2 (110.7 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 1 inch wider in the front than the track on the M2.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the M2 pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Camaro SS Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the M2 (22.9 seconds @ .91 average G’s vs. 24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Camaro may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the BMW M2.

The Camaro Coupe has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M2 (93 vs. 89.7).

The Camaro Coupe has 2.4 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more front shoulder room than the M2.

The Camaro Auto 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 Camaro (except LS/LT1)’s optional easy entry system 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 Camaro’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 Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal 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 M2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Camaro’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 Camaro has standard extendable sun visors. The M2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Camaro’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 Camaro (except LS/LT1) 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The M2 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the BMW M2 isn’t available as a convertible.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The M2 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the BMW 2 Series by 30% during the 2021 model year.