Compare the2023 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2023 Dodge Challenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW 2 Series has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 2 Series has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Challenger offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The 2 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Challenger doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Challenger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series’ lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Challenger doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 2 Series M240i offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Challenger only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The 2 Series has a standard blind spot warning system which 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the Challenger’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Challenger.

The 2 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Challenger doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 2 Series and the Challenger have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

Warranty

The 2 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Challenger’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 2 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Challenger’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Dodge doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Challenger.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 2 Series have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Challenger.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 2 Series has larger alternators than the Challenger:

	2 Series	Challenger
Standard Alternator	170 amps	160 amps
Optional Alternator	210 amps	180 amps

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Challenger isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the 230i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Dodge Challenger V6 (automatics tested):

	2 Series	Challenger
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	6.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.4 sec	16.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	95 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	131 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the Challenger:

			MPG
2 Series
RWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
		M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/34 hwy
		M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
Challenger
RWD	Manual	6.4 OHV V8	14 city/23 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	15 city/23 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/30 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	15 city/24 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	16 city/25 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/22 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		Widebody 6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
		6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 2 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 2 Series higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Dodge Challenger (1 to 3). This means the 2 Series produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Challenger every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the BMW 2 Series as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Dodge Challenger is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 2 Series’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Challenger:

	2 Series	Challenger
Front Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.6 inches

The 2 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Challenger SXT are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series stops much shorter than the Challenger:

	2 Series	Challenger
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

The 230i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Challenger SXT’s standard 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Challenger doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The M240i Coupe xDrive handles at .98 G’s, while the Challenger SXT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 230i’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Challenger SXT/GT/R/T’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The M240i’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Challenger Supercharged/Widebody’s (38.2 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

Chassis

The BMW 2 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 600 pounds less than the Dodge Challenger.

The 230i is 1 foot, 6.5 inches shorter than the Challenger, making the 2 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 2 Series amounts to more than styling. The 2 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the Challenger (.337 to .398). A more efficient exterior helps the 2 Series go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 2 Series get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 2 Series has standard flush composite headlights. The Challenger has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Challenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M240i Coupe xDrive is quieter than the Challenger SRT Hellcat:

	2 Series	Challenger
At idle	39 dB	59 dB
Full-Throttle	86 dB	87 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	76 dB

Cargo Capacity

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The Challenger’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Dodge. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 26% lower rating, Dodge is ranked 21st.

Ergonomics

The 2 Series offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning 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 Challenger doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Challenger’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The 2 Series’ front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Challenger’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the front windows are left open on the 2 Series w/Comfort Access the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Challenger can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 2 Series has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Challenger doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The 2 Series’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Challenger’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The 2 Series’ LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Challenger’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The 2 Series’ LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Challenger’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 2 Series offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Challenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the 2 Series is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Challenger’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Challenger has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Challenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 2 Series M240i’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Challenger doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the 2 Series owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 2 Series will cost $740 less than the Challenger over a five-year period.

Recommendations

The M235i/M240i was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 8 years. The Challenger has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 2 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2015. The Challenger has never been an “All Star.”