Compare the2023 BMW M2VS 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

The BMW M2 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 Golf R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the M2 and the Golf R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The M2’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the Golf R’s (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M2 for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Golf R (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

The battery on the M2 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the M2’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Golf R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen 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 BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 12 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 138 more horsepower (453 vs. 315) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 280) than the Golf R Manual’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 138 more horsepower (453 vs. 315) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 295) than the Golf R DSG’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the M2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Golf R doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

An eight-speed automatic is no cost option on the BMW M2, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Golf R.

The BMW M2 manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The Golf R doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

For better stopping power the M2’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Golf R:

For better traction, the M2 has larger tires than the Golf R (F:275/35R19 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/35R19).

The M2’s 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Golf R’s standard 35 series tires.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M2’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the Golf R (108.1 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M2 is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Golf R.

For better maneuverability, the M2’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M2 offers cargo security. The Golf R’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the M2. The Golf R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the M2 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Golf R. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 33% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

The M2 Auto 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 Golf R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the M2 the driver can close them all 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 Golf R can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 47% during the 2022 model year.