Compare the2023 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2023 Ford Mustang

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Mustang 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 use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Mustang doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mustang doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series M240i offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Mustang 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.

Both the 2 Series and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 Mustang’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 Mustang’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. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mustang.

Reliability

The battery on the 2 Series is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 2 Series’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Mustang’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

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 Ford 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, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 18th.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			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
Mustang Fastback
RWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	21 city/29 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	20 city/27 hwy
		GT 5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (310 HP)	22 city/32 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl. (330 HP)	20 city/27 hwy
		GT 5.0 V8	15 city/24 hwy
		Mach 1 5.0 V8	15 city/23 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 Mustang doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 2 Series has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Mustang. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The BMW 2 Series comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Mustang.

All wheel drive, available in the 2 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Ford Mustang is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

The 2 Series stops much shorter than the Mustang:

	2 Series	Mustang
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	165 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 Mustang’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 230i has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the Mustang’s (54.6% to 45.4%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

The M240i Coupe xDrive handles at .98 G’s, while the Mustang GT Premium Fastback pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 230i’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Mustang’s (36.4 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The M240i’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Mustang w/20” tires’ (38.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

Chassis

The 230i is 9.5 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the 2 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M240i Coupe xDrive is quieter than the Mustang Mach 1:

	2 Series	Mustang
At idle	39 dB	52 dB
Full-Throttle	86 dB	90 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

The 2 Series has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mustang Fastback (88 vs. 82.8).

The 2 Series Coupe has .5 inches more front headroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the Mustang Fastback.

Cargo Capacity

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

Servicing Ease

The 2 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Mustang uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Ford is ranked 22nd.

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 Mustang 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 Mustang 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.

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 Mustang can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 2 Series offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 2 Series offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The Mustang doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The 2 Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Mach 1.

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 Mustang’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 Mustang has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The 2 Series 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 Mustang doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The 2 Series has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Mustang.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Mustang doesn’t offer rear vents.

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 Mustang 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 Mustang doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.