Compare the2024 Nissan ZVS 2023 BMW 2 Series

Both the Z and the 2 Series 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Z 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Z’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

The Z’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (400 vs. 255) and 56 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 294) than the 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Z’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 18 more horsepower (400 vs. 382) than the M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder. The Z NISMO’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 38 more horsepower (420 vs. 382) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (384 vs. 369) than the M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Z 3.0 is faster than the 230i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

The Z has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series (16.4 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Z higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series (3 to 5). This means the Z produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series every 15,000 miles.

The Z offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A nine-speed automatic is available on the Nissan Z, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 2 Series.

For better stopping power the Z NISMO’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 2 Series:

The Z stops shorter than the 2 Series:

For better traction, the Z has larger standard tires than the 2 Series (245/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The Z NISMO’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series (F:255/40R19 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:255/35R19).

The Z 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 2 Series doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Z Performance handles at .93 G’s, while the 230i Coupe pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Z’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 230i’s (32.8 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The Z’s turning circle is 5.4 feet tighter than the M240i’s (32.8 feet vs. 38.2 feet).

The Z is 6.6 inches shorter than the 230i, making the Z easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Z Performance/NISMO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 2 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Z has .1 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more front legroom than the 2 Series.

The Z Manual can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Z can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 2 Series can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Z’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 2 Series’ standard power windows.

Consumer Reports rated the Z’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the 2 Series’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Z has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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