Compare the2024 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2023 Subaru BRZ

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
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 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 BRZ doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 BRZ 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.

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

The 2 Series offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The BRZ 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 that 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. Only the BRZ Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 2 Series has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the BRZ Limited offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the 2 Series and the BRZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The BMW 2 Series weighs 565 to 1056 pounds more than the Subaru BRZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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 BRZ’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 BRZ’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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the BRZ.

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 BRZ’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series third among small premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The BRZ isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Subaru 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, Subaru is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 7th.

Engine

The 230i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (255 vs. 228) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (382 vs. 228) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 184) than the BRZ’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

In a Car and Driver race course test, the BMW M240i Coupe xDrive was clocked 9.4 seconds faster than the Subaru BRZ Limited (183 sec. vs. 192.4 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			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.	25 city/33 hwy
		M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
BRZ
RWD	Manual	2.4 DOHC flat-4	20 city/27 hwy
	Auto	2.4 DOHC flat-4	21 city/30 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 BRZ doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 BRZ.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 2 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the BRZ.

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 Subaru BRZ is not available with all wheel drive.

The 2 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The BRZ doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	230i Coupe	M240i Coupe xDrive	BRZ
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.7 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.4 inches

The 2 Series stops much shorter than the BRZ:

	2 Series	BRZ
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	163 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 2 Series has larger standard tires than the BRZ (225/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The M240i Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the BRZ (F:245/35R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 215/45R17).

The M240i Coupe’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the BRZ Limited’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 230i has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the BRZ Premium. The M240i’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the BRZ Limited.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 2 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 2 Series offers an available 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 BRZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 2 Series has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The BRZ doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 2 Series’ wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the BRZ (107.9 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 2 Series is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the BRZ.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.4% to 48.6%) than the BRZ’s (55.5% to 44.5%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

The M240i Coupe xDrive handles at .98 G’s, while the BRZ Premium pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

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 BRZ doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M240i Coupe xDrive is quieter than the BRZ Limited:

	2 Series	BRZ
At idle	39 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	86 dB	89 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	76 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 2 Series a Compact car, while the BRZ is rated a Minicompact.

The 2 Series has 10.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the BRZ (88 vs. 77.2).

The 2 Series has 2.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the BRZ.

Cargo Capacity

The 2 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the BRZ (13.8 vs. 6.3 cubic feet).

The 2 Series’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The BRZ’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The BRZ’s 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 2 Series. The BRZ doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The 2 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The BRZ 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 Subaru. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Subaru is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the 2 Series, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The BRZ doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 BRZ 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 BRZ 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 BRZ can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 BRZ’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The 2 Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the BRZ Limited.

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 BRZ’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 BRZ offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The BRZ doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series’ standard GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The BRZ’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

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 BRZ doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series second among small premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The BRZ isn’t in the top three.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Subaru BRZ by over three to one during 2022.

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