Compare the2024 Subaru BRZVS 2024 BMW 2 Series

The BRZ has standard Whiplash Protection Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Protection Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the BRZ and the 2 Series 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the BRZ its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series has not been tested, yet.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the BRZ 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 80 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the BRZ’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the BRZ’s reliability 15 points higher than the 2 Series.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the BRZ lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The 2 Series doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

The BRZ stops much shorter than the 2 Series:

The BRZ Limited handles at .99 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 BRZ’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the 2 Series’ (35.4 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The BRZ’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the 2 Series xDrive’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Subaru BRZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1000 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series.

The BRZ is 11.1 inches shorter than the 230i, making the BRZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The BRZ’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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the BRZ’s exterior PIN entry system. The 2 Series doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its BMW Assist can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

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

The BRZ was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 3 more times in the last 12 years. The M235i/M240i hasn’t been picked since 2017, and the M235i/M240i has only been chosen 3 times.