Compare the2024 BMW M2VS 2024 Aston Martin Vantage

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 Vantage doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The M2 has standard City Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Vantage doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The M2 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Vantage 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 M2’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Vantage doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M2’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Vantage doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The M2’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Vantage doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The M2 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Vantage doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the M2 and the Vantage 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, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and front and rear parking sensors.

The M2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Vantage’s 3-year basic warranty expires 1 year sooner.

The M2’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Vantage’s (12 vs. 10 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Aston Martin doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Vantage.

There are almost 10 times as many BMW dealers as there are Aston Martin dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M2’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW M2 is faster than the Aston Martin Vantage turbo V8 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the M2 gets better mileage than the Vantage:

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

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW M2 higher (5 out of 10) than the Aston Martin Vantage (3 to 5). This means the M2 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Vantage every 15,000 miles.

The M2 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Vantage doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M2’s 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 Vantage doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the M2 has larger front tires than the Vantage (275/35R19 vs. 255/40R20).

The M2’s 275/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Vantage’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M2’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Vantage (108.1 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

The M2 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the Vantage Coupe pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M2 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Vantage Coupe (23.2 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .83 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M2 is quieter than the Vantage Coupe:

The M2 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Vantage can only carry 2.

The M2 has 41 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Vantage (88 vs. 47).

The M2 has 2.3 inches more front headroom and 2.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Vantage.

The M2 has a much larger trunk than the Vantage Coupe (13.8 vs. 12.2 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M2 offers cargo security. The Vantage’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

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

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 Vantage doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The M2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Vantage doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The M2’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Vantage’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the M2 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Vantage doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the M2 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Vantage doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The M2’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The Vantage’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

The M2’s 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 Vantage has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the M2 Automatic offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Vantage doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M2 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Vantage doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.