Compare the2025 BMW M2VS 2024 Ford Mustang

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

Safety

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The M2 has standard Park Distance Control to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Mustang doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the M2 and the Mustang have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

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 Mustang’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The M2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Mustang’s (12 vs. 5 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. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mustang.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Ford.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 13 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The M2 has more powerful engines than the Mustang:

	Horsepower	Torque
M2 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
M2 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	443 lbs.-ft.
Mustang EcoBoost 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	315 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8	480 HP	415 lbs.-ft.
Mustang GT 5.0 DOHC V8	486 HP	418 lbs.-ft.
Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 DOHC V8	500 HP	418 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the M2 gets better mileage than the Mustang Fastback:

			MPG
M2
	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
Mustang Fastback
	Manual	GT 5.0 V8	14 city/23 hwy
		Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy
	Auto	Dark Horse 5.0 V8	14 city/22 hwy

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

Regardless of its engine, the M2’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Ford only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Mustang EcoBoost/GT (late availability).

The M2 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M2’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Mustang:

	M2	Mustang
Front Rotors	15 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	12.6 inches

The M2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Mustang EcoBoost are solid, not vented.

The M2 stops shorter than the Mustang:

	M2	Mustang
100 to 0 MPH	297 feet	312 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	153 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	101 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M2 has larger tires than the Mustang (F:275/35R19 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/55R17).

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 Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M2 has standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mustang EcoBoost. The Mustang’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M2’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Mustang (108.1 inches vs. 107 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M2 is 1.6 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Mustang.

The M2’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.1% to 47.9%) than the Mustang’s (55% to 45%). This gives the M2 more stable handling and braking.

The M2 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M2 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Mustang EcoBoost Premium Fastback (23.2 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

Chassis

The M2 is 9.1 inches shorter than the Mustang, making the M2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M2 a Compact car, while the Mustang Fastback is rated a Subcompact.

The M2 has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mustang Fastback (88 vs. 82.8).

The M2 has .5 inches more front headroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the Mustang Fastback.

Cargo Capacity

The M2 has a larger trunk than the Mustang Fastback (13.8 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

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

Ergonomics

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 Mustang doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the M2 the driver can close them all 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.

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 Mustang doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The M2’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Mustang Premium/Convertible/Dark Horse.

When the M2 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 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 Mustang offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The M2 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 M2 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 M2 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Mustang doesn’t offer rear vents.

The BMW M2 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Mustang GT Premium.

The M2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Mustang doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its April 2024 issue and the BMW M2 won out over the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

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