Compare the2025 Subaru WRXVS 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru WRX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru WRX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The WRX has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the WRX. But it costs extra on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Both the WRX and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the WRX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. 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 Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 83 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the WRX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 8th.

The WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (271 vs. 241) than the 228 Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru WRX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The M235 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The WRX has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (16.6 vs. 12.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The WRX offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The WRX stops shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

For better traction, the WRX has larger tires than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (245/40R18 vs. 225/45R18). The WRX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (245/40R18 vs. 235/40R19).

The WRX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard 45 series tires. The WRX tS’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the M235’s optional 40 series tires.

The WRX tS handles at .96 G’s, while the M235 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the WRX tS’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The WRX’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the WRX a Mid-size car, while the 2 Series Gran Coupe is rated a Compact.

The WRX has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (98.9 vs. 91).

The WRX has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The WRX has a larger trunk than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (12.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The engine in the WRX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the WRX’s exterior PIN entry system. The 2 Series Gran Coupe 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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the WRX Limited/GT/tS has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru WRX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru WRX outsold the BMW 2 Series by 17% during 2024.