2021 BMW M2 Review

　　

2021 BMW M2 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　As most performance coupes have gotten bigger and more expensive, the 2021 BMW M2 Competition represents a bit of a throwback. It's got a just-right combo of a 405-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder engine, taut and lively handling and, an increasing rarity these days, a standard manual transmission. The M2 is based on the 2 Series coupe, so its styling isn't overly flashy. But those in the know will easily recognize the M2's wider fenders, big brakes and more aggressive-looking front end.

　　We're fans of the M2 Competition, and you can read our Expert Rating below to get our take on its performance, comfort and more. But if it's not quite to your liking, there are a few other options to check out. Audi's TT RS offers tenacious performance and all-wheel-drive traction, while the Ford Mustang boasts eye-popping performance and a decent list of available features. The Toyota GR Supra and Porsche 718 Cayman are also great, though they lack a rear seat.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the M2 drive? When something this size is packing 405 horsepower, you know it's going to be fast. With the six-speed manual, we saw 60 go by in 4.6 seconds. The quarter-mile was dispatched in a thrilling 12.7 seconds at 110.9 mph. The power from this engine is broad and muscular, making it easy to attack a good road with just a couple of gears.

　　Handling limits are high, but this is where the M2 gets tricky. It requires an advanced hand to get the most out of it since the chassis is eager to turn but can be twitchy over less than perfect roads. The brakes are a bit on the noisy side but provide consistently strong stopping power. In our testing, our M2 test car came to a stop from 60 mph in 108 feet. The M2 can also do the daily slog thanks to its easy clutch take-up and precise rev-matching feature. Only a wide turning radius earns a demerit.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the M2? If you weren't clued in to the M2's capabilities before you hit the road, the relentlessly firm ride will quickly make it apparent. While it's not punishing, it can get tiresome on a choppy freeway. It'll make you think twice about charging down a road with a less than perfect surface.

　　The seats are impressively comfortable and supportive. You can adjust the bolsters to fit many body types. Should you live in a cold climate, the seat heaters will quickly ward off the chills. The climate control is very effective, and any BMW owner will find it instantly familiar to use.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? We applaud the straightforward layout and general lack of complexity, but the M2 might come across to some buyers as a little dated. Nearly everyone should find it easy to get into the M2 thanks to its more standard sedan-like ride height (no low-slung sports car here). Visibility is also excellent. The M2 is one of last sport coupes you can park without relying on electronic aids.

　　It might take a bit of fiddling with the adjustments for the driver's seat and steering wheel to get comfortable, but once ensconced, you'll likely end up with an ideal driving position. And unless you're exceptionally tall, your rear passengers will have an acceptable amount of legroom even if headroom is a bit tight.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? This version of iDrive is easy to read and remains one of our favorites. It offers good phone integration provided you're using an Apple device. Android Auto isn't supported, though it's pretty easy to get up and running using a standard Bluetooth connection. The M2's system also has above-average voice controls that recognize natural speech pretty well. Some deep menus can take a while to learn, but most everyday functions are readily accessible.

　　The navigation system is fast-acting and accurate, but the audio system left us wanting a bit more punch. The M2's driver aids work pretty well, but adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert are not offered. Wireless charging is part of the optional Executive package.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? It should come as no surprise that the sedan-like M2 Competition makes a real case for itself in this category since many of the cars in this class are hatchbacks or have only two seats. There's a decent amount of interior storage space. And with a fairly generous 13.8-cubic-foot trunk, the M2 offers considerably more room than rival coupes.

　　Add to that the 60/40-split rear seats and you've got yourself quite the practical sport coupe. Slim child safety seats should fit without much issue, but getting them in or out could cause some frustration.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With speed as its main selling point, the M2 Competition could be expected to get less than stellar fuel economy. But the EPA rates it at a respectable 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving (with the manual transmission). We didn't have much of a problem meeting the combined rating in mixed driving and on our 115-mile evaluation route.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the M2 a good value? The cool part about the M2 is that you can order a base model (around $60,000) and not lose a thing. The power, braking and handling capabilities are all baked in from the start. Only the optional dual-clutch automatic transmission adds any real expense and performance benefit.

　　Build quality is what you'd expect from a BMW even if the M2 Competition is a bit simple on the inside. The materials quality is above par, as is the fit and finish. Warranties are average for the class but you can prepay for service appointments, which can include replacement of wear items such as tires and brake pads.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The BMW M2 Competition is not for the faint of heart or those light on skill. It's a fast and demanding car with high limits, but it somehow manages to fly under the radar due to its compact and blocky shape. It can do the daily slog with ease thanks to its powerful yet agreeable engine. On a good road — or better yet a racetrack — it can catapult you forward, and sideways, at heroic speeds.

　　To get the most out of this car will take some time and some familiarity. But when cracked, the M2 can deliver driving experiences that are nearly second to none.

　　

Which M2 does zzdcar recommend?

With no trim levels to choose from, your main choice is to decide between the standard six-speed manual or the optional dual-clutch automatic transmission. There's no wrong choice here. The manual is more fun, and the automatic transmission is better for commuting and maximum performance at the racetrack. Either way, we'd recommend the Executive package for the wireless charger and adaptive LED headlights.

　　

2021 BMW M2 models

The 2021 BMW M2 Competition is a high-performance rear-wheel-drive coupe. Most of the features you'd want come standard, and there are only a handful of options, such as a sunroof, different wheels and piano black interior trim, to choose from. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (405 horsepower, 406 lb-ft of torque) that's connected to a six-speed manual. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional. Highlights include:

　　M2 Competition

　　Packs in performance and quite a few standard features, such as:

　　19-inch wheels High-performance M Sport brakes Black exterior trim Leather upholstery Power-adjustable sport seats with heating Carbon-fiber interior trim 8.8-inch infotainment screen Navigation system Apple CarPlay compatibility 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Executive package

　　Adds some tech and other features, such as:

　　Heated steering wheel Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Wireless charging Wi-Fi hotspot Speed limit informationM Driver's package

　　For the serious enthusiast, it adds:

　　Increased maximum speed limit of the M2 A day at a high-performance driving school

　　

2021 M2 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$58,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles