2025 BMW M2

This is the most affordable BMW M car. Not that it feels that way behind the steering wheel. Like all its other M variants, BMW has endowed this 2025 M2 subcompact coupe with plenty of muscle, a poised and responsive chassis, excellent brakes, and a generous helping of contemporary technology.

There might be some enthusiast drivers who are a little dewy-eyed about the original M3 from the 1980s, now a collector’s item. It was a small, 2-door car that felt not just great to drive but almost revolutionary. So much fun on public roads was a rarity. We’d say the current M2, which launched for the 2022 model year, is a successor to that car.

The rest of the BMW 2 Series lineup is reviewed separately.

A hike of 20 horsepower brings the M2’s output to a considerable 473 horses. A few minor changes have taken place inside and outside (including an array of new paint choices), while the infotainment system receives BMW’s latest update.

Even though the idea of a small, nimble, and powerful front-engined/rear-drive coupe sounds like an obvious recipe for driving fun, nothing else matches up to the M2 directly. The 401-horsepower Audi RS 3 has four doors and all-wheel drive and begins a little below the M2. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4Matic develops 382 hp but otherwise follows the RS 3’s formula and isn’t far off the M2’s price. As a 2-seater, 2-door coupe, the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette starts slightly higher than the M2. A Porsche 718 Cayman 2-seater coupe has a similar driver appeal, accompanied by a substantially higher price. Or the bargain of this crowd could be the Austrian-made Toyota GR Supra, whose most powerful variant starts in the mid-$50K bracket. If an M2 is too small, the BMW M4 begins a smidge over $80K.

Before buying a new M2 subcompact luxury sports coupe, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are about average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

We think the 2025 M2 is an awesome machine, with a wonderful 473 hp erupting under that little hood to enable a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. This year’s boost of 20 hp shaves a tenth from last year’s time. To lose a couple more, choose the automatic transmission. Even so, we reckon a lot of M2 buyers are willing to forgo that eye-blink duration in favor of the stick shift’s greater involvement. We should also mention that BMW tends to be conservative with its official output and acceleration figures. However things might pan out in the real world, the M2 is indisputably quick and powerful.

The Audi RS 3 has 500 horsepower and hits 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, but we love the precision and balance of this rear-drive M2. These two cars are different enough to have their own appeal. The M2 beats the base Porsche 718 Cayman coupe, which has 300 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The thing about any 2 Series is that it’s poised and agile as if it was made especially for canyon roads, with quick steering and confidence-inspiring brakes. That’s especially true of the M2, which is made all the more capable by an adaptive M suspension as standard.

Fuel Economy

The M2 manages 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving, regardless of transmission. To compare, the manual-transmission Porsche 718 Cayman manages 22 mpg combined, but with less power and two fewer cylinders.

Like the rest of the 2 Series, the 2025 M2 has an upscale cabin with quality materials and what we think is a well-considered layout. Space up front is fine. The seats are comfortable, bringing plenty of support for the sides and under the thighs. The lightweight M Carbon front seats are now available as an individual option as well as part of a Carbon Package. The steering wheel gains a flat bottom and offers the option of covering it with Alcantara (simulated suede).

The M2 has four seats. Unsurprisingly, rear legroom of 35 inches is on the tight side for adults of average size and above, while the coupe roof line impacts rear headroom. Trunk space of 13.8 cubic feet is decent, about the same as a Toyota Corolla sedan, for instance.

The M2 has its special spin on the classic coupe look (of a relatively long nose and short tail), which we find captivating. That squared-off treatment to the grille and front air intakes is like nothing else. The M2 is also eligible for a roof made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, shaving off weight and lowering the car’s center of gravity.

Minor changes this year see the standard quad tailpipes now finished in black, with the same treatment (plus a silver border) for the M2 badges on the grille and trunk lid. New paint choices for 2025 include Java Green Metallic, Grigio Telesto Pearl Effect Metallic, Twilight Purple Pearl Effect Metallic, and Voodoo Blue.

Infotainment system
The 2025 M2 gains the latest infotainment operating system, iDrive 8.5, which we’ve found easy to use. It allows voice control of more functions, such as cabin temperature and ventilation, or even the heated steering wheel (when fitted). Voice control has enabled BMW to reduce the number of physical controls. Augmented reality for the navigation system is optional.

BMW Curved Display
This standard feature includes a 12.3-inch configurable driver information display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen in one curved unit. We think it brings a high-tech feel to the cabin. A head-up display is on the options list.

Harman Kardon surround-sound system
Although the M2’s engine and exhaust make sweet music together, we like this standard audio setup immensely.

Engine
We hold most BMW engines in high esteem while keeping a special place in our collective heart for the company’s smooth 6-cylinder creations. It isn’t just the power they make or their relatively good fuel efficiency; it’s also how they respond to inputs from the accelerator pedal — lively and eager, exactly how we would describe the M2’s engine.

Manual transmission
Yes, we know, only rabid enthusiasts go for manual transmissions. However, the M2 is definitely an enthusiast’s car, and a stick shift provides another level of engagement. Plus, it has a rev-matching feature on the downshifts, blipping the throttle automatically, which we think is cool.

M Driver’s package
This package is an option with the M2 and is well worth considering, in our opinion. It’s a day’s tuition in high-performance driving on a track.

The engine in the 2025 M2 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder unit developing 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, a glorious amount of power for such a small car, and 20 more horses than last year. Torque stays the same. This energy goes solely to the rear wheels; there’s no option for all-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard — an 8-speed automatic transmission is offered as a no-cost option, bringing peak torque up to 443 lb-ft.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This guarantee is typical for European luxury car makers. Roadside assistance is included for that period, but with unlimited mileage. Scheduled maintenance is free for three years or 36,000 miles, which is less typical.

Safety

The M2 Coupe hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States. This generation of 2 Series Coupe earned four stars out of a possible five from the Euro NCAP program. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.