2026 BMW M2

Based on the regular BMW 2 Series Coupe, the M2 comes with a set of talents designed to inspire and engage the enthusiast driver. It has a fantastic combination of power, agility, technology, and relative lightness. On top of that, it’s the most affordable BMW M car. Giving this luxury subcompact coupe the high-performance M treatment allows BMW to indulge in the more purist traits such as rear-wheel drive and the availability of a manual transmission. It’s probably not most people’s idea of a suitable commuter car, but for track-day blasts and weekend jaunts, the M2 can be truly exciting.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of high horsepower coupes, including the BMW M2.

The big story this year is the 523-horsepower 2026 BMW M2 CS — the most powerful M car on the market with rear-wheel drive, and available in a limited run. The regular 2026 M2 gains new designs for its alloy wheels and a new digital key (using a phone app) as standard.

Even though the idea of a small, nimble and powerful front-engined/rear-drive coupe sounds like a surefire recipe for driving thrills, there isn’t anything else that matches up to the M2 directly. The 401-hp Audi RS 3 has four doors and all-wheel drive, and begins a little below the M2. AMG versions of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA look like being hybrids. As a 2-seater/2-door coupe, the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette starts out a little higher than the M2. Or the bargain of this crowd could be the Austrian-made Toyota GR Supra, starting below $60K. If an M2 is just 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 2026 M2 is an awesome machine, with a wonderful 473 hp erupting under that little hood to enable a standstill-to-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. To lose a couple more tenths, 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 401 hp 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 thing about any 2 Series is that it’s poised and nimble, as if it was made especially for canyon roads, with quick steering and confidence-inspiring brakes. That’s especially true of the M2, made all the more capable by an adaptive M suspension as standard.

The car feels agile, grippy and incredibly capable. Putting the power down early at a corner’s exit is exhilarating, because of the responsive engine in tandem with the M Sport rear differential with continuously variable electronic locking. The front tires stick to the intended line and the tail follows them so sweetly.

This year marks the debut of the limited-edition 2026 M2 CS, developing 523 hp and lighter by 97 pounds. It comes solely with an automatic transmission — not that we consider this a bad thing, especially since the M2 CS is the most powerful rear-wheel-drive M car. Compared with the regular M2, the CS also has its own suspension setup and various aerodynamic differences. BMW claims a rapid zero-to-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds.

The rest of the 2026 BMW 2 Series lineup is reviewed separately.

Fuel Economy

The regular 2026 M2 manages 19 mpg in combined city/highway driving, regardless of transmission. For some vague context, the Audi RS 3 achieves 23 mpg.

Like the rest of the 2 Series, the 2026 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 available as an individual option as well as part of a Carbon Package. The steering wheel comes with a flat bottom (easier to slide the knees under), and offers the option of Alcantara (simulated suede) covering.

There are four seats in the M2. Unsurprisingly, rear legroom of 35 inches is tight for adults of average size and above, while the coupe roof line has an impact on rear headroom. Trunk space of 13.8 cubic feet is decent, a fraction larger than a Toyota Corolla compact sedan’s.

The M2 has its own special spin on the classic coupe look (of a relatively long nose and short tail), which we find captivating. That kind of 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 (CFRP), shaving off weight and lowering the car’s center of gravity. We like the standard quad tailpipes finished in black, with the same treatment (plus a silver border) for the M2 badges on the grille and trunk lid. This year adds new wheel designs with staggered widths (wider rubber at the back).

The M2 CS adds a CFRP rear diffuser, as well as the CFRP roof as standard, plus a CFRP trunk lid with an integrated ducktail spoiler. No-cost metallic paint finishes for the M2 CS are Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Grey, or Portimao Blue. Individual Velvet Blue Metallic is a $3,000 option.

Infotainment system
We’ve found the infotainment system in the M2 easy to use, allowing voice control of several functions such as cabin temperature and ventilation, and even the heated steering wheel (when fitted). This 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 — all in one curved unit. We think it brings a great 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 system make their own sweet music together, we like this standard audio setup a lot.

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

The engine in the regular 2026 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. This energy goes solely to the rear wheels — there’s no option for all-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while an 8-speed automatic transmission is offered as a no-cost option, bringing peak torque up to 443 lb-ft.

The 2026 M2 CS has essentially the same engine, automatic transmission and rear-drive configuration, with output boosted to an epic 523 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This 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.