Compare the2025 BMW 2 SeriesVS 2025 Honda Civic Type R

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 2 Series are reminded to check the back seat. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The 2 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 2 Series offers optional Active Park Distance Control that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 2 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 2 Series offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Civic Type R only offers a rear monitor.

The 2 Series has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the 2 Series and the Civic Type R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The 2 Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Civic Type R’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The 2 Series’ corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Civic Type R’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Civic Type R (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

The battery on the 2 Series is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 2 Series’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Civic Type R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Civic Type R isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Honda With 16 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Honda.

The M240i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 67 more horsepower (382 vs. 315) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series gets better mileage than the Civic Type R:

			MPG
2 Series
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/35 hwy
		M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
		M240i 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
Civic Type R
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 2 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 2 Series has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (13.7 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 2 Series has a standard automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

For better stopping power the M240i Coupe xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Type R:

	M240i Coupe xDrive	Civic Type R
Front Rotors	14.7 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12 inches

The 2 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Civic Type R are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series stops shorter than the Civic Type R:

	2 Series	Civic Type R
100 to 0 MPH	304 feet	308 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	153 feet	Car and Driver

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Civic Type R’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 2 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.4% to 48.6%) than the Civic Type R’s (61.4% to 38.6%). This gives the 2 Series more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the 2 Series’ turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.9 feet). The 2 Series xDrive’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.9 feet).

The front grille of the 2 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series offers cargo security. The Civic Type R’s hatchback body style and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 2 Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Civic Type R uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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

The 2 Series offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the 2 Series, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 2 Series offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Civic Type R’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 2 Series to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 2 Series offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 2 Series also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the 2 Series 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 Civic Type R’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series’ 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 Civic Type R offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the BMW 2 Series and Honda Civic Type R offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 2 Series features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Civic Type R’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

On extremely cold winter days, the 2 Series’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the 2 Series and the Civic Type R offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda Civic Type R, the BMW 2 Series eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

The 2 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 2 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series first among small premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Civic Type R isn’t in the top three.