Compare the2026 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2026 Subaru Impreza

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Impreza doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 Impreza 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 Gran Coupe has standard 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 Impreza doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Impreza doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

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

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Impreza’s blind spot costs extra.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and Impreza offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the 2 Series Gran Coupe with Cross Traffic Warning also has Brake Intervention (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Impreza’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Impreza’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Impreza.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

The 228 Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (241 vs. 152) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 145) than the Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 228 Gran Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 more horsepower (241 vs. 180) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The M235’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 132 more horsepower (312 vs. 180) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 178) than the Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 228 Gran Coupe is faster than the Subaru Impreza 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	2 Series Gran Coupe	Impreza
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	9.4 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	2.7 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	84 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the M235 is faster than the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	2 Series Gran Coupe	Impreza
Zero to 60 MPH	4.2 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.9 sec	20.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.9 sec	8.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.4 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.6 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	12.9 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	108 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	155 MPH	155 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the Impreza:

			MPG
2 Series Gran Coupe
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/39 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/38 hwy
Impreza
	AWD	2.0 DOHC flat-4	27 city/33 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Impreza doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Impreza doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Impreza:

	228 sDrive	M235	Impreza
Front Rotors	13 inches	15.2 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	13 inches	11.2 inches

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the Impreza:

	2 Series Gran Coupe	Impreza
70 to 0 MPH	154 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the M235’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Impreza (235/40R19 vs. 225/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M235 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Impreza’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard space-saver spare (not available on M235i) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Impreza; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Impreza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Impreza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The M235 handles at .94 G’s, while the Impreza RS pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front hip room and 3.1 inches more rear hip room than the Impreza.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 2 Series Gran offers cargo security. The Impreza’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The Impreza doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Impreza doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Impreza 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.

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

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Impreza doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

The power windows standard on both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the 2 Series Gran Coupe is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Impreza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 2 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Impreza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s 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 Impreza’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru charges extra for heated mirrors on the Impreza.

When the 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 Impreza’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Subaru Impreza offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 2 Series Gran Coupe 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 Impreza’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 Gran Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Impreza doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Impreza.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 2 Series Gran has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Impreza.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Impreza doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Impreza doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.