Compare the2023 Toyota CorollaVS 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Corolla are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Corolla has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series Gran Coupe last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Corolla 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla’s reliability 31 points higher than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. BMW is ranked third.

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

The Corolla has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (106.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Corolla’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (35.6 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Toyota Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Corolla is quieter than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe (77 vs. 83 dB).

The Corolla has .6 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Corolla’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Corolla has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series Gran isn’t available as a four door hatchback or wagon.

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the BMW 2 Series by over 24 to one during 2022.