2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had featured bold styling elements like large round headlights and boxy fender flares. This iteration, while not immediately recognizable as a Subaru, was still considered a handsome design. Both the sedan and hatchback versions boasted sleek headlights and taillights that enhanced their width, along with a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides featured subtle scalloping for visual interest, and the previously awkward wheel arch sheet metal was toned down. The Impreza Sport models received specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent, the Impreza benefited from a well-engineered foundation that contributed to its overall refinement.

The interior of the Impreza was typical of compact cars, with a design that wasn't particularly exciting. The infotainment touchscreen was housed in a way that split the dashboard, and the interior predominantly featured various forms of plastic. The Impreza Sport added model-specific touches such as contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals. The top-tier Impreza Limited offered standard leather upholstery and LED headlights. Despite its simplicity, the interior was functional and aligned with the vehicle's overall design ethos.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series introduced a new exterior design that avoided the aggressive front fascia seen in other BMW models. The 2 Series was available as a rear-wheel-drive 230i Coupe and an all-wheel-drive M240i xDrive Coupe, with both trims previously offered in either configuration. The four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe remained, with options for front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. The 2 Series Convertible was discontinued for 2022, and the next-generation M2 Competition was anticipated for a later release. The 2 Series Coupe variants featured an extended wheelbase, making them longer, wider, and lower than their predecessors. The 230i Coupe was 4.3 inches longer, 2.6 inches wider, and 1 inch lower, while the M240i xDrive Coupe had similar expansions. The design included a wider kidney grille, upright triangular front air curtains, flared fenders, and reshaped lights, giving the coupe an agile appearance. The M240i xDrive Coupe had performance-oriented styling with shadowy M-type features and the M Shadowline package as standard. The 230i could be optioned with similar styling elements. Standard 18-inch light-alloy wheels were paired with all-season run-flat tires, with optional wheel designs up to 19 inches. The M240i xDrive Coupe came with 19-inch M light alloys and performance tire options. The interior was driver-oriented, with standard perforated SensaTec upholstery and optional Vernasca leather. The updated interior featured an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 10.25-inch display. The 2 Series offered a high-end vibe with mixed material finishes, though some areas had cost-cutting plastics.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine design allowed for a lower mounting in the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity. Most Impreza models were equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base sedan and hatchback, as well as the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also featured specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring system for the all-wheel-drive setup. The Impreza was considered an agreeable daily driver, offering a solid and refined ride, though it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport's suspension tuning provided a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was modest, preventing it from being a true driver's car.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe, despite its subcompact size, delivered impressive performance. The 230i Coupe was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the M240i xDrive featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The 230i Coupe could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, while the M240i xDrive achieved the same in 4.1 seconds. Both models had a top speed of either 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on specifications. The 2 Series came with an eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, calibrated for smooth shifts and quicker responses with paddle shifters. The M240i xDrive Coupe included performance features like an aerodynamic kit, rear spoiler, variable Sport steering, adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes, and an M Sport rear differential. The xDrive AWD system provided stability, especially in corners. The 230i Coupe, though less powerful, still offered a planted feel. However, the smaller turbo-four engine's sound was muted compared to the inline-six. The 2 Series was quick and controlled, but the driving experience was somewhat disconnected, with numb steering feel and a lack of engagement.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both the hatchback and sedan, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan had a trunk capacity of 12.3 cubic feet, the smallest among compact sedans, but featured a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat for longer items. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, more than the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchbacks, but less than the 2021 Honda Civic hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the Civic. All hatch trims except the base model included standard roof rails. Higher trim levels, like the Impreza Premium, came with an All-Weather Package, including heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited featured a standard six-way power driver's seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available as an option on most trims.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series was compact, technically seating four, but the rear seats were best suited for children or those of smaller stature. The front seats offered relative spaciousness, but the slanted roofline and rear window design limited rear headroom. The trunk lid was shorter, potentially complicating the loading of bulky items. However, the 2 Series featured standard 40/20/40-split fold-down rear seats, allowing for flexible cargo capacity. With the second row up, the coupe offered 10 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The interior included soft touch points, such as cushioned knee pads in the M240i xDrive Coupe, and improved ergonomics with updated multifunction buttons on the standard leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. The lower console area featured a layout similar to other new BMW models.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base and Premium trims, featuring Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen, with an option package for the Limited trim adding TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display housed in a hood over the main touchscreen showed information like estimated range, though it seemed redundant given the small LCD display in the gauge cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large touchscreen icons and easy access to important functions, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series boasted an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch driver information display as standard, with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus system offering over-the-air updates, iDrive 7 operating system, cloud-based navigation, real-time traffic updates, and connected services. Additional connectivity features included a WiFi 4G LTE hotspot, two USB ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. New for 2022 was a head-up display compatible with smartphone apps. The optional Live Cockpit Professional upgraded the infotainment to a 10.25-inch touchscreen and the instrument panel to a 12.3-inch fully digital display. The 2 Series also offered remote features like the BMW Digital Key, allowing for keyless entry via the My BMW App. The standard audio system included a 10-speaker, 205-watt Hi-Fi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon 14-speaker system providing 464 watts of surround sound.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award, with the highest “Good” score in all crash tests. However, it missed the “Top Safety Pick+” award due to “Marginal” standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights received a “Good” score. The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in all crash tests. Subaru's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. A rear-seat reminder was standard, with options for blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series came with Active Driving Assistant, including active blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and speed limit information. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, park distance control, and adaptive cruise control. Both the 230i and M240i xDrive Coupe could be optioned with adaptive front LED headlights, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and a 360-degree surround view. The BMW Drive Recorder, utilizing onboard ADAS cameras, could record up to 40 seconds of driving footage. The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.