The BMW M2 was The Car Expert’s Best Performance Car 2024
Summary
The BMW M2 is a compact sports coupé and the entry-level model in the BMW ‘M’ division range, sitting below the larger M3 saloon and M4 coupé. This is the second-generation model, which became available to order in the UK in Spring 2023.
The latest iteration of the M2 has been well received by the British motoring media, praised for its impressive straight-six petrol engine and its agile handling, which result in a thrilling driving experience in a compact package.
“The new M2 is an absolute triumph”, says John McIlroy of Auto Express. “More than any of its predecessors, it fully assumes the original M3’s brief by offering supercar-baiting cross-country performance, along with astounding handling, agility and involvement.”
“It lacks the instant fun of the outgoing M2, though,” says Top Gear‘s Ollie Kew. A few reviewers agree, commenting that they miss the uncomplicated, uncompromising character of the previous M2. That said, “the M2 really is in a class of one”, says Kew, and “now asks very serious questions of the more expensive M4.”
As of January 2025, the BMW M2 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. Although it receives high praise from motoring journalists, its overall score is weighed down by inevitably high running costs, while its safety rating and CO2 emissions levels are only average. Being a new model, we also don’t have any reliability data on the M2 yet, which may increase or decrease its overall rating over time.
M2 highlights
- Serious fun to drive
- Quality interior with usable back seats
- Manual and automatic gearbox options
- Agile handling
M2 lowlights
- Heavier weight blunts power increase
- Rather firm ride
- Not as charming as its predecessor
- Expensive to buy and run
Key specifications
Body style: 2+2 coupé
Engines: petrol
Price: From £64,745 on-road
Launched: Spring 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With only the teeniest caveat about how its ride will hold up on UK roads, the new M2 is an absolute triumph. More than any of its predecessors, it fully assumes the original M3’s brief by offering supercar-baiting cross-country performance, along with astounding handling, agility and involvement, in a compact package.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“the new M2 feels like a more grown-up version of a reassuringly familiar formula, an evolution at a time of radical reinvention. I’ll take mine with the manual gearbox, please.”
Author: Ben Barry
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The BMW M2 is fast, lots of fun to drive and better value than other BMW M cars too.”
Author: Sam Naylor, John McIlroy
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW’s smallest M car is an absolute joy to drive, but it’s very expensive and rather heavy, too.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“It feels like a car in which the details have been sweated over: the steering’s response just off centre, the tip-in on the throttle, the torque and power delivery all feel painstakingly well calibrated.”
Author: James Taylor
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Heycar
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW M2 is a raucous high-performance muscle car.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The new M2 is said to build on its predecessor’s strengths to deliver an even greater driving experience, taking the formula of a classic high-performance sports car and adding the latest technology and more power.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re looking for a compact performance car with enthusiast appeal and impressive performance credentials, the new BMW M2 is an excellent choice. It’s quick, it handles superbly, and it feels engaging and exciting to drive.”
Author: Ben Barry
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Despite the electronic masters, there’s a beguiling sense of control in the new BMW M2 from its lovely steering weight to the superlative power and pace. And while you’d never use performance like this on a public road, it’s nice to know it’s there.”
Author: Andrew English
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The M2’s matured into a rounded, grown-up complete sports coupe, but some of the first car’s impish charm has been lost.”
Author: Ollie Kew
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: March 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 81%
Vulnerable road users: 67%
Safety assist: 64%
The BMW M2 shares its safety rating with the regular BMW 2 Series coupé range, which was tested by Euro NCAP in March 2022 and awarded a four-star rating.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of December 2024, the BMW M2 has not been tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the latest iteration of the BMW M2 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the M2, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 29 mpg | E | 29 – 29 mpg | E – E |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 221 g/km | D | 219 – 228 g/km | D – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 40 | C | 40 – 50 | C – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £553 | D |
Year 2 | £1,149 | D |
Year 3 | £1,820 | D |
Year 4 | £2,177 | D |
Year 5 | £2,887 | D |
Overall | £8,586 | D |
The BMW M2 is a very expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Insurance premiums are above the market average, and service and maintenance costs over a five-year term are predicted to be rather expensive, too.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW M2 has received.

2023
- The Car Expert Awards – Best Performance Car
- Auto Express Awards – Best Performance Car
- News UK Motoring Awards – Best Sports Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW M2, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alpine A110 | Audi TT RS | BMW M4 | Jaguar F-Type | Lotus Elise | Mercedes-AMG A 45 | Porsche 718 Cayman | Toyota GR Supra
More information
More news, reviews and information about the BMW M2 at The Car Expert
Buy a BMW M2
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