Compare the2025 BMW M2VS 2025 Lotus Emira

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW M2 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 Emira doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The M2 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Emira 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.

The M2’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Emira.

The M2 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 Emira’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M2 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Lotus charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Emira.

Both the M2 and the Emira have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and rear parking sensors.

The BMW M2 weighs 507 to 638 pounds more than the Lotus Emira. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The M2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Emira’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The M2 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. BMW will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Emira.

The M2’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the Emira’s (12 vs. 8 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Lotus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Emira.

There are over 9 times as many BMW dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M2’s warranty.

Engine

The M2’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (473 vs. 400) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 310) than the Emira’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The M2’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (473 vs. 400) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The M2’s optional 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (473 vs. 400) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 354) than the Emira’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the M2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Emira doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the M2’s 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 Emira doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW M2 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Emira.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M2’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Emira:

	M2	Emira
Front Rotors	15 inches	14.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M2 has larger front tires than the Emira (275/35R19 vs. 245/35R20).

Suspension and Handling

The M2 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 Emira’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The M2 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 Emira doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M2’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Emira (108.1 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

The M2’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.1% to 47.9%) than the Emira’s (39.8% to 60.2%). This gives the M2 more stable handling and braking.

The M2 handles at 1.04 G’s, while the Emira pulls only 1.00 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M2 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Emira (23.2 seconds @ .89 average G’s vs. 24 seconds @ .84 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The M2 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the Emira can only carry 2.

The M2 has 39 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Emira (88 vs. 49).

The M2 has .3 inches more front headroom and 3.7 inches more front shoulder room than the Emira.

Cargo Capacity

The M2 has a much larger trunk than the Emira (13.8 vs. 5.3 cubic feet).

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M2 offers cargo security. The Emira’s hatchback body style 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 M2. The Emira doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the M2 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Emira. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The M2 Auto 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 Emira doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The M2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and tachometer readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Emira doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the M2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Emira can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The M2’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from either outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Emira only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The M2’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 Emira’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the M2 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Emira doesn’t offer cornering lights.

On extremely cold winter days, the M2’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Emira doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The M2’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Emira doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The BMW M2 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lotus charges extra for Homelink® on the Emira.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M2 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Emira doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The M2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Emira doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2024 issue and they ranked the BMW M2 first. They ranked the Lotus Emira third.

The BMW 2 Series outsold the Lotus Emira by over 8 to one during 2024.

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