2020 Jaguar F-Type vs. 2020 BMW 2 Series

The F-Type’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the F-Type’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the F-Type and the 2 Series 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available front parking sensors.

The F-Type comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 2 Series’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 10,000 miles sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the F-Type for 2 years and 24,000 miles longer than BMW pays for maintenance for the 2 Series (5/60,000 vs. 3/36,000).

The F-Type has more powerful engines than the 2 Series:

As tested in Car and Driver the F-Type R is faster than the M240i (automatics tested):

The F-Type 2.0-liter’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series (16.6 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The F-Type V6/V8’s standard fuel tank has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series (18.5 vs. 13.7 gallons).

For better stopping power the F-Type’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 2 Series:

The F-Type offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The 2 Series doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The F-Type stops much shorter than the 2 Series:

For better traction, the F-Type has larger standard tires than the 2 Series (F:245/45R18 & R:275/40R18 vs. 205/50R17). The F-Type SVR’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series (F:265/35R20 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:225/40R18 & R:245/35R18).

The F-Type’s standard 245/45R18 front and 275/40R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 230i’s standard 50 series tires. The F-Type’s optional 255/35R20 front and 295/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the 2 Series’ optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the F-Type has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 230i. The F-Type’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the 2 Series.

The F-Type offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 2 Series; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The F-Type has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the F-Type flat and controlled during cornering. The 2 Series’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The F-Type’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 2 Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the F-Type is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 2 Series.

The F-Type R Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the 230i Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Road and Track skidpad test.

The F-Type SVR Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the 230i Coupe (24 seconds @ .87 average G’s vs. 25.6 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the F-Type’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the 2 Series’ (35 feet vs. 35.8 feet). The F-Type AWD’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the 2 Series xDrive’s (37 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The F-Type Coupe has 1.5 inches more front legroom and 2.1 inches more front shoulder room than the 2 Series Coupe.

The F-Type Coupe has a larger trunk than the 2 Series Coupe (14.4 vs. 13.8 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the F-Type Coupe offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The 2 Series doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The F-Type Auto has a standard 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 2 Series doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 2 Series, the F-Type has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The F-Type’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 2 Series doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The F-Type’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 2 Series has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the F-Type keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 2 Series doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.