DecodedCars2021 BMW M
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 BMW M is a compact car offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 6.6L 12-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 32 highway), 5% worse than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2021
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 M →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M235i xDrive Gran Coupe | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | -5% | $3,150 | 335 |
| M340i Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | -5% | $3,150 | 333 |
| M340i xDrive Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -9% | $3,300 | 346 |
| M440i xDrive Coupe Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | +7% | $3,300 | 346 |
| M240i Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 366 |
| M240i xDrive Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 366 |
| M240i Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 366 |
| M240i xDrive Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | +3% | $3,400 | 366 |
| M240i Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 21 | -10% | $3,900 | 410 |
| M240i Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 21 | -10% | $3,900 | 410 |
| M2 Competition Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -15% | $4,100 | 440 |
| M550i xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -27% | $4,100 | 439 |
| M2 Competition Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -19% | $4,350 | 472 |
| M850i xDrive Convertible | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -19% | $4,350 | 453 |
| M850i xDrive Gran Coupe | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -31% | $4,350 | 453 |
| M4 Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -19% | $4,350 | 472 |
| M4 Competition Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -19% | $4,350 | 470 |
| M3 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -31% | $4,350 | 472 |
| M3 Competition | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -31% | $4,350 | 470 |
| M8 Competition Convertible | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -27% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M5 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -38% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M5 Competition | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -38% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M8 Gran Coupe | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -38% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M8 Competition Gran Coupe | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -38% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M8 Convertible | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -27% | $4,850 | 520 |
| M760i xDrive | 6.6L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 16 | -34% | $5,150 | 570 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 BMW M.
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW M.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2021 BMW M is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2021 BMW M in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2021 BMW M buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 BMW M. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other M years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →