Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2019 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The IS Series’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS Series are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the IS Series and the 3 Series Gran Turismo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the IS Series the rating of “Top Pick” for 2018, a rating granted to only 85 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 3 Series Gran Turismo has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS Series 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 3 Series Gran Turismo. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Gran Turismo ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS Series’ reliability 15 points higher than the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 11th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 8th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in reliability. BMW is ranked fifth.

The IS Series has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Gran Turismo (17.4 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the IS Series’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Gran Turismo:

The IS Series stops much shorter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo:

The IS Series’ optional 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 340i Gran Turismo’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

The IS Series AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the 330i Gran Turismo pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 330i Gran Turismo (26 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 6.2 feet tighter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo’s (34.2 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 5 feet tighter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo’s (35.4 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Lexus IS Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The IS Series is 5.7 inches shorter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Lexus IS Series amounts to more than styling. The IS Series has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the 3 Series Gran Turismo (.29 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the IS Series get better fuel mileage.

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The IS Series has 2.8 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS Series offers cargo security. The 3 Series Gran Turismo’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

The IS Series 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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 3 Series Gran Turismo, the IS Series offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The IS Series’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the IS Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The IS Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS Series is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Gran Turismo because it costs $189 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS Series than the 3 Series Gran Turismo, including $204 less for a water pump, $443 less for a muffler, $91 less for front brake pads and $237 less for front struts.