Compare the2022 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2021 Lexus ES Series

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ES Series doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system which 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 ES Series’ blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the ES Series.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the ES Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES Series (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has more powerful engines than the ES Series:

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the ES Series:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the ES Series Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the ES Series Hybrid.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ES Series doesn’t offer launch control.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES Series are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the ES Series (F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 215/55R17). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES Series (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES Series’ standard 55 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES Series 350 F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES Series.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The ES Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES Series’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.8% to 50.2%) than the ES Series’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is 7.4 inches shorter than the ES Series, making the 4 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. The ES Series’ useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES Series doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES Series. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 ES Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Lexus ES Series isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.