Compare the2022 BMW 530eVS 2021 Lexus ES Series

The 530e’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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 530e helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The ES Series doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 530e 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 530e 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 530e 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 BMW 530e weighs 534 to 726 pounds more than the Lexus ES Series. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The 530e’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 530e 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 530e’s warranty.

The 530e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (288 vs. 203) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 184) than the ES 250 AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 530e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (288 vs. 215) than the ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The 530e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 267) than the ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 530e running on electricity gets better mileage than the ES Series:

The 530e’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 19 to 21 miles, about 13 times as far as the ES 300h’s 1.6-mile range.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 530e higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus ES Series (5 to 7). This means the 530e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES Series every 15,000 miles.

The 530e’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.

For better stopping power the 530e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES Series:

The 530e’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.

The 530e stops much shorter than the ES Series:

For better traction, the 530e has larger tires than the ES Series (245/45R18 vs. 215/55R17). The 530e’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES Series (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18).

The 530e’s 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 530e 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 standard on the 530e 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 530e has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES Series’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 530e’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the ES Series (117.1 inches vs. 113 inches).

The 530e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.5% to 50.5%) than the ES Series’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the 530e more stable handling and braking.

The 530e handles at .85 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 530e executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (26.6 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The front grille of the 530e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ES Series doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 530e has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES Series.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 530e easier. The 530e’s trunk lift-over height is 26.2 inches, while the ES Series’ liftover is 27.4 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 530e’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The ES Series’ useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The 530e’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 530e 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the ES Series, the 530e offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 530e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the ES Series.

The 530e’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.

Both the 530e and the ES Series offer optional heated front seats. The 530e also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES Series.

The 530e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the ES Series.