Compare the2023 Lexus LCVS 2023 BMW M8

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LC 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 M8 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The LC 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the M8’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LC has a standard rear 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. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the M8.

Both the LC and the M8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, 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 rear parking sensors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LC 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the M8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the LC Coupe gets better mileage than the M8:

On the EPA test cycle the LC 500 Convertible gets better fuel mileage than the M8 Competition (15 city/25 hwy vs. 15 city/22 hwy).

The LC can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The M8 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LC’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the M8 (21.7 vs. 20.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LC Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the M8 (22.2 vs. 20.1 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LC higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW M8 (3). This means the LC produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M8 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the M8.

The LC 500h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The M8 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LC offers optional 21-inch wheels. The M8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LC’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the M8 Coupe/Convertible (113 inches vs. 111.3 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LC Active Rear Steering’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the M8 Competition Coupe’s (34.8 feet vs. 39 feet). The LC’s turning circle is 7 feet tighter than the M8 Gran Coupe’s (35.4 feet vs. 42.4 feet).

The LC is 4.4 inches shorter than the M8 Coupe/Convertible, making the LC easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The LC is 1 foot, 1.5 inches shorter than the M8 Gran Coupe.

The LC Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The M8 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The LC has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M8 Coupe (85.9 vs. 81).

The LC has 3 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the M8 Coupe.

The LC Convertible has .5 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the M8 Convertible.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The LC has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The M8 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Insurance will cost less for the LC owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the LC will cost $1700 to $3570 less than the M8 over a five-year period.

The LC will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the LC will retain 46.02% to 48.14% of its original price after five years, while the M8 only retains 44.99% to 45.77%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus LC will be $33780 to $34382 less than for the BMW M8.

The LC was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2018. The M8 has never been an “All Star.”