Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2022 BMW 7 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS 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 7 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS 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 7 Series doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the LS and the 7 Series 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 7 Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 7 Series ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The battery on the LS is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the LS’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The 7 Series’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 LS gets better mileage than the 7 Series running its gasoline engine:

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 9.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 7 Series 745e’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 12.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 7 Series’ standard fuel tank (22.2 vs. 20.6 gallons).

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

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 7 Series.

The LS 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 7 Series doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the 7 Series:

The LS stops much shorter than the 7 Series:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 7 Series.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 7 Series.

The LS 500 F Sport handles at .88 G’s, while the 745e xDrive pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The LS 500 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 745e xDrive (25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.1 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the 740i’s (36.8 feet vs. 42 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the 7 Series xDrive’s (39.4 feet vs. 42.4 feet).

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 7 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the LS 500 AWD is quieter than the 750i xDrive (65 vs. 66 dB).

The LS has a much larger trunk than the 7 Series (17 vs. 14 cubic feet).

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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 7 Series doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The LS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 7 Series doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the LS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the LS will cost $950 to $7420 less than the 7 Series over a five-year period.

The LS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the LS will retain 40.94% to 41.36% of its original price after five years, while the 7 Series only retains 33.92% to 40.78%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus LS will be $12803 to $76109 less than for the BMW 7 Series.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its March 2018 issue and they ranked the Lexus LS 500 AWD higher than the BMW 745e xDrive.