Compare the2023 Lexus RCVS 2023 BMW 4 Series Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The BMW 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Both the RC and the 4 Series Coupe 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4 Series Coupe has not been tested, yet.

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

The RC has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4 Series Coupe (17.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the RC’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Coupe:

For better traction, the RC has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Coupe (235/40R19 vs. 225/45R18). The RC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Coupe (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe’s (34.2 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the 4 Series Coupe xDrive’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The RC has 1 inch more front headroom and 3.6 inches more front legroom than the 4 Series Coupe.

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 RC’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RC’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 4 Series Coupe does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RC’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 4 Series Coupe’s standard power windows.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RC offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 4 Series Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RC will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RC will retain 51.63% to 53.31% of its original price after five years, while the 4 Series Coupe only retains 43.96% to 46.87%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus RC will be $5703 to $8220 less than for the BMW 4 Series Coupe.