Compare the2023 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Lexus ES

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the ES 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

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

There are over 44 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The ES isn’t in the top three in its category.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has more powerful engines than the ES:

As tested in Motor Trend the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is faster than the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the 2 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the ES:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 2 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 Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the 2 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 Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The 2 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 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

The 2 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 are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the ES (225/45R17 vs. 215/55R17).

The 2 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’ standard 55 series tires. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES F Sport’s 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 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 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES’ suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the ES’ (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Lexus ES.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 5.4 inches shorter than the ES, making the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the ES (15.1 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk lift-over height is 24.5 inches, while the ES’ liftover is 27.4 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The 2 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’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the ES’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The ES doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 2 Series Gran Coupe will retain 47.21% to 48.43% of its original price after five years, while the ES only retains 42.74% to 46.28%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will be $465 to $1609 less than for the Lexus ES.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.