Compare the2023 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2023 Lexus LC

The 4 Series Convertible’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Convertible M440i offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The LC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Convertible offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The 4 Series Convertible M440i offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The LC only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 4 Series Convertible and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and rear 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 and driver alert monitors.

The 4 Series Convertible’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LC’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LC (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 4 Series Convertible’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4 Series Convertible’s reliability 28 points higher than the LC.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Convertible third among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The LC isn’t in the top three in its category.

The M440i Convertible’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (382 vs. 354) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 350) than the LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Convertible’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the LC Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the 4 Series Convertible’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 LC Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

All wheel drive, available in the 4 Series Convertible, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lexus LC is not available with all wheel drive.

The 4 Series Convertible’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 LC doesn’t offer launch control.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 400 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 4 Series Convertible a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The 4 Series Convertible has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (84 vs. 75.2).

The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (10.6 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 4 Series Convertible easier. The 4 Series Convertible’s trunk lift-over height is 26.5 inches, while the LC’s liftover is 33.6 inches.

The 4 Series Convertible’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The LC doesn’t offer a power trunk.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The LC doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 4 Series Convertible’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the 4 Series Convertible is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 4 Series Convertible has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

The 4 Series Convertible M440i’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Lexus LC isn’t available as a four door.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Convertible owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 4 Series Convertible will cost $2365 to $4660 less than the LC over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 4 Series Convertible will be $31162 to $34568 less than for the Lexus LC.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Lexus LC by almost 27 to one during 2022.