Compare the2023 BMW 330eVS 2023 Lexus ES

The 330e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ES doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 330e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ES doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 330e 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 330e is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW 330e is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The 330e’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 330e 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 330e’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 330e has a standard 720-amp battery. The ES’ 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 330e is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 330e’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The ES’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 330e’s reliability 13 points higher than the Lexus ES and 18 points higher than the Lexus ES Hybrid.

The 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (288 vs. 203) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 184) than the ES 250 AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 73 more horsepower (288 vs. 215) than the ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 267) than the ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 330e running on electricity gets better mileage than the ES:

On the EPA test cycle the 330e running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the ES:

The 330e can travel with zero emissions for 20 to 23 miles (dependent on model). The ES has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 330e higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus ES (5 to 7). This means the 330e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES every 15,000 miles.

The 330e’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 330e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

The 330e’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.

For better traction, the 330e has larger standard tires than the ES (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The 330e’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 330e’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 330e has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 330e 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 330e 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 330e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.7% to 50.3%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the 330e more stable handling and braking.

The 330e is 10 inches shorter than the ES, making the 330e easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 330e amounts to more than styling. The 330e has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the ES (.26 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 330e get better fuel mileage.

The 330e has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 330e’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 330e’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 engine in the 330e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the ES, the 330e has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 330e’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.

Both the 330e and the ES offer optional heated front seats. The 330e also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 330e is less expensive to operate than the ES because typical repairs cost much less on the 330e than the ES, including $199 less for a fuel pump, $311 less for a timing belt/chain and $512 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 330e and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.