Compare the2024 BMW 4 Series CoupeVS 2023 Lexus RC

The 4 Series Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RC doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Coupe 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 RC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Coupe offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RC 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 Coupe and the RC 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, 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 4 Series Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RC’s (12 vs. 6 years).

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

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the 4 Series Coupe’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the RC’s camshafts. If the RC’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the 4 Series Coupe is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 4 Series Coupe’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RC’s 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 4 Series Coupe’s reliability 28 points higher than the RC.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Coupe third among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The RC isn’t in the top three.

The 4 Series Coupe has more powerful engines than the RC:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW 4 Series Coupe is faster than the RC 350 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Coupe gets better mileage than the RC:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 4 Series Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The RC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Lexus RC is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The 4 Series 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 RC doesn’t offer launch control.

The 4 Series Coupe stops much shorter than the RC:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RC doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Coupe’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the RC (112.2 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

The M440i xDrive Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the RC 350 AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The design of the BMW 4 Series Coupe amounts to more than styling. The 4 Series Coupe offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .25 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the RC (.3 to .31). A more efficient exterior helps the 4 Series Coupe go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the 4 Series Coupe get better fuel mileage.

The 4 Series Coupe has 2.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC (86 vs. 83.8).

The 4 Series Coupe has .4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 7.2 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC.

The 4 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the RC (12 vs. 10.4 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 4 Series Coupe’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The RC doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Coupe 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 RC doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The 4 Series Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4 Series Coupe’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 4 Series 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 RC’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the 4 Series Coupe has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC doesn’t offer cornering lights. The 4 Series Coupe also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The 4 Series Coupe has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The RC doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 4 Series offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The RC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

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

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Lexus RC by almost 14 to one during 2022.