Compare the2024 Lexus LSVS 2024 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LS are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LS has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The LS has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LS has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the LS and the 8 Series Gran 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 8 Series Gran 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 8 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 21 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. BMW is ranked third.

On the EPA test cycle the LS gets better mileage than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The 8 Series Gran Coupe can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (21.7 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (22.2 vs. 18 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LS higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe (3). This means the LS produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The LS 500h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The LS stops shorter than the 8 Series Gran Coupe:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The LS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The LS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the 8 Series Gran Coupe (123 inches vs. 119 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 840i Gran Coupe’s (36.8 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the M850i Gran Coupe’s (39.4 feet vs. 41.4 feet).

The design of the Lexus LS amounts to more than styling. The LS offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .28 to .3 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (.3 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the LS get better fuel mileage.

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The LS has 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the 8 Series Gran Coupe (17 vs. 15.5 cubic feet).

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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the LS has standard extendable sun visors. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The LS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The LS 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 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The LS offers optional massaging front and rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The LS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.