Compare the2024 Lexus LSVS 2024 BMW 5 Series

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 5 Series 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 5 Series doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the LS and the 5 Series 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Lexus LS weighs 538 to 1052 pounds more than the BMW 5 Series. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 5 Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 5 Series ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The battery on the LS is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the LS’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The 5 Series’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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.

The LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 99 more horsepower (354 vs. 255) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the 530i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 produces 41 more horsepower (416 vs. 375) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 398) than the 540i xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The 5 Series can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 5 Series (21.7 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 6.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 5 Series (22.2 vs. 15.9 gallons).

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 5 Series.

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 5 Series doesn’t offer a CVT.

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. The 5 Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 5 Series doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the 5 Series (123 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 5 Series’ (36.8 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the 5 Series xDrive’s (39.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 5 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The 5 Series’ rear seats don’t recline.

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 5 Series 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 5 Series 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 5 Series doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The LS has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the 5 Series.

Both the LS and the 5 Series offer optional massaging front seats. The LS also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the 5 Series.

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 5 Series doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.