Compare the2024 Lexus RZVS 2024 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ 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 i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The i4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the RZ and i4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RZ has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The i4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the RZ and the i4 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The i4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the i4:

The RZ 300e w/18" Wheels FWD can travel longer on a full charge than the i4 eDrive35 19" Wheels RWD (266 miles vs. 235 miles).

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the i4 (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the i4’s (36.8 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The i4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has .4 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom and 3.3 inches more rear legroom than the i4.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The i4’s 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.

The RZ’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The i4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the i4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the i4.

The RZ has a 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 i4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The i4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus RZ and the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.