Compare the2025 Lexus ESVS 2024 BMW 3 Series Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES 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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES 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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The ES’ standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 3 Series Sedan.

The ES 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 3 Series Sedan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ES has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 3 Series Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan’s Cross Traffic Warning does not include automatic braking.

Both the ES and the 3 Series Sedan 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus ES is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

	ES	3 Series Sedan
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	145
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	32 lbs.

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 Lexus ES is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

	ES	3 Series Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	107
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	160 lbs.	179 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	300	305
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	47 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	39 G’s

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

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 3 Series Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

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 Lexus ES Hybrid’s reliability 14 points higher than the 3 Series Sedan and the Lexus ES is rated 16 points higher than the 3 Series Sedan.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES gets better mileage than the 3 Series Sedan running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
ES
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/44 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
3 Series Sedan
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/32 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/31 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/31 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/32 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 3 Series Sedan requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan 330e’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The ES 300h 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 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 3 Series Sedan.

For better maneuverability, the ES’ turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The ES F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ES has .4 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 4 inches more rear legroom than the 3 Series Sedan.

The front step up height for the ES is 1.7 inches lower than the 3 Series Sedan (14.8” vs. 16.5”). The ES’ rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the 3 Series Sedan’s (15” vs. 16.3”).

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (13.9 vs. 13 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

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 35% lower rating, BMW is ranked 13th.

Ergonomics

The ES’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ES’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the 3 Series Sedan only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the ES keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the ES owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ES will cost $670 less than the 3 Series Sedan over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Sedan because it costs $81 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ES than the 3 Series Sedan, including $364 less for a water pump, $398 less for a muffler, $67 less for front brake pads, $91 less for a starter, $66 less for fuel injection and $130 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES will be $6323 to $17552 less than for the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES and the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus ES outsold the BMW 3 Series by 15% during 2023.

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