Compare the2025 Lexus ESVS 2024 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

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 4 Series Gran Coupe 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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the ES and 4 Series Gran Coupe have rear cross-traffic warning, but the ES offers optional Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the ES and the 4 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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

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’ reliability 12 points higher than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

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.

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

The ES can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The 4 Series Gran Coupe can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 4 Series Gran Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The ES has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 4 Series Gran Coupe don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the ES’ turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The design of the Lexus ES amounts to more than styling. The ES offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the ES get better fuel mileage.

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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the ES a Mid-size car, while the 4 Series Gran Coupe is rated a Compact.

The ES has 8.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4 Series Gran Coupe (99.9 vs. 91).

The ES has .9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 4.3 inches more rear legroom than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES offers cargo security. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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.

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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the ES has standard extendable sun visors. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES will be $11668 to $12923 less than for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.