Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The Lexus ES’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 14th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked fifth.

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

The ES can travel with zero emissions for 272 to 307 miles (dependent on model). 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 for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The ES 350h 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.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the 4 Series Gran Coupe (116.1 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The design of the Lexus ES amounts to more than styling. The ES offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .25 to .28 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 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.

The ES has .3 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 5.8 inches more rear legroom than the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, BMW is ranked 10th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the ES Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The ES offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES 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.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The ES 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 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Both the ES and the 4 Series Gran Coupe offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury 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 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The Lexus ES stands out above the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Lexus ES outsold the BMW 4 Series by 547 units during 2025.