Compare the2024 Lexus LCVS 2024 BMW 8 Series

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LC 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 8 Series doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The LC 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 8 Series’ blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. BMW charges extra for Cross Traffic Warning on the 8 Series.

Both the LC and the 8 Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LC 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 8 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 8 Series 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.

The LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (354 vs. 335) than the 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the LC Coupe gets better mileage than the 8 Series Coupe:

The LC can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The 8 Series can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LC’s standard fuel tank has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 8 Series (21.7 vs. 18 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LC Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 8 Series (22.2 vs. 18 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LC higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW 8 Series (3). This means the LC produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 8 Series every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 8 Series.

The LC 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 8 Series doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 8 Series:

The LC stops shorter than the 8 Series:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LC has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the 8 Series. The LC’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the 8 Series.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the 8 Series.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LC’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the 8 Series (113 inches vs. 111.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LC Active Rear Steering’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the 8 Series’ (34.8 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The LC’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the 8 Series xDrive’s (35.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

The LC is 3.8 inches shorter than the 8 Series, making the LC easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The LC Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 8 Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The LC has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 8 Series (85.9 vs. 81).

The LC has 3 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Coupe.

The LC Convertible has .5 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the 8 Series Convertible.

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 LC’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. BMW does not offer a locking feature on the 8 Series’ standard power windows.

The LC has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 8 Series doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The LC will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the LC will retain 55.78% to 56.81% of its original price after five years, while the 8 Series only retains 42.63% to 42.96%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus LC will be $2833 to $20172 less than for the BMW 8 Series.