Compare the2024 Lexus ESVS 2024 BMW i5

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 i5 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 i5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the ES and the i5 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.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The i5 has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the i5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ES third among midsize premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The i5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

For better maneuverability, the ES’ turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the i5 M60 xDrive’s (38 feet vs. 39 feet). The ES’ turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the i5 eDrive40’s (38 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Lexus ES may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 to 1450 pounds less than the BMW i5.

The ES is 3.3 inches shorter than the i5, making the ES easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 i5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has 1.1 inches more front legroom and 2.7 inches more rear legroom than the i5.

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.

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 i5 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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