BMW prioritizes sporty performance and cutting-edge technology with higher horsepower outputs, while Lexus emphasizes reliability and luxury comfort with lower maintenance costs and superior long-term dependability ratings.
BMW vs Lexus — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
German luxury automaker known for sporty handling, performance-focused engineering, and premium sedan/SUV lineup.
Japanese luxury automaker emphasizing reliability, refinement, and ownership cost efficiency.
Average Reliability Rating (J.D. Power). Average Engine Horsepower (3-Series/IS Comparable). 5-Year Maintenance Cost. Average Owner Satisfaction (Consumer Reports). Warranty Coverage (Basic/Powertrain). Average Depreciation at 5 Years. 0-60 mph Time (Average across lineup)
Choose BMW if you prioritize sporty driving dynamics, advanced technology features, and don't mind higher maintenance costs—ideal for performance-focused enthusiasts. Choose Lexus if you value reliability, lower ownership costs, comfort-first design, and long-term peace of mind—ideal for practical luxury buyers seeking dependability.
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Higher worldwide sales | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Secondary position | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Audi Q5: 15,000+ units | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 760i: 536 hp @ 5500 RPM | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 760i: 553 lb-ft @ 1800 RPM | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
Electric Flagship Cargo Space (Seats Down)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): iX: 77.9 cu ft | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Not specified | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Bold, dramatic lighting-focused | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 5.2 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 23 MPG | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 14.9-inch iDrive 8 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 100 cu ft | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 255 hp | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $825 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 78 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $64,800 (540i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 28 MPG (540i xDrive) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4.5 seconds (M440i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4,500+ dealers | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 80/100 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 16+ models | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 625 hp (M440i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $48,500 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 28 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): iDrive 8 (9/10) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 37.8 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Optional (xDrive) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 81 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 84
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $850 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 8.5 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): BMW i3, i4, iX (strong) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $42,450 (330i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $59,200 (X5 sDrive40i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 503 HP (M540i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 516 miles (iX xDrive50) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 12.3 inches (iDrive 8) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
Average Annual Maintenance Cost (Years 1-3)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $1,075 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4 years/50,000 miles | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
Interior Material Standard (Leather Type)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Sensatec (synthetic), optional Nappa | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 3.9 seconds | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): i4 eDrive35: 301 mi | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $43,450 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): Limited proprietary access | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
Service Center Availability (North America)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 680+ authorized centers | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $0.12 (gas/hybrid average) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $48,900 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 28 MPG | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4.6 sec | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 8.4 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 90% | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 324 mi (iX xDrive50) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4yr/50k mi | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $890 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $1,950
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 94 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 81 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 88
Engine Horsepower (3-Series/IS Comparison)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 382 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 311
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $6,850 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $4,200
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 76% | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 84%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 4 years / 50,000 miles | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 3 years / 36,000 miles
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 52% | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 43%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 5.2 seconds | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 7.8 seconds
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 24 mpg | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 26 mpg
Starting Price (2026 3-Series vs C-Class)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $45,000 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 6.8 (iDrive 8) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 29 (3-Series Turbo) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 382 (M440i) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 6 years / Unlimited | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 78 (Above Average) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 37.4 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $599 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
0-60 MPH Acceleration (Performance Variant)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): M440i: 4.6 sec | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 15,000+ partner stations | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $5,600 | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $4,200
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 8 dedicated EV models | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): 5.8% | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $0.38/mi | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): $59,900 (i4 eDrive35) | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): N/A
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $48,000
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 6.2 seconds (RX 350)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 14.0 inches (2026 ES)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 71%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 58%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 74%
Base Model Horsepower (3-series/IS Sedan)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 241 hp
Owner Satisfaction Score (Consumer Reports 2024)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 86%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 28%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): Lexus Interface with multimedia controls
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 64 dB
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 70%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 136
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $528
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 3 years/36,000 miles
Transmission Failure Rate (10-year lifespan)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 1.2%
Consumer Reports Reliability Rating 2024
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 4.5/5.0
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 89%
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): 7.2 years
Total 10-Year Ownership Cost (avg mid-size sedan)
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke): N/A | Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division): $8,420 repairs + maintenance
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) — Wikipedia
Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) — Wikipedia
How to choose between BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) and Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division)
Compare BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) vs Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division)
BMW vs Lexus — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for BMW vs Lexus. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
BMW vs Lexus — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for BMW vs Lexus.
Which brand has better reliability long-term?
Lexus significantly outperforms BMW in reliability. Lexus ranks #1 in J.D. Power reliability studies (88/100) with Toyota-engineered powertrains, while BMW averages 81/100. Over 10 years, Lexus owners typically report fewer unexpected repairs and lower breakdown frequency.
Is BMW really more expensive to maintain?
Yes. Average 5-year maintenance costs are $6,850 for BMW versus $4,200 for Lexus—a 63% difference. BMW's complex turbocharged engines, dual-clutch transmissions, and proprietary parts drive higher labor and parts costs. Lexus uses proven Toyota components with lower failure rates.
Which is better for performance driving?
BMW delivers superior performance with 382 hp average (vs. Lexus 311 hp), tighter steering response, and sport-tuned suspensions. BMW 0-60 times average 5.2 seconds versus Lexus's 7.8 seconds. Choose BMW if driving engagement is your priority.
Lexus retains approximately 43% of its value after 5 years compared to BMW's 52% depreciation rate. Lexus's reliability reputation and lower maintenance costs make used models more desirable, resulting in better resale prices.
Lexus averages 26 mpg (EPA mixed) versus BMW's 24 mpg. However, differences narrow with turbo-4 BMW engines versus naturally-aspirated Lexus engines. Real-world efficiency depends heavily on driving style and specific model year.
How to Choose Between BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) and Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division)
Consider: Average Reliability Rating (J.D. Power)
Average Reliability Rating (J.D. Power): BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 81/100, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 88/100.
Consider: Average Engine Horsepower (3-Series/IS Comparable)
Average Engine Horsepower (3-Series/IS Comparable): BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 382 hp, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 311 hp.
5-Year Maintenance Cost: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has $6,850, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has $4,200.
Consider: Average Owner Satisfaction (Consumer Reports)
Average Owner Satisfaction (Consumer Reports): BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 76%, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 84%.
Consider: Warranty Coverage (Basic/Powertrain)
Warranty Coverage (Basic/Powertrain): BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 4 years / 50,000 mi, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 3 years / 36,000 mi.
Consider: Average Depreciation at 5 Years
Average Depreciation at 5 Years: BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 52%, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 43%.
Consider: 0-60 mph Time (Average across lineup)
0-60 mph Time (Average across lineup): BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has 5.2 seconds, while Lexus (Toyota Luxury Division) has 7.8 seconds.