Compare the2026 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2026 Lexus ES

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 4 Series Gran Coupe are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The ES doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ES doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the ES 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 and around view monitors.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has more powerful engines than the ES:

Regardless of its engine, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the ES 350h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES (15.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ES doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M440i Gran Coupe xDrive’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the ES (245/45R18 vs. 235/55R19). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (F:245/40R19 & R:255/40R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES’ standard 55 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES’ optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The ES doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The ES’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.4% to 49.6%) than the ES’ (54.8% to 45.2%). This gives the 4 Series Gran Coupe more stable handling and braking.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 1.8 inches shorter than the ES, making the 4 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The ES Luxury’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Lexus ES isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.