Compare the2026 BMW i4VS 2025 Lexus ES

The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ES doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the i4 and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The BMW i4 weighs 816 to 1332 pounds more than the Lexus ES. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the i4 is much safer than the ES:

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 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 i4’s warranty.

The i4 has more powerful engines than the ES:

As tested in Motor Trend the i4 eDrive40 electric motor is faster than the Lexus ES:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the ES:

The i4 can travel with zero emissions for 232 to 333 miles (dependent on model). The ES has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the i4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the ES Hybrid.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW i4 higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus ES (4 to 6). This means the i4 produces up to 25 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES every 15,000 miles.

The i4 M50’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 i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

The i4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the i4 has larger standard tires than the ES (225/50R18 vs. 215/55R17). The i4 M60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES’ standard 55 series tires. The i4 M60’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the ES F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i4 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES. The i4 M60’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the ES F Sport.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the ES, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The ES doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.4% to 51.6%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the i4 more stable handling and braking.

The i4 eDrive40 handles at .91 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The i4 eDrive40 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.2 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The i4 is 7.4 inches shorter than the ES, making the i4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW i4 amounts to more than styling. The i4 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .24 to .25 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the ES (.26 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the i4 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the i4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The ES doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the i4’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The i4’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The i4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ES’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the i4’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the ES’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The ES’ optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The i4’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 i4 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the ES.

The i4 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the ES. The i4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW i4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the ES.

The i4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The ES doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW i4 and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The ES has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.