Compare the2027 BMW 5 Series VS 2025 Lexus ES

The BMW 5 Series’ optional Surround View offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Lexus ES lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 5 Series has standard Cross Traffic Warning with Brake Intervention, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the ES.

Both the 5 Series 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, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the BMW 5 Series is safer than the ES:

	5 Series	ES
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	193	403
Neck Tension	245 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	158	197
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	803 lbs.	1205 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The 5 Series’ corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series 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 5 Series’ warranty.

The 5 Series has more powerful engines than the ES:

	Horsepower	Torque
530i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
540i xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	375 HP	398 lbs.-ft.
550e xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
ES 250 Luxury AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP	184 lbs.-ft.
ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	215 HP
ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6	302 HP	267 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the 530i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus ES:

	5 Series	ES 300h	ES 350
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	7.8 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.6 MPH	90.6 MPH	99.2 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series running on electricity gets better mileage than the ES:

			MPGe
5 Series
	AWD	50e xDrive Electric Motor	65 city/73 hwy
ES
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/44 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/32 hwy
		F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the ES:

			MPG
5 Series
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	29 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/34 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/32 hwy
ES
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/32 hwy
		F Sport 3.5 DOHC V6	22 city/31 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

The 550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The ES has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, the 5 Series’ 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 Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The 5 Series has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 5 Series higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Lexus ES (4 to 6). This means the 5 Series produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ES every 15,000 miles.

The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

	5 Series	540i xDrive	ES
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	14.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.1 inches

The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series stops much shorter than the ES:

	5 Series	ES
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	140 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the 5 Series has larger standard tires than the ES (245/45R19 vs. 215/55R17). The 5 Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (F:245/40R20 & R:275/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series’ optional 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 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 5 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES. The 5 Series’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the ES F Sport.

The 5 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES’ suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 5 Series’ wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the ES (117.9 inches vs. 113 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 5 Series is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the ES.

The 5 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.5% to 47.5%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the 5 Series more stable handling and braking.

The 530i xDrive handles at .95 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 550e xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.9 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (24.5 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The front grille of the 5 Series 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.

The 5 Series has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 5.5 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The 5 Series has a much larger trunk than the ES (18.4 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 5 Series’ trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The 5 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The engine in the 5 Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the ES, the 5 Series offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 5 Series’ standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the ES.

The 5 Series’ 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.

The ES’ optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 5 Series’ 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 5 Series 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 5 Series has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the ES. The 5 Series 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 5 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the ES.

The 5 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The ES doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 5 Series and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 5 Series first among upper midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The ES isn’t in the top three in its category.