2020 Lexus ES vs 2019 BMW 3 Series

The 2019 BMW 3 Series maintained its evolutionary design approach, avoiding major transformations and sticking to a classic, timeless look. The car was slightly longer and wider than its predecessor but retained a compact footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver. The most noticeable design change was the slicing off of the rear doors' Hoffmeister kink, replaced by a piece of black trim. The front featured recognizable BMW elements, including hard-edged half-circle LED running lamps and widened kidney grilles. The tail showcased simplified and squashed-down LED lights, giving it a clean and modern look. Inside, the 3 Series kept its driver-focused dash structure, with a digital instrument panel and an optional wireless charging pad. However, some interior materials felt coarse compared to previous models.

The 2020 Lexus ES, once labeled as "boring," evolved into a more aggressive-looking sedan with a massive spindle grille that meshed well with its larger proportions. The rear featured thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows, adding to its rakish appearance. The cabin elegantly blended modern technology with soft-touch materials, dominated by a large infotainment screen. The ES offered various trims, including the base 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each with its own set of features. The F Sport trim added unique exterior and interior elements, including a black mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and aluminum trim accents. The ES provided a comfortable and refined ride, with options for upgraded suspension and paddle shifters to enhance the driving experience.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine was praised for its smoothness, torque, and sound, although it had more turbo lag at low speeds. The M340i model offered a twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, providing near-M3 performance. The 330i xDrive had an 8-speed automatic transmission with perfect shifts and intuitive programming. The M Sport package included a lower and firmer suspension, staggered summer tires, and variable-ratio steering. The 330i xDrive had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined, while the RWD version was rated at 26/36/30.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. The ES provided confident acceleration and a comfortable, refined ride, thanks to its Dynamic Control Shocks. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+ for a more engaging driving experience. The ES's ride was smooth and quiet, with precise steering and the ability to handle corners confidently. The ES was based on the Toyota Camry and Avalon, making it a comfortable and reliable choice, though not a high-performance machine.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series offered a spacious backseat with improved legroom and a 17-cubic-foot trunk, providing ample space for luggage. The seats were firm but supportive, and visibility was good in all directions. The infotainment system, head-up display, and instrument clusters were intuitive and easy to operate. The main screen was a touchscreen with various swiping gestures, and the climate controls included a third zone for rear passengers. USB-C ports were also available.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with plenty of head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could slide back without compromising rear-seat legroom, and rear-seat headroom was expanded with the 2019 redesign. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage options. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series came with extensive technology, though many features required subscription fees. The iDrive system was superb, with customizable main menu tiles and over-the-air updates. The navigation system could learn driving patterns and compensate for traffic. The car offered a credit-card-size key and the option to create a digital key using an NFC-equipped smartphone. Gesture control allowed for various functions, though it was sometimes unreliable. The BMW personal assistant used natural speech and the web to answer questions. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included advanced features like automatic steering around curves and semi-autonomous driving in traffic.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. The system was not a touchscreen, but the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The infotainment system gained standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for 2020, with the CarPlay screen taking up the entire display. The ES came standard with a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. A head-up display was also available, providing crisp graphics and customization options.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series was a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with the best ratings in all six crash tests. It also received high ratings for its optional laser headlights and standard forward emergency braking. Pedestrian detection was standard, and optional features included blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous Traffic Jam Assist.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for limited semi-autonomous driving. The ES had a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.