2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional two-door coupe design, adopting a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This change was part of a broader trend among German automakers, where the term "coupe" was redefined to include vehicles with a coupe-like silhouette, regardless of the number of doors. The Gran Coupe shared its platform with the BMW X1, X2, and Mini models, featuring a front-wheel-drive bias, unlike the rear-wheel-drive setup of the 2 Series Coupe and Convertible. The front end of the Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, despite efforts to incorporate frameless doors and flared fenders. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of some competitors.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES underwent a transformation to shed its "boring" label, adopting a more aggressive design with a prominent spindle grille that integrated well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the ES featured thin taillamps and a pronounced kink in the side windows, adding to its sleek appearance. The cabin of the ES blended modern technology with an organic aesthetic, using soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen that seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The interior was considered one of the best in its class, second only to Mercedes-Benz. The ES offered various trims, including the 350 F Sport, which featured unique styling elements and performance-oriented features. The F Sport trim added a black mesh grille, dark window accents, and unique 19-inch alloy wheels, along with aluminum trim accents and exclusive interior color options.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series offered a range of powertrains, with the 228i Gran Coupe featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. While the engine provided solid power for everyday driving, it suffered from turbo lag, making initial acceleration less exciting. The Gran Coupe included a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The M235i variant offered a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 301 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. However, the true driving enthusiasts were drawn to the Coupe and Convertible models, with the 230i delivering 248 horsepower and the M240i boasting a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The 228i Gran Coupe's steering was sharp and responsive, but its front-wheel-drive layout lacked the organic feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible. The ride quality was firm, and the car struggled to absorb road imperfections, making it less suitable for rough roads.

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. This combination allowed the ES to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. While not a high-performance machine, the ES provided confident acceleration and smooth highway cruising. The ride quality was a highlight, with the suspension effectively absorbing bumps and maintaining a comfortable and refined experience. The ES featured Dynamic Control Shocks, with the F Sport trim offering an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) for enhanced performance. The AVS system included adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, such as Sport+, which improved steering response and throttle mapping. The ES's driving experience was further enhanced by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, allowing for more engaging driving dynamics. While not a sports sedan, the ES offered a balanced blend of comfort and performance, with the F Sport trim adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe provided supportive and comfortable front seats, with ample legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat legroom, which was severely limited once the front seats were adjusted for average-height occupants. The Gran Coupe's cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls and a small center console. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible models provided slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible offering 11.8 cubic feet with the top up and 8.8 cubic feet with the top down.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with generous head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could be adjusted without compromising rear-seat comfort, and the redesign in 2019 improved rear-seat headroom. The front doors had deep pockets for storage, and the center console offered multiple retractable panels for organizing personal items. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was competitive for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to transport larger items.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation. The test model included a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable displays and a head-up display (HUD) for added convenience.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlled by a touch-sensitive pad in the center console. The standard 8-inch display could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch screen, though it was not a touchscreen. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the CarPlay interface taking up the entire screen for easy navigation. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system and a head-up display for enhanced technology features.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable.

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. The system also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for semi-autonomous highway driving. Additional safety features included a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.