2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 Lexus ES

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked memories of majestic marine life with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversize grille, giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the 3 Series was praised for its driving experience, particularly the M340i trim. The interior offered a variety of colors and materials, with the test car featuring off-white Ivory leather and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The cabin's quality and purposeful appearance helped justify its sticker price.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES underwent a transformation from being labeled "boring" to adopting a more aggressive look with a large spindle grille and thin taillamps. The cabin blended modern technology with an organic aesthetic, featuring soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen. The ES 350 came in various trims, including Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each offering different levels of luxury and features. The F Sport trim added unique exterior and interior elements, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series addressed previous criticisms of its driving dynamics with significant structural and suspension changes. The M340i trim featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination allowed the M340i xDrive to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The car's handling was further enhanced by variable sport steering, a rear M Sport differential, and M Sport brakes. Despite the lack of a manual transmission, the automatic transmission and paddle shifters provided an engaging driving experience.

The 2020 Lexus ES, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through 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 prioritized comfort and refinement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps without feeling wallow-y. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+. While not a performance machine, the ES provided confident acceleration and a comfortable ride.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured simple and supportive front seats, high-quality leather, and heated options. Rear-seat entry and exit were awkward, but once inside, the seats provided excellent support. The car's controls were somewhat cryptic, but the widescreen infotainment system and iDrive were user-friendly. Storage space was generous, with a 17-cubic-foot trunk, though it appeared narrow.

The 2020 Lexus ES offered a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console featured multiple storage options. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting cargo flexibility.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was user-friendly, with intuitive menu pathways and excellent voice recognition. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Lexus ES used the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a dramatic display for CarPlay. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system or an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages for the latest ADAS features. While the systems were accurate, they lacked smoothness. The lane-keeping assist was abrupt, reminding drivers to stay engaged. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including 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. The ES included a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.