2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an affordable entry-level option for those aspiring to own a BMW, featuring the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to specific packages, and new driving-assistance safety features. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with various packages and options, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to improve its proportions. The cabin was pulled back to enhance the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with premium features, did not feel like a basic BMW.

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 250 and ES 350 were available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Additionally, the ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel economy and came in Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Lexus made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all versions except the base trim. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, a limited-production model, featured unique styling elements and a matching luggage set. Pricing for the ES lineup ranged from $40,000 to $50,910, plus a destination charge.

The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition boasted design enhancements, including 19-inch wheels, unique styling details, and a black and white interior. The Black Line Special Edition was available in select colors, with black accents throughout. The ES's design featured a dramatic grille, and the F Sport trim added appeal with its toned-down chrome and larger wheels. Inside, the black and white interior provided a striking contrast, and the ES maintained its reputation for quality materials and high design, despite sharing a platform with the Toyota Avalon.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under the "ultimate driving machine" moniker. While some critics were skeptical, the 228i Gran Coupe, with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offered a comparable performance to the revered Volkswagen GTI. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe featured all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces. BMW quoted a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds for the 228i xDrive, providing a quick and enjoyable driving experience. The turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology, including brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The M Sport Package added fantastic M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience. The suspension was firm but provided a glued-to-the-road feel, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg during testing, surpassing the EPA's estimate.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 offered Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport averaged 22.9 mpg. The ES 350 F Sport provided unexpected competence and driving enjoyment, with discernible differences between driving modes. The firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism were remarkable for a car with the ES's reputation as a comfortable cruiser. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, as the official Lexus sports sedans were the IS 350 F Sport and the upcoming IS 500 F Sport Performance.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug but comfortable, and there was adequate storage for typical items. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the low-slung design. The Gran Coupe's body style, with two extra doors and a back seat, was not entirely convincing. The rear doors required some maneuvering to access, and the back seat offered limited space, with headroom and legroom constraints. The trunk, however, was roomy at 15.2 cubic feet, with a generous storage compartment underneath the load floor and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout that remained useful, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided excellent comfort, and the rear seat offered good foot and legroom, with supportive cushions and a comfortable seating position. Rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade added to passenger comfort. The ES provided excellent outward visibility, with thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with nooks and crannies rather than wide trays and large bins. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, with a hands-free power trunk for added convenience.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional round analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display reminiscent of a video game. The Live Cockpit Pro display paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. The test car also had a full-color head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus ES faced challenges with its touchpad interface, requiring attention to the screen and cursor placement. However, the ES offered positive features, including separate climate and stereo controls, a combination volume and tuning knob, and excellent dynamic voice command technology. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen display looked impressive but needed to be a touchscreen. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services, with free trial periods ranging from three to ten years. The ES featured a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson high-end sound system.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a new Driving Assistance Package, adding adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The test car included the Active Driving Assistant, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, but it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ADAS proved effective during testing, though the lane-centering technology occasionally struggled. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.