2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series presented itself with a restrained design, opting for subtle sophistication over ostentatious detailing. The model received a slight styling refresh for the year, introducing a sleeker look with more streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully-sized, signature twin-kidney grille. Adding to its refined appearance were trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and redesigned bumpers for the M Sport Package. The 5 Series grew by 1.2 inches in length, yet maintained an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.27, ensuring both elegance and efficiency.

Inside, the 5 Series retained BMW's iconic layout. Key characteristics included the positioning of the touchscreen, the distinctive shifter, and specific typefaces, maintaining a consistent BMW identity. Material quality varied by trim level, with options ranging from basic SensaTec upholstery to higher-grade Dakota and Nappa leathers. Special additions, such as our test car’s Nappa leather in Mocha and aluminum trim with a unique scale pattern, augmented the upscale feel. However, the leather-wrapped “sport” steering wheel felt slightly out of place, given the car's primarily luxury orientation.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive as standard. The ES 350 continued with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive, available across multiple trims including Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. The hybrid ES 300h offered an economical alternative with a premium price but improved fuel efficiency.

The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition showcased an enticing combination of extra-cost paint, adaptive variable suspension, Sport+ and Custom driving modes, triple-beam LED headlights, and a host of luxury options including illuminated door sills, a head-up display, and hands-free power trunk operation. Its black and white interior contrasted strikingly with the dramatic cabin design, exuding a sense of luxury and quality synonymous with the Lexus brand.

Furthermore, the ES's bold grille took some getting used to, but overall, the vehicle was a visual treat with its long, lean, and meticulously detailed silhouette. The F Sport trim, with its unique styling details and 19-inch wheels, was particularly appealing, accentuated further in the limited-production Black Line Special Edition.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series excelled with a range of powertrain options, starting with the base 530i sedan equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This entry-level model achieved zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. A step up to the 540i introduced a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. Our 540i xDrive test car, benefiting from adaptive dampers, offered sharp handling and smooth acceleration, though lacking the ultimate driver’s engagement found in older BMWs.

For those seeking even more power, the M550i xDrive's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 generated 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, reducing the zero to 60 mph time to 3.6 seconds. The M5, with its enhanced version of the V8, produced 617 hp in Competition spec, achieving 60 mph in a blistering 3.1 seconds. Additionally, the 530e plug-in hybrid provided a greener option, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 288 hp and a zero to 60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 standardized a 3.5-liter V6 engine across its lineup, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission channeled power to the front wheels, offering Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes. Our F Sport test car featured an adaptive damping suspension, adding Sport+ and Custom modes, and achieved zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds according to Lexus, though it felt quicker in practice.

Despite its front-wheel-drive configuration, the ES 350 F Sport exhibited commendable driving dynamics with firm ride quality, flat cornering, and general athleticism, albeit falling short of outright sports sedan standards. The drive modes provided discernible differences, enhancing both competence and enjoyment particularly in the two Sport modes.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was available exclusively as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the United States, unlike some rivals that offered wagon variants. It felt spacious, with competitive front seat room and ample legroom in the rear, despite appearing slightly less roomy on paper compared to competitors. The trunk capacity stood at a generous 14.0 cubic feet, surpassing that of the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench's 40/20/20 split folding added versatility for longer items.

Our test car boasted 16-way power front seats with four-way lumbar support, driver memory, heating, and ventilation, ensuring comfort without compromising support. However, the forward visibility was somewhat restricted by the long, high hood, though mitigated by a surround-view camera system for easier parking maneuvers.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured an unconventional yet practical interior layout, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather balanced comfort with authenticity, and the lengthy bottom cushions provided excellent thigh support. Rear-seat passengers benefited from generous legroom, supportive cushions, and rear air conditioning vents, though a panoramic glass roof was absent.

Visibility in the ES was excellent due to thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. Storage solutions, though plentiful, favored small compartments over large bins, and the wireless smartphone charger was oddly placed under the center armrest. The trunk capacity was slightly less than its counterpart, measuring at 13.9 cubic feet, but featured a convenient hands-free power trunk.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The screen's location atop the dashboard facilitated easy visibility, though the instrument cluster's layout could be disorienting due to the presence of a power meter instead of a traditional tachometer.

Control options were diverse, with a rotary knob providing tactile interfacing, complemented by voice control responding to "Hey BMW," and gesture controls for certain functions, though less precise than traditional knobs.

For the 2021 Lexus ES, the standard 8-inch display could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch widescreen, accompanied by dynamic voice command technology and optional dynamic navigation and destination assist connected services. The ES's climate and primary stereo controls were separate from the touchpad, with a combined volume and tuning knob within easy reach of the driver. However, the touchpad itself was problematic, requiring continuous eye contact and precise finger movements.

Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with an impressive 10-speaker premium sound system or an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson high-end system for audiophiles.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, although not crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the year, had a virtually identical 2020 model that earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award. This accolade included top scores in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests, though standard headlights were rated “marginal.” Standard safety features encompassed lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.

The Driving Assistance Plus Package offered additional features such as adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist. The traffic-jam assist allowed for smooth handling of stop-and-go highway traffic, while adaptive cruise control provided smooth operation at higher speeds compared to rivals.

The 2021 Lexus ES came equipped with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, road-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. For 2021, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard on all trims except the base.

The IIHS awarded the 2021 ES a "Top Safety Pick+" status, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall rating. Though the ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) proved effective in city driving, some elements like lane-centering occasionally struggled, prompting a preference for manual control.