2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This model was priced similarly to the ES 350, which had a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). 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 at a premium price. Lexus also made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims except the base model. The Black Line Special Edition of the ES 350 debuted with unique styling elements and limited production.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with base prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000, excluding a $995 destination charge. Each model had a distinct powertrain, with the 330i and 330e featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the latter paired with plug-in hybrid technology. The M340i boasted a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, while the M3 was the high-performance variant. The M340i test vehicle came with Barbera Red special-order paint, Cognac SensaTec upholstery, and several optional packages, bringing the total price to $67,390.

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 driving the front wheels. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available on models with adaptive damping suspension. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, and the EPA rated the car at 25 mpg combined. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its official acceleration time, averaging 22.9 mpg. The car's firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism were impressive, though it was not an outright sports sedan.

The 2022 BMW M340i came with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M340i accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The car returned 24.9 mpg during testing, just shy of the EPA's 26 mpg combined rating. The M340i's driving dynamics were exceptional, with quick, precise steering, a taut ride, and impressive handling. The car felt hard-wired to the driver's inputs, making it a perfect tool for spirited driving.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery provided excellent comfort, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of cargo space, with an optional hands-free power trunk. The interior layout was daring yet functional, with excellent outward visibility and plentiful storage, though the wireless smartphone charger was oddly placed under the center armrest.

The 2022 BMW M340i's interior featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear-seat passengers had adequate legroom, though the center rear seat was less practical. The car came with a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available in the Premium package. The trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Interior storage was decent, though a sports wagon variant would have been more practical.

The 2021 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch display, with an optional 12.3-inch widescreen display. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services. The dynamic voice command technology was excellent, allowing drivers to bypass the touchpad interface. The optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided high-quality audio. However, the touchpad interface was cumbersome and required drivers to take their eyes off the road.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series featured Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The car came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro included BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, which responded accurately to various commands. The optional head-up display was challenging to read with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, 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 trims except the base model. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, which featured forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.