2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2022 Lexus ES had a long-standing presence in the Lexus lineup, evolving over seven generations since its debut in 1990. Despite a decline in sales since its peak in 2007, it remained a respectable choice for many buyers. Lexus faced the challenge of appealing to both its aging loyal customer base and attracting younger buyers, leading to a design that aimed to satisfy everyone but sometimes resulted in a safe and slightly odd aesthetic. The latest generation, launched in 2018, utilized the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, supporting both FWD and AWD configurations. The ES featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille, with wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, the ES offered a well-assembled but asymmetrical dashboard, with bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model, and a small analog chronometer that added to the dash's cluttered look.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with base prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000. Each version had a different 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 high-performance M3 topped the range. The M340i test vehicle came with Barbera Red special-order paint, Cognac-color SensaTec upholstery, and various optional packages, bringing the price to $67,390. The M340i's exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers, with 19-inch wheels available through the Cooling and High-Performance Tire package. Inside, the M340i featured perforated SensaTec upholstery, a technical design, and quality materials, maintaining the 3 Series' focus on driving enjoyment.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. It could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and the same top speed. It achieved 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined and a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD test car had a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that felt slow and unrefined, though it handled well and drove smoothly.

The 2022 BMW M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It achieved 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route, just shy of the EPA rating of 26 mpg combined. The M340i could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, delivering impressive performance and handling. The car's M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, and optional Adaptive M Suspension contributed to its dynamic driving experience. The M340i felt hard-wired to the driver's inputs, providing a thrilling and confident driving experience, making it a standout in the sports sedan segment.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered practical advantages over SUVs, including a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, a pass-through for long items, and fold-flat rear seats in the ES 250 and ES 350. The sedan's lower center of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling and fuel economy compared to the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES provided ample storage and convenience features, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious center console storage bin. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system, catering to mature drivers.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series provided a balance of driving satisfaction and passenger comfort. The M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support, a perfect driving position, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, though the center rear seat was less practical. The 3 Series offered a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available through the Premium package. Interior storage was decent, and the 17 cubic-foot trunk provided ample cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trim levels featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES also offered a 10-inch head-up display, Panoramic View Monitor, and Intuitive Parking Assist with auto braking. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, WiFi, Dynamic Navigation, and Destination Assist.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series featured Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and navigation. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a gesture control system. The 3 Series included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. Connected Package Pro technology offered BMW Remote Services and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The M340i also had a head-up display, surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and autonomous parking capability.

The 2022 Lexus ES ranked highly in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, with a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. The ES also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series had a more basic standard safety package, including Active Guard with 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 from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.