2022 BMW i4 vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since its debut in 1990, had evolved over seven generations by 2022. Despite a decline in sales since its peak in 2007, the ES remained a popular choice among an older demographic. Lexus faced the challenge of attracting younger buyers without alienating its loyal customer base, resulting in a design that was both safe and slightly unconventional. The latest generation, launched in 2018, was built on the Global Architecture-K platform, supporting a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with optional all-wheel drive. The ES featured elegant proportions, a sleek roofline, and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille. Inside, the dashboard was asymmetrical, with a cockpit feel on the driver's side, and the F Sport model boasted bold two-tone leather seating.

The 2022 BMW i4 shared its styling with the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe, featuring an oversized grille and a four-door sedan design with a rear hatch. The i4 was more aerodynamic than its gasoline counterpart, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base model and 0.25 for the M50. BMW achieved this through various aerodynamic tweaks, including a smooth underbody and active grille flaps. The i4's interior balanced Tesla-style minimalism with traditional BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and familiar controls. However, the seats felt flat and lacked bolstering, and the wireless charging pad was too small for larger phones. The i4 offered 10 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3.

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 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph. The ES 350, with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The hybrid ES 300h combined a 176-hp engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a total of 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD was noted for its smooth handling but felt slow compared to its luxury sedan peers.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance with its electric powertrains. The base i4 eDrive40 produced 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The M50 model, with a two-motor powertrain, delivered 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4 handled well, thanks to its low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems. The Dynamic Handling Package enhanced the driving experience, providing a smooth ride and precise steering. The i4's regenerative braking system was effective, though the adaptive recuperation system was less predictable.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered practical advantages over SUVs, with 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space and a pass-through for long items. The second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat, providing additional cargo space. The sedan's lower center of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling and fuel economy compared to the Lexus RX SUV. Inside, the ES featured ample storage, with large bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious glove compartment. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for easy access.

The 2022 BMW i4 had a low seating position despite its battery pack, but the fastback roof limited headroom. The interior felt open, with an efficiently designed center console housing the shift lever, infotainment controller, and storage. However, the seats were flat and lacked bolstering, and the wireless charging pad was too small for larger phones. The i4 offered 10 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. The hatchback design provided a wider opening for loading cargo, but the i4 lacked a front trunk.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. A 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. Upper trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES used a touchpad interface, which was challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was available, along with a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote features.

The 2022 BMW i4 featured the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and SiriusXM. A head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, wireless charging, and 5G connectivity were available. The iDrive system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller, menu shortcut buttons, and effective voice recognition. The touchscreen was largely unnecessary due to the intuitive controls.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings, with 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 pre-collision detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags.

The 2022 BMW i4's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The Parking Assistant Package included a 360-degree camera system, Park Distance Control, and Parking Assistant with Back-Up Assistant.