Compare the2026 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2026 Lexus LC

The 8 Series’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 8 Series offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The LC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 8 Series offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the 8 Series and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LC’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LC (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series’ warranty.

The M850i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 52 more horsepower (523 vs. 471) and 155 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 398) than the LC’s 5.0 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Lexus LC:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series gets better mileage than the LC Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 8 Series’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

All wheel drive, available in the 8 Series, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lexus LC is not available with all wheel drive.

The 8 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LC doesn’t offer launch control.

The 8 Series stops shorter than the LC:

The 8 Series’ standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The 8 Series’ optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The LC doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LC.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the LC pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the LC (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

The BMW 8 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

The design of the BMW 8 Series amounts to more than styling. The 8 Series offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .31 to .33 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the LC (.33 to .34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 8 Series get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the 8 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 8 Series Convertible a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The 8 Series Coupe has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 6.3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 3 inches more rear hip room than the LC.

The 8 Series Convertible has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 6.2 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.8 inches more rear hip room than the LC Convertible.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (14.8 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (12.4 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

The 8 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 8 Series’ power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LC doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the LC, the 8 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Laser headlights, standard on the 8 Series, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the LC’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 8 Series’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the 8 Series is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the LC.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the 8 Series has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 8 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Lexus LC isn’t available as a sedan.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Lexus LC by over three to one during 2024.