Compare the2026 BMW 5 SeriesVS 2026 Lexus LS

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 5 Series are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The LS doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the 5 Series and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The 5 Series’ corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LS (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 5 Series’ warranty.

The 550e xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (483 vs. 416) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the 540i xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus LS:

On the EPA test cycle the 550e xDrive running on electricity gets better mileage than the LS 500 AWD (65 city/73 hwy MPGe vs. 17 city/27 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the LS:

The 550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The LS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the 5 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 5 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 LS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 5 Series uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LS requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 5 Series higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Lexus LS (4). This means the 5 Series produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LS every 15,000 miles.

The 5 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 LS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 540i xDrive’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

The 5 Series stops much shorter than the LS:

The 5 Series’ optional 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 5 Series offers optional 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The 5 Series offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the LS; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The 530i xDrive handles at .95 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The BMW 5 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 850 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The 5 Series is 6.9 inches shorter than the LS, making the 5 Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 5 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 LS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 5 Series has 2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 5 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The 5 Series has a much larger trunk than the LS (18.4 vs. 17 cubic feet).

The 5 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the 5 Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The 5 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The 5 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The LS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 5 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Lexus LS by over seven to one during 2024.