Lexus vs. BMW, Pros and Cons of each including Auto Repair Costs
When it comes to buying a car, you can’t go wrong with luxury automakers BMW and Lexus. Both have stellar records in terms of overall performance and reliability. And both, when properly taken care of, can drive well over 100,000 miles due to their quality engineering and manufacturing. Yet each brand excels in some areas more than others. Here’s an overview comparison of these top brands and some pros and cons of each.
Both BMW and Lexus Vehicles Win on Safety
It’s a tie. Both foreign car models exceed the safety standards put out by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s good to know that with either model you choose, you are driving one of the safest cars on the road today.
Their focus on safety is one reason why BMWs and Lexuses make great family cars. If you look at the nitty-gritty, you will find that the Lexus comes with a few more safety features than BMW (or any other car on the road for that matter). The added rearview camera, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring features may make the Lexus eek out ahead of the BMW by a nose in terms of safety. However, both vehicles are an excellent buy in this area.
BMW Powers ahead over Lexus in Performance Category
As you probably suspected, BMW takes the trophy in this category scoring 9 out of 10 for most of its models. Besides its sports model, the Lexus LC, most of the Lexus models ranked 7 out of 10 for the power and performance category. BMW has historically excelled in this area and continues to do so while Lexus continues to lag behind in terms of horsepower.
The question really is, how important is this for you? For most drivers who use the car simply to get to where they are going and back, the Lexus offers more than sufficient power to do so. For many, the vehicle’s well-known smooth driving engine may compensate for its lack of oomph. For others who can better appreciate the whir of an engine as they accelerate on the highway, the Japan-born Lexus may not satisfy.
Lexus Takes the Runner up Spot in the Style Category
Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the BMW is ranked higher and is largely considered the more stylish vehicle over the Lexus. Both luxury models offer clean lines and a nice design but the BMW just pops and makes you give a second look while the Lexus just kind of sits there.
Toyota manufacturers are too well aware of their car’s reputation for “reliable but boring” and are trying to up their style game. A recent redesign sought to improve its overall appearance and give it more flair. Despite these efforts, most would agree that the BMW is the clear victor over Lexus in the style category.
Again, how important is style to you? A Lexus might not call out to you the way a Beemer does, but as the most reliable car on the road again (as determined by JD Power), you might be willing to forgo a little style for a lot of dependability.
Cost of Lexus and BMW Auto Repair and Maintenance
So we know both cars are luxury brand powerhouses in every major category reviewed by critics but what about cost? The Lexus model will generally cost you less in terms of total cost of ownership, including Lexus auto repair and maintenance. BMW auto repair is one of the more expensive auto repairs of any luxury car on the road (not including high end luxury sports cars.)
Lexus Auto Repair Costs Less. Period.
If you are searching for a budget conscious luxury automobile, the Lexus might be way to go over the BMW. Auto repair for Lexus is one of the least expensive for any vehicle on the road, including domestic automobiles and non-luxury automobiles. In addition, besides its sporty version, the Lexus gets great fuel efficiency and gas mileage. German cars in general were on the high end in terms of auto repair cost while Japanese cars such as Toyota, Scion, Lexus, Honda and Nissan were on the low end of auto repair costs.
Part of what may have earned the Lexus the top spot for reliability is the fact that it’s one of the few cars not listed on the Car Brands Most Likely Not to Start and Unusual Common Car Issues. (BMW had at least one in each of these categories.)
So when choosing between two top performers such as the BMW and Lexus, decide first what is most important to you? If style and power are most important, then the BMW might be the best choice. If reliability and low maintenance and auto repair cost are most important, than the Lexus might be your go to vehicle.
