As some of you might know, my wife and I have an unusual garage, since we both have the same class of vehicle. We have a 2021 BMW 330i with the M Sport package and a 2021 Lexus IS 350 F Sport. Both are RWD and have similar levels of performance and price - in fact, they are separated by only about $1000 in terms of MSRP, with the Lexus coming in at a slightly higher price. As we've owned the BMW for over 2 months and the IS around 6 weeks, I wanted to sort of vent my opinions on these two cars. Having them long-term at the same time and doing mostly the same, real-life activities in each car is something I think most journalists could not achieve easily, so I thought someone would appreciate me sharing the perspective.




First off, if you want to know all the specs, measurements, and equipment of these cars, I've gotten a little obsessed with those myself and compiled a spreadsheet with as much information as I could easily find. Take a look at it if you want a deep-dive of just what equipment and specs each one has:here.
I think that perhaps the most productive way to go about this is simply to sum up the cars and then answer questions, since I could be here for months trying to explain everything. So, please feel free to ask if there's something I can comment on further.

Exterior Style
The first thing these cars should do, and do well, is make the driver feel like they bought something special when said driver walks up to each car. After all, these aren't exactly your 80-month finance specials from the slightly sketchy dealer by the interstate highway. I'd say they each do it in their own ways, with similar levels of effectiveness.







From most angles, the BMW is the more conservatively-styled car, even if, in its latest version, it has more going on than in prior models. The side profile is more subtle, with no hard creases, except for the lower part of the doors. Even the side sill extension is body-colored and not nearly as sharp or exaggerated as the one on the IS. The proportions, too, are more pure on the BMW, with shorter overhangs. It's a more to-the-point design and looks more distinctly-rear-wheel-drive than the IS. However, I think the IS is a more recognizable design from just about any angle. Now that Lexus has finally given the IS properly-sized wheels and tires, the proportions work quite well. The subtle slope of the rear window combined with the character line running from the side skirt up and over the rear wheel arch creates a sense of motion. Sadly, it's not as cohesive a design as the BMW, but where the BMW succeeds when I zoom out, the IS succeeds when I zoom in. The details are what make the IS work.
This carries over into the front and rear of each car as well. The BMW seems to be designed with nothing extra provided, right down to the simple and smooth rear bumper design. This stands in contrast to the faux-diffuser on the IS. However, the front and rear on the IS are certainly more interesting than they are on the BMW, and they stop just short of being "busy". In fact, I'd say the front bumper of the M-Sport version of the 3-series is a little bit too busy. However, it's still far better suited to this car than the base 3-series front bumper.





Portimao Blue is a stunning color, so hats off to whoever chose that over at BMW. Iridium is more subtle, and I think it works well with the F-Sport trim in particular. I would've considered a Grecian Water or Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 IS if only my wife didn't already have a blue car.

Interior and Tech

The two cars differ as much on the inside as outside. The BMW has an open and airy cabin, with plenty of headroom and a fairly low dash. It feels very roomy, even for rear seat passengers. The leather seats have adjustable bolsters and sit decently low in the car, though not low enough to make ingress and egress a bother. Overall, it's conservatively and practically styled.



The IS, on the other hand, seems very inspired in its design. It instantly feels tighter inside, thanks to a higher dash and less shoulder space. The center console also rises a bit higher, and the seats generally feel a bit lower in the car. The IS lacks real leather outside of the gear selector and steering wheel, but the NuLuxe honestly feels softer than the BMW's upholstery and is not too different from the real thing. The IS takes a lot of inspiration from the LFA in its dashboard layout, and it works.



In terms of infotainment, both cars have similar capabilities. So I'll skip straight to my overall opinions, since, on the day-to-day, I don't really find many issues with either. I just plug into Android Auto and go, 95% of the time. So, the iDrive system definitely is less distracting to use overall. It takes less hand-eye coordination to rotate a **** and click it in a direction than it does to use the Lexus Remote Touch Interface. However, sometimes the menu structure can get deep. Something as simple as pulling up the Sport Displays takes a few steps. However, I appreciate the sheer amount of stuff iDrive can do. It can even energize you with a weird selection of music and air conditioning programming. Seriously, I thought I broke the car the first time I used it, since the A/C went off the rails with fast and slow fan speeds alternating. The ambient lighting, too, provides yet more unnecessary, but undoubtedly cool entertainment.

Lexus's system, on the other hand, is more bare bones. It has what you need, and little else. There are some nice touches, however, like an interactive owner's manual within the infotainment. You heard right... You can feel free to engage in weight reduction and remove the bowling-ball-heavy owner's manual from the car, resting assured you have a digital version inside - that is, assuming your battery doesn't die. Having said all that, I still enjoy the navigation in the Lexus a bit more than the BMW. In the Lexus, I get helpful preview images of upcoming exits, with shockingly-accurate rendered depictions of the exits and surrounding road, including signs. What's more, I have had zero issues with directions in the Lexus, where the BMW sometimes gets confused as to the exact location of a business, especially in shopping centers.

All in all, I find the BMW is the more approachable system, but either way, I use Android Auto most of the time. Android Auto is just a touch nicer in the Lexus, since the larger screen allows displaying two apps at once. However, the BMW has wireless connectivity, which does make things slightly easier, even if it drains my battery more quickly.

I suppose I should also quickly comment on the sound systems. It's not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as the IS has the Mark Levinson audio system, while the BMW has the base audio available (partly explaining the Lexus's slightly higher price). The base system in the BMW is actually one of the better systems I've experienced in cars. It has good bass response and reasonable clarity, and it doesn't get noticeably distorted at higher volumes (until it gets really loud). The Mark Levinson system is obviously still the better system. The clarity between different tones, even in the midrange, is phenomenal, and there's a lot of bass response that can be dialed-in with no detriment to sound quality. I find myself turning the volume up a lot more in the Lexus, since I can often hear things that are simply inaudible in other cars' systems.

Driving

I'm sure most of you are most curious how these stack up dynamically. If you want to know which one is quicker 0-60, that's easily the 330i. Thanks to its turbocharged low-end torque, it surges off the line. From basically any speed, I can plant my right foot and get near-instant torquey pull, especially in Sport mode. The engine's prodigious mid-range combined with the ZF 8-speed transmission's perfect programming make this car almost telegraphic in how it moves in accordance with my right foot. This means both driving in mundane situations as well as on back roads are equally drama-free - no more "Where's my downshift?" or, "Where's the power?" It is always available. Sadly, the acceleration can seem a bit undramatic at full throttle, since the engine's power seems to fade away after about 6000 RPM or so. In truth, it makes peak power at 6500 RPM, but I wouldn't have guessed it.

Steering is, as you might expect, something that needs getting-used-to. The steering wheel is thick, and it feels satisfying in hand, but the helm filters out a lot of road information. It feels decidedly heavy on-center, but it is also weirdly quick to turn. It seems like the tuning of this variable-ratio steering is the antithesis to my former GTI - light and slow on-center, but quick and weighty after about 20 degrees of input. Having said that, the fast steering makes both sporty driving and relaxed driving easier, as less input is needed. Brakes, too, are very quick to respond, if to their own detriment. It's oddly difficult to bring the 330i to a smooth stop, as the brakes seem over-boosted and hard to modulate. It can be done, after weeks of practice - weeks, mind you. But, again, they work extremely well especially in a "fun" driving scenario.

The Lexus is tuned as a polar opposite to the BMW in many ways. First off, the "Normal" drive mode should have probably been named "Comfort" or perhaps, in Tesla fashion, "Chill". The engine and transmission are happy to get you up to speed off the line, but want nothing to do with your fun afterward unless you slip them a few dollars through the A/C vents. Fortunately, this makes driving casually with passengers a very relaxing experience. Nothing jerks or snaps - it's all very smooth. The engine isn't totally lifeless at lower RPMs, but I certainly notice the build-up of power over the RPM range. The engine seems to breathe better as it revs higher, and power does not fade in the slightest at higher RPMs. The trade-off is, of course, the need to downshift much more often should I find myself making moves in traffic.

The Lexus's steering and braking are similarly anti-BMW. The steering has a decently-quick speed to it, but it's nothing you wouldn't find in a number of mainstream family sedans today. It is slower to respond than the GLI I recently traded, and feels night-and-day slower compared with the BMW. However, the steering wheel is a Goldilocks-size for sporty driving, and it features perforated leather on the sides. Braking, too, is more progressive than in the BMW, and it is equally capable on a back road in this regard. It seems that having a touchy brake pedal does not make for a great braking system, necessarily.

The cars ride totally differently, too. The BMW is damped rather firmly, and never allows me to forget I went for an M Sport. Body roll exists, should I go looking for it, but it does not seem to hinder turn-in. The Lexus is much the same story, but it is far less firmly-sprung than the BMW. Lexus's chassis revisions undoubtedly paid off, as the IS seems totally unbothered by broken pavement. It may also help that Lexus has fitted traditional, non-run-flat tires to the IS, unlike the 330i. Oddly enough, road noise is louder in the Lexus than in the BMW, which would seem to betray the overall more relaxed ride of the IS. I suspect a change to a different tire would remedy the issue, as Bridgestones are known for being somewhat noisy lately.

On a back road, I think the comparisons are quite tricky. For one thing, the 330i wears Pirelli all-season run-flat tires, but the IS has Bridgestone summer tires. The summer tires give the IS an admittedly surprising level of composure, but the BMW loses grip much more easily. That said, the low-grip tires make it easier to, as Joe Raiti would say, "square off the turn" using the rear of the car. The BMW's dynamic traction mode is a hoot to play with. It lets the rear step out without allowing too much of a good thing. The IS's traction control, however, is much more simple in its operation - "I see wheel spin, I shut the party down". It must be turned off to have any fun, and with 265-width rear tires, it is actually a challenge to go chasing oversteer. The trade-off of this is confidence. I always liked my 2016 IS 300's sense of composure on a back road, but on the other hand, this 2021 IS 350 feels like it's not even trying when going at similar speeds as the BMW. The tires definitely play a role in this, but I think it's also the suspension. While the BMW is sharp, darty, and a little bumpy on imperfect roads, the Lexus is progressive, precise, and smooth. I'll echo what Matt Farah said about the original 3IS - "It gets better and better the harder you drive it", whereas the 330i is enjoyable to drive pretty much all the time.

To sum up the driving portion: The 330i is fun, and the IS 350 is rewarding.

Conclusions

If you were cross-shopping these cars, I'll admit it would be hard to choose the IS 350 based on initial impressions. The spec sheets and the test drive will likely favor the BMW. It has such a wow factor of how modern the interior feels, the quiet yet responsive ride and handling, and the smooth and effortless power delivery. It's the obvious choice. Even as a Lexus fan, of sorts, I had my initial doubts about the IS. However, after living with it daily for almost two months, I can say it is the car I would gravitate to on an average day. It rides better, has more comfortable seats, and is the more relaxing drive for everyday tasks. On back roads it's a bit of a hard comparison. These cars just drive so differently, and they are fun for different reasons. The BMW feels more on-edge and is a little more exciting to drive, but it also feels a bit more dangerous than the IS 350, which could be good or bad depending on what you are looking for. The IS 350 sounds better and has a more raw feeling to it thanks to natural aspiration, even if the power is not as impressive, while retaining a level of comfort and ease of driving even in the twisty bits. Overall, I have to say these cars make me wish dealers let us keep cars for test drives for a little longer. There's a lot here that you just wouldn't know in a 20-minute spin around the block, and both cars revealed a lot to me only after weeks of driving. I suppose that's part of the fun of car ownership.

 

What a great write-up! I enjoyed reading it and your thoughts align with what I expected.

To me personally, If I were leasing and/or getting a new car every few years, with no plans to keep a vehicle long term, I'd likely go with BMW.

But I like to keep my cars for a long time and in that instance I feel Lexus will win in the longevity, reliability, and overall maintenance costs.

 

Amazing write up!
I'm a Lexus fan obviously but I owned a previous gen 428i which I really liked as well.
That said, I really dislike the new body styles of the 3 and 4 series. Interior is very cool, but the exterior is no deal for me.

 

Excellent write up! It was a great unbiased post to ready for anyone cross shopping between both cars. I assume the rear seat legroom and space is much tighter on the IS than the 330i?

 

Thank you!

Yes, the rear seats in the 330i are a good bit bigger. My six foot tall friend fits back there just fine. It's definitely something to think about if you are having people in the back seat often.

 

Nice. I almost went for the 330i M Sport before going back to Lexus and leasing the new 2021. However, my wife just got a 2021 BMW X1 from a UX and she loves it. It's fun to drive. But love the comparison, probably the best one I've read between the two.

 

Thanks for the in-depth comparison! How is the Lexus Safety System 2.5? My dad's 2020 Sonata has great lane keep and lane centering. I'm wondering how that compares to Lexus's 2.5 system..

 

Lexus cars hold their value. BMW does not. That's all that matters.

 

To you. Let people enjoy what they want.

Nice write up. Both are fun cars, hope yall enjoy them.

 

Great writeup. Enjoyed reading it! I actually cross shopped these two cars (landed on the '21 IS300 AWD F-SPORT - I'm in Canada) and actually really enjoyed the 330. In the end the IS just felt like it meshed with me immediately while I kind of felt like a passenger in the BMW, at least for the test drive. Might have had a different opinion after a few weeks as you alluded to, although the IS is one of the first cars in a long time that when I'm walking away from it, I look back to catch another glimpse - which says a lot.

Definitely go ahead and switch out those tires on your IS. I drove about 500Kms on the stock Bridgestones and immediately switched them out for a set of Continental ExtremeContact Sport in OEM 235/265 sizes. World of difference. Stiffer sidewall for sure and you get back a little of the steering feel in the process, but the grip level is night and day without sacrificing too much refinement.

 

Great! I had forgotten that Canada can still get the IS 300 AWD with F Sport - not possible here in the US anymore!

I would imagine the AWD model, especially in Canada does not have the summer tires, right? I honestly think these Bridgestone Potenza S001L tires are quite decent and not a joke of a tire like the all-seasons on the 2016 IS I had previously owned. However, I will say the Continentals are top of my list for replacing these when they start to wear. They are pretty much the cheapest premium summer tire you can get for the IS F Sport right now, and I see the ExtremeContact Sport often on sporty cars at car meets and such.

By the way, I also agree about the whole "meshing with the car" bit. The 330i feels a bit unnatural at first due to how immediate everything is. It can be fun to drive, but it's also more difficult to drive it smoothly. I think that overall the BMW is more entertaining to drive, but it can feel a bit sterile at times, too, while the IS has some soul to it. Maybe that's mostly due to the engine.

 

I didn't talk about this! Thanks for asking.

Well I have not made extensive use of the system to be honest, but I will say this. The IS's lane keep (LTA or "Lane trace assist", as it is called in the infotainment) is actually one of my favorite lane keeping systems. I barely notice it working most of the time. It is very gradual and gentle with its steering inputs. The radar cruise works well, too. It will even speed up pre-emptively if I am going to pass a slower car, by accelerating as soon as I turn the indicator on. I haven't ever seen the pre-collision system activate, so I can't really comment on that other than saying I haven't had any close calls. So, perhaps it makes sense that I have not been aware of it. I do think it's a bit strange that I have to press the lane-keep button every time I get in the car, but then again, on the BMW it can be annoying to have it enabled on back roads or city streets. In fact, the system in the BMW is more intrusive in general, even in its "Reduced" mode. It's not all bad, but I guarantee you will either want to turn it off or switch to Reduced after the first drive.

Other than that, the Lexus does have blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. I am relieved to be back in a car with those. My previous VWs did not have rear cross traffic in particular, which made backing out of parking spaces a little more scary especially when parked next to a taller vehicle. But yeah I think Lexus has a very good safety/assistance package here.

 

Had Lexus for years. Crossed to the dark side with the m340.

its what Lexus fan boys already know. Lexus plays catch up with the euros. Euros are superior in nearly every aspect but value. After having the m340, its far more superior then i thought. I was wondering why would anyone want a bmw besides it’s performance and driving feel. Now I know bmws market.

On the other hand, Lexus has never left me stranded. BMW has and it was no fault of my own. I been to the bmw dealer way more often then I had with Lexus. Lexus dealers are much better in terms of comfort and guest services. I hate going to a bmw dealership after being spoiled by Lexus for years. But there is no substitution of the ultimate driving machine and that’s just the price I had to pay.

I am a young adult with no kids and absolutely enjoy my driving time, wearing my tires, brakes, burning gas like no tomorrow. When I am older, I would definitely pick Lexus for my family all day long. As I become an old fart with a family, I could care less about the firm ride, technology, and so on. Definitely would rather have a car that a better value and won’t leave me stranded or wasting time at the dealership. This is why the average age of a Lexus driver is 60 and their RX is their bread and butter.

 

I think RELIABILITY is something that could only be told after a few years.

 

Outstanding review!