If you’re shopping for a luxury sedan, you have several options, including the Lexus ES and BMW 5 Series. Both are made with high-end materials to create a comfortable and convenient ride for drivers and passengers alike. They have also earned top safety marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, making them excellent options. Our Lexus of Stevens Creek team invites you to explore the Lexus ES vs. the BMW 5 Series to determine which luxury sedan wins a spot in your garage.
Trims and Style
Lexus offers the 2024 ES in three primary versions: ES 250, ES 350, and ES 300h. Each of these is then offered in various styles—ES, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, F Sport Design, and F Sport Handling—giving you a plethora of choices for the 2024 Lexus ES. Standard exterior features of the ES include a power moonroof, LED headlights, and 17-inch wheels. A Premium package adds power-folding exterior mirrors and is standard on higher trim levels. Additional features available on higher trims include a rear spoiler, a hands-free power trunk release, a panoramic glass roof, and 18- or 19-inch wheels.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series is also sold in three primary trims: 530i, 530i xDrive, and 540i xDrive. You will also find the plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive. The 5 Series has a standard sunroof, LED headlights, and 19-inch wheels. The Premium package offers full LED headlights with cornering lights, while the Executive package features a panoramic glass roof. The M Sport package has blacked-out exterior trim for a unique appearance.
While the standard features of these luxury vehicles are similar, Lexus offers more trims and styles, giving you more options regarding specs and features.
Powerful Performance
You’ll discover three engines offered for the 2024 Lexus ES, each specific to the model you select. The ES 250 features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Under the hood of the ES 350, you’ll find a 3.5-liter V-6 with 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Each engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifting. The hybrid ES 300h has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a hybrid system for a total output of 215 horsepower. The 300h has a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the Lexus ES 350 and 300h, while the 250 has an all-wheel-drive system for better traction and control. The ES 350 earns an EPA rating of 26 mpg for combined driving, keeping you on the road longer between fill-ups.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series also offers various engines based on the trim level you select. The 530i has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. For the 540i xDrive, you get a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that delivers 375 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque.
The 550e xDrive features a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with an electric motor, which produces a combined 483 horsepower. The 530i has standard rear-wheel drive, while all xDrive models have a standard all-wheel-drive system. The 2024 BMW 530i has an EPA rating of 27 mpg for combined driving, saving you time and money.
Whether you opt for a traditional gas-powered engine or the hybrid offerings from Lexus and BMW, you’re guaranteed a robust performance with decent fuel efficiency. Lexus’ hybrid features a quiet ride and higher efficiency without having to find a charger, and the ES 350 gives you the power of a V-6 engine at a much lower price than the BMW 5 Series.
Luxurious Interior
Slide behind the wheel of the 2024 Lexus ES to discover a cabin created with high-quality materials for a luxurious driving experience. The ES features dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-speaker sound system, and an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium package adds:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Interior wood trim
- Driver’s seat memory functions
- Power-adjustable and heated steering wheel
- Wireless phone charging
Elements from the Premium package are found in higher trims, along with leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a navigation system, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen.
When you enter the 2024 BMW 5 Series, you discover an interior boasting high-end materials and features designed for the comfort of everyone. Standard offerings include synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, wireless charging, and a 14.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Various packages allow you to add features such as:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated rear seats
While both luxury sedans offer similar features inside the cabin, the 2024 Lexus ES 350 offers more legroom in the front and rear seats. The ES 350 has 42.4 inches in the front row and 39.2 inches in the rear seat, while the BMW 530i offers 41.3 inches in the front seat and 36.5 inches in the rear.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing
The most significant difference between these luxury sedans is the manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing (MSRP). Here’s what you can expect to pay for the 2024 Lexus ES and BMW 5 Series based on trim levels, according to Edmunds:
- Lexus ES 250 AWD: $43,190 to $52,080.
- Lexus ES 350: $43,190 to $52,080.
- Lexus ES 300h: $44,590 to $53,480.
- BMW 530i: $58,895.
- BMW 540i xDrive: $61,195.
- BMW 550e xDrive: $65,895.
The Lexus ES offers the same styling features, powerful performance, and luxurious interior detailing for almost $15,000 less than a comparable BMW 5 Series, making it an easy choice.
Visit Lexus of Stevens Creek
When you’re ready to take the Lexus ES for a test drive, visit our knowledgeable team at Lexus of Stevens Creek. Find us at 3333 Stevens Creek Blvd. in San Jose, California, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Call us at 408-878-4112 or complete our secure online form to get started. One trip around the block in the latest Lexus ES will be all it takes to convince you that this luxury sedan deserves a spot in your garage.


