BMW 2 Series vs Lexus ES
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Lexus ES: we're still completing kerb weight, torque, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$61,800RRP
- with the Lexus ES's standard kit: at least $61,800 (1 option priced only inside packages)
1 added option
- Panoramic Roof: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
$75,000RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 2 Series starts from $61,800 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $75,000. That makes the BMW 2 Series the more affordable entry point by $13,200.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $67,980 and $82,500 respectively.
Matching the Lexus ES's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the BMW 2 Series, and one is priced only inside a package whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus ES by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Lexus ES. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
BMW 2 Series
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
Lexus ES
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
- REC-005366 · published 31 Jul 2019Some brake booster pumps may be manufactured improperly, and may cause the brake assist function to stop operating while driving.Year range on the notice: 2019
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 2 Series features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus ES gets a 14-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 2 Series stands out with head-up display, wireless charging and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES counters with panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 2 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Lexus ES offers nulux (synthetic leather).
Drivetrain
The BMW 2 Series uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds.
The Lexus ES responds with a Petrol making 144kW, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.
The Lexus ES has the clear power advantage at 144kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 2 Series measures 4,546mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 599mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 5,145mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 360L in the BMW 2 Series and 493L in the Lexus ES, giving the Lexus ES a 133L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m diameter
Average
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.5 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,796/year for the BMW 2 Series and $1,283/year for the Lexus ES. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Lexus ES.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 2 Series) vs 5 years (Lexus ES). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 2 Series if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Lexus ES: Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 71, but the BMW 2 Series is $13,200 cheaper
The Lexus ES comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (73 vs 71), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Lexus ES ahead by 16), safety (BMW 2 Series ahead by 11), technology (Lexus ES ahead by 9). The Lexus ES will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lexus ES has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 2 Series and Lexus ES?
The BMW 2 Series is the cheapest at $61,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $13,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW 2 Series holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We hold no ANCAP data for Lexus ES, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 493L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 2 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus ES makes the most power at 144kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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