BMW 7 Series vs Lexus LS
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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 28 Aug 2026, price 4 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker 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.
$279,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$199,850RRP
- 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 7 Series starts from $279,900 before on-road costs, while the Lexus LS opens at $199,850. That makes the Lexus LS the more affordable entry point by $80,050.
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 $307,890 and $219,835 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW 7 Series by roughly $2,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW 7 Series
- REC-006556 · published 6 Mar 2026The air conditioning (A/C) wiring harness may become damaged during routine microfilter (cabin air filter) replacement.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 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 - 2023
- 7 more on the model page.
Lexus LS
- REC-006391 · published 22 Jul 2025Due to a software programming issue, a memory device in the Combination Meter may deteriorate over time.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2025
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
- REC-003585 · published 21 Oct 2014There is a possibility that the sealing property of the gasket between the fuel pressure sensor and the fuel delivery pipe could become degraded over time and may result in a fuel leak.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
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 7 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus LS gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW 7 Series stands out with panoramic roof and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus LS. The Lexus LS counters with Mark Levinson audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 7 Series gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Lexus LS offers leather accented.
Drivetrain
The BMW 7 Series uses a Petrol producing 280kW and 540Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4 seconds.
The Lexus LS responds with a 3.4L V6 Twin-Turbo Petrol making 310kW and 600Nm, paired to a 10-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5 seconds.
The Lexus LS has the clear power advantage at 310kW vs 280kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus LS is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 7 Series measures 5,391mm long on a 3,215mm wheelbase, 156mm longer than the Lexus LS at 5,235mm (3,125mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 7 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 540L in the BMW 7 Series and 480L in the Lexus LS, giving the BMW 7 Series a 60L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 12.5m
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,252/year for the BMW 7 Series and $2,850/year for the Lexus LS. That is a $598 annual difference in favour of the BMW 7 Series.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 7 Series) vs 5 years (Lexus LS). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 7 Series if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus LS if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW 7 Series: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 61, but the Lexus LS is $80,050 cheaper
The BMW 7 Series comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 61), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (BMW 7 Series ahead by 20), practicality (BMW 7 Series ahead by 11), reliability (Lexus LS ahead by 8). The BMW 7 Series will save you roughly $598 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 7 Series 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 7 Series and Lexus LS?
The Lexus LS is the cheapest at $199,850 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 7 Series by $80,050.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 7 Series uses the least fuel at 7.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 7 Series has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 7 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus LS makes the most power at 310kW. The Lexus LS is quickest to 100km/h in 5s.
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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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