Compare the2026 BMW M4VS 2026 Lexus LC

The M4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the M4 are reminded to check the back seat. The LC doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The M4’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M4 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The LC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M4 Competition xDrive has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the M4 and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LC’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LC (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M4’s warranty.

The M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 2 more horsepower (473 vs. 471) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 398) than the LC’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (503 vs. 471) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 398) than the LC’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The M4 Competition xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 52 more horsepower (523 vs. 471) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 398) than the LC’s 5.0 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the M4 Competition xDrive is faster than the Lexus LC (automatics tested):

Regenerative brakes improve the M4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LC doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the M4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LC doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The LC doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

All wheel drive, available in the M4, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lexus LC is not available with all wheel drive.

The M4 Competition’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LC doesn’t offer launch control.

The M4 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The LC doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M4 stops much shorter than the LC:

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the LC (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The M4’s standard 275/40R18 front and 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The M4’s optional 275/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The BMW M4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The LC doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M4 Coupe a Compact car, while the LC Coupe is rated a Subcompact. The EPA rates the M4 Convertible a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The M4 Coupe has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC (91 vs. 85.9). The M4 Convertible has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (84 vs. 75.2).

The M4 Coupe has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 10.4 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC.

The M4 Convertible has 3.9 inches more front headroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more rear headroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom and 3.3 inches more rear hip room than the LC Convertible.

The M4 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (15.5 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

The M4 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (10.6 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

The M4’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the M4 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The LC doesn’t offer a power trunk.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the M4 Convertible has a standard remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the M4 Convertible has a standard remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The LC doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The M4’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the M4 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The M4 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the LC.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the M4 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The M4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Lexus LC by almost 31 to one during 2025.