Compare the2026 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2026 Lexus LS

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LS (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 8 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

The M850i Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 107 more horsepower (523 vs. 416) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 196 more horsepower (612 vs. 416) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Lexus LS:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the LS:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 LS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 LS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the LS (275/35R19 vs. 245/45R20). The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the LS (285/30R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 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 LS’ standard 45 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LS’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe has standard 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The LS doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LS.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is 5.8 inches shorter than the LS, making the 8 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (100 vs. 97.6).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more rear headroom and 2.1 inches more rear hip room than the LS.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Laser headlights, standard on the 8 Series Gran Coupe, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the LS’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the 8 Series Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Lexus LS isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The LS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Lexus LS by over two to one during 2024.