Compare the2026 BMW M4VS 2025 Lexus RC F

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 RC F doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The M4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RC F doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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 RC F 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 RC F doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The M4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The RC F only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the M4 and the RC F 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The M4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RC F’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 RC F (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 battery on the M4 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the M4’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RC F’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The M4’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 1 more horsepower (473 vs. 472) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The M4 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (503 vs. 472) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8. The M4 Competition xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (523 vs. 472) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 395) than the RC F’s 5.0 DOHC V8.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the M4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RC F 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 RC F doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The M4 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RC F 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 RC F is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the M4 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RC F:

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 RC F doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M4 stops much shorter than the RC F:

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the RC F (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:255/35R19 & R:275/35R19).

The M4’s optional 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RC F’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M4 offers optional 20-inch rear wheels. The RC F’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M4’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the RC F (112.5 inches vs. 107.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M4 is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the RC F.

The M4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the RC F’s (55% to 45%). This gives the M4 more stable handling and braking.

The M4 Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the RC F pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M4 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the RC F (23.7 seconds @ .9 average G’s vs. 24.9 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

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

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the M4 Coupe is quieter than the RC F (83 vs. 85 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M4 Coupe a Compact car, while the RC F is rated a Subcompact.

The M4 Coupe has 11.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RC F (91 vs. 79.4).

The M4 Coupe has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front hip room, 4.4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 7.4 inches more rear legroom, 6.3 inches more rear hip room and 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the RC F.

The M4 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the RC F (15.5 vs. 10.1 cubic feet).

The M4’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The RC F doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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 RC F doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The M4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RC F doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The M4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RC F’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RC F doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Both the BMW M4 and Lexus RC F offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The M4 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the RC F’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

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 RC F.

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 RC F 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 RC F doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW M4 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lexus RC F isn’t available as a convertible.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Lexus RC by almost 10 to one during 2024.