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BMW 4 Series vs Lexus IS

2026 BMW 4 Series vs 2026 Lexus IS — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW 4 Series

2026 BMW 4 Series

Subcompact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 0BMW 4 Series wins 4 of 4 categories
Lexus IS

2026 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The BMW 4 Series is more fuel-efficient: 31 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,100 a year less in fuel for the BMW 4 Series (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW 4 Series is the bigger car, about 2 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW 4 Series has had fewer recall campaigns (1 vs 15).

The two cars

The 2026 BMW 4 Series is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 188 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,920 lb (430i 2dr Cabriolet).

The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,913 lb.

Buying used? The 2024 4 Series and the 2024 IS have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 IS.

Basics

Subcompact Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

31 MPG
Best combined MPG
22 MPG
28 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
$2,650
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
311 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
187.8 in
Length
185.8 in
72.8 in
Width
72.4 in
54.3 in
Height
56.3 in
3,708 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,913 lb

Safety & reliability

–
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
0
1
Recalls, all years since 2005
15
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

10,935
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,367

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW 4 Series if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (31 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (1 vs 15 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Lexus IS if…

It doesn't clearly beat the BMW 4 Series on any measure we track.

Pros & cons of each

2026 BMW 4 Series

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2026 subcompact car (24 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Lexus IS

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 25% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 BMW 4 Series specs →Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →