2021 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Lexus IS: the clash of luxury sedans in the Greater Montreal!

Produced since 1975, the BMW 3 Series is a true veteran among luxury compact sedans. Indeed, it was one of the first to popularize, alongside the Mercedes 190 in the 1980s, the concept of a high-performance luxury car, notably with the unforgettable M3 E30. Today, this car is still synonymous with premium sedan when you think of a luxury car with a sporty feel. Faced with the latter, many people think that the much younger Lexus IS, only in production since 1998, cannot compete with the Bavarian vehicle in terms of luxury and performance. But who says true value needs the test of time? Certainly not Lexus, which demonstrated as soon as its sedan got out that you don't have to be an old and reputable German brand to offer a vehicle with equivalent performance. And for the 2021 model year, the IS, freshly redesigned, even allows itself to hammer the nail in with an unprecedented level of refinement that will allow it to take the crown from the BMW as the high-end sedan benchmark. Spinelli Lexus Lachine, your Lexus dealer of choice in the Greater Montreal area, tells you why you should choose the IS and not the 3 Series in this exciting BMW 3 Series vs. Lexus IS match!

An uncomplicated, sporty design for the IS to oppose the conservatism of the 2021 Series 3 in Laval!

First of all, the exterior styling, which will be your first point of contact with the BMW sedan, just like with the Lexus IS. On this point, the interpretations of what a premium compact sedan should be are very different. While the 2021 BMW 3 Series hesitates between curved lines and sharp angles for its headlights and grille, the 2021 Lexus IS is not only more homogenous, but also sharper in its lines. Chiseled headlamps, a large grille occupying most of the front fascia, ultra-sculpted flanks and a very expressive light-bar across the rear: in this new version, the Lexus sedan will command even more respect than all previous generations of its lineage from the West Island to the North Shore!

What's more, if you also take into account that the sedan has gained 30 mm in both length and width, and that you can choose your wheels from a wide selection of stunning wheels ranging from 18 to 19 inches, you'll have one of the most expressive and athletic lines available in the Greater Montreal area with the new 2021 IS. So one thing is clear, if you want ultra-dynamic, sporty exterior styling for your future premium sedan, the 2021 Lexus IS is THE best sedan over the BMW.

Noble as well as capable engines for the Lexus sedan that have the edge in Montreal.

For all that, a high-end sedan is judged primarily by the performance of the engine block that powers it, not by its exterior design. And in this regard, neither of the two premium sedans will perform badly when they hit the roads of the metropolitan region. But first of all, remember that few reliable official details are available about the BMW in Canada for 2021. However, if we refer to those provided by the prestigious Car and Driver magazine for this model year, which should be similar for our market, we quickly realize that with an equivalent engine, it's the 2021 Lexus IS that seems to be winning the race.

While the 330 xDrive version of the 2021 Series 3 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 255 hp via all-wheel drive, the 2021 IS plays at a higher level. In the 2021 IS 300 version with all-wheel drive, the Lexus sedan offers not only more mechanical nobility but also more power via the well-known 3.5-litre V6 engine with 260 hp. In addition to being extremely flexible with its 236 lb-ft of maximum torque, it has a much more melodious tone of voice than the engine powering the BMW in the aforementioned configuration. And if that's not enough for you, you'll be able to fall back on the super-powerful 2021 IS 350, the 3.5-litre, V6 engine of which offers not only 311 hp but also an even more comfortable torque value (280 lb-ft!).

But if you prefer it when the rear wheels propel you, don't worry: the manufacturer also allows you to choose the sporty Lexus from the range, the very dynamic IS 300 with rear-wheel drive, whose 241-hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is a pure marvel to drive!

A classic interior where calm and luxury reign supreme from Laval to Montreal’s West Island!

As we just saw, the Lexus sedan won the first two rounds of this BMW 3 Series vs. Lexus IS battle. But those rounds wouldn't count for anything if the IS didn't offer an interior where you're immersed in luxury and technology. And on this last chapter, the original Japanese premium sedan is in line with what you can expect from Lexus in the greater Montreal region, including the West Island, starting with the design. Indeed, here, unlike the exterior, Lexus wanted to offer more classic lines, so you can concentrate on driving, including a conservative dashboard with round air vents at both ends, and an analog clock in the middle. This interior exudes a rarely-felt sense of calm, at every level of the range.

To complete this flawless package, the 2021 IS offers the best of Lexus technology, depending on the model considered. From an infotainment system with 10.3-inch display, to the integration of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto interfaces for your smartphone, including an incredible sound system with 17 speakers providing a total of 1,800 watts of power, the 2021 IS has everything you need to make your travels in the metropolitan area more enjoyable!

So come visit us as soon as today at Spinelli Lexus Lachine, your Lexus dealer of choice in the Greater Montreal area, to discover all the advantages of the 2021 Lexus IS in the West Island over the 2021 BMW 3 Series! Once on location, you will also be able to see the different Lexus offers and the leasing and financing programs which will allow you to get behind the wheel of YOUR own Lexus sedan. See you soon at the dealership!