Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2021 Lexus GX460

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X7 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX460 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.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X7 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX460 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X7 and the GX460 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Warranty

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the GX460’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX460 (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 X7’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X7’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX460’s camshafts. If the GX460’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GX460’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The X7 xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The X7 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 222 more horsepower (523 vs. 301) and 224 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 311 more horsepower (612 vs. 301) and 261 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX460:

	X7	GX460
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.8 MPH	89.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the GX460:

			MPG
X7
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
		M50i 4.4 turbo V8	15 city/21 hwy
		Alpina XB7 4.4 turbo V8	15 city/21 hwy
GX460
		4.6 DOHC V8	15 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX460 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the X7’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 GX460 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X7, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX460.

The X7’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 GX460 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX460:

	X7 xDrive40i	X7 M Sport	GX460
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	12.3 inches

The X7 stops much shorter than the GX460:

	X7	GX460
70 to 0 MPH	169 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the GX460 (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 265/60R18). The Alpina XB7’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX460 (F:285/35R23 & R:325/30R23 vs. 265/60R18).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX460’s standard 60 series tires. The Alpina XB7’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the GX460’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX460. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX460.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GX460 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X7 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX460 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the GX460, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Alpina XB7 offers an available adjustable 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 GX460.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 12.4 inches longer than on the GX460 (122.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X7 is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX460.

The X7 handles at .80 G’s, while the GX460 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the GX460 (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X7 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX460 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X7 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the X7’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX460 uses body-on-frame design instead.

The front grille of the X7 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GX460 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X7 has 3.9 inches more front headroom, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom and 4 inches more third row legroom than the GX460.

The front step up height for the X7 is 1.7 inches lower than the GX460 (20” vs. 21.7”). The X7’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the GX460’s (20.5” vs. 22”).

Cargo Capacity

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX460.

	X7	GX460
Behind Third Seat	12.8 cubic feet	11.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.6 cubic feet	46.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	90.4 cubic feet	64.7 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X7 easier. The X7’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 32.5 inches, while the GX460’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The X7’s cargo area is larger than the GX460’s in almost every dimension:

	X7	GX460
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	18.5”/45”/81.5”	9.8”/39”/75”
Max Width	48”	54.6”
Min Width	43.5”	43.4”
Height	32”	35.5”

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GX460 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X7’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX460 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX460 is limited to 6500 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX460, the X7 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7 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 GX460 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X7’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX460’s parking brake has to released manually.

The X7’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 GX460’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X7’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX460’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The X7’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX460’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the GX460.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GX460.

The X7 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX460.

The X7’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GX460 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X7 and the Lexus GX460, based on reliability, safety and performance.