Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2021 Lexus LX 570

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 LX 570 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.

The X7’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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 LX 570 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X7 and the LX 570 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 and available around view monitors.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LX 570’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 LX 570 (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.

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 LX 570’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 third among large premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The LX 570 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The X7 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 140 more horsepower (523 vs. 383) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 229 more horsepower (612 vs. 383) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus LX 570:

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the LX 570:

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LX 570 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 LX 570 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the LX 570:

The X7 stops much shorter than the LX 570:

For better traction and acceleration, the X7 has larger standard rear tires than the LX 570 (315/35R22 vs. 275/50R21). The Alpina XB7’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the LX 570 (325/30R23 vs. 285/50R20).

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 LX 570’s standard 50 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 LX 570’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the LX 570. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the LX 570.

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 LX 570 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 LX 570 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X7 Alpina 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LX 570, 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 LX 570.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the LX 570 (122.2 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X7 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LX 570.

The X7 handles at .80 G’s, while the LX 570 pulls only .73 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 LX 570 (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The BMW X7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

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 LX 570 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The rear step up height for the X7 is 3.5 inches lower than the LX 570 (20.5” vs. 24”).

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the LX 570 Two-Row.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The LX 570 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X7’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX 570 is limited to 7000 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the X7 and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X7 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LX 570 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the X7 has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The LX 570 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LX 570 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X7’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LX 570’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 LX 570.

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 LX 570.

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 LX 570.

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 LX 570 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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