Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Lexus RX

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

Safety

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The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 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 RX 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.

Both the X5 and the RX 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, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X5	RX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Stress	308 lbs.	412 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	35%	40.1%
Neck Stress	220 lbs.	267 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X5	RX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	165
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	584 lbs.	594 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	44 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 44 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (335 vs. 295) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 268) than the RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The X5 40i’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (335 vs. 308) than the RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 215 more horsepower (523 vs. 308) than the RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus RX:

	X5	RX 350	RX 450h
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	6.8 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	15.1 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.5 MPH	92.7 MPH	94.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive40i gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD (21 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the X5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (M50i only). Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RX 450h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The X5 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 19.2 gallons).

Transmission

The X5’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 RX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

	X5 xDrive40i	X5 M Sport	RX
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	13.3 inches

The X5 stops shorter than the RX:

	X5	RX
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the RX (265/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 65 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RX. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RX.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M50i offers 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 RX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i 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 RX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the RX (117.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RX.

The X5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the RX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the X5 more stable handling and braking.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the RX 350 F Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the RX 450h (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the RX 350 F Sport AWD:

	X5	RX
At idle	39 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	64 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RX can only carry 5.

The X5 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 16 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The RX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RX, the X5 M50i has a 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RX.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the RX is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X5 is less expensive to operate than the RX because typical repairs cost much less on the X5 than the RX, including $386 less for a water pump, $37 less for a starter, $186 less for a timing belt/chain and $28 less for a power steering pump.

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