Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Lexus RXL

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 RXL 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 RXL 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 RXL 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 RXL:

	X5	RXL
	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 RXL:

	X5	RXL
	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 RXL is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RXL’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 RXL (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 RXL isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (335 vs. 290) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 263) than the RX 350L’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 450hL’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 450hL’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 RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

	X5	RXL
Zero to 60 MPH	5 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.5 MPH	89.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the RXL:

			MPG
X5
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
RXL
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	18 city/25 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 RXL 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 RXL Hybrid.

The X5 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL 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 RXL’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 RXL doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	X5 xDrive40i	X5 M Sport	RXL
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 RXL:

	X5	RXL
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the RXL (265/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RXL (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 RXL’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 RXL’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 RXL. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RXL.

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 RXL 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 RXL 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 RXL.

The X5 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The RXL’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the RXL (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 RXL.

The X5 xDrive handles at .84 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RXL (8.7 vs. 8.1 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 RXL doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 6.5 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the RXL.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RXL with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 7.5 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RXL with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 58.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the RXL’s liftover is 31.9 inches.

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

Towing

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RXL 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 RXL. 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 RXL, 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.

The X5’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 RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 RXL 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 RXL’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 RXL.

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 RXL 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 RXL 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 RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the X5 than the RXL, 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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