Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2022 Lexus RX

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The X5 xDrive45e’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 xDrive45e 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5 xDrive45e. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the X5 xDrive45e 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 and available around view monitors.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 906 to 1424 pounds more than the Lexus RX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 xDrive45e is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X5 xDrive45e	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 xDrive45e is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X5 xDrive45e	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 xDrive45e 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 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e 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 xDrive45e’s warranty.

Engine

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (389 vs. 295) and 175 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 268) than the RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 81 more horsepower (389 vs. 308) than the RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive45e running on electricity gets better mileage than the RX:

			MPGe
X5 xDrive45e
	AWD	Electric Motor	47 city/54 hwy
RX
			MPG
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 V6 Hybrid	31 city/28 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

The X5 xDrive45e can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The RX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The X5 xDrive45e has a gallon more fuel capacity than the RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.2 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 xDrive45e higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus RX (5 to 7). This means the X5 xDrive45e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The X5 xDrive45e’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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the RX (265/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The X5 xDrive45e’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 xDrive45e’s optional 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RX. The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 21-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 standard on the X5 xDrive45e 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 front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the RX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the RX (117.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the RX.

The X5 xDrive45e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47.2% to 52.8%) than the RX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the X5 xDrive45e more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e 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.

Passenger Space

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RX can only carry 5.

The X5 xDrive45e has 1.4 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 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 16 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The X5 xDrive45e’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 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X5 xDrive45e 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

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e 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 xDrive45e’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The X5 xDrive45e 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 xDrive45e’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.