Compare the2023 BMW X7VS 2022 Lexus RXL

The X7’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.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lexus RXL doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

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 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the RXL.

Both the X7 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 and available around view monitors.

The BMW X7 weighs 492 to 1522 pounds more than the Lexus RXL. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RXL’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 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 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 RXL’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The X7 has more powerful engines than the RXL:

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

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X7’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 X7’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. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RXL Hybrid.

The X7 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 X7 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 19.2 gallons).

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 RXL doesn’t offer launch control.

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

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the RXL (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 235/65R18). The X7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RXL (285/45R21 vs. 235/65R18).

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 RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 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 X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RXL. The X7’s optional 23-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 X7 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.

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

The X7 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.

The X7 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X7’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 RXL doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X7 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RXL.

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

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 RXL doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X7 has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 6.7 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom, 9.8 inches more third row legroom and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X7’s middle and third row seats recline. The RXL’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

The X7’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.

The X7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (5950 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RXL is only 3500 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the X7, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RXL.

The engine in the X7 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the RXL, the X7 has standard driver and 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’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RXL does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

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 RXL.

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 RXL.

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 RXL.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X7 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RXL.

The X7’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The RXL doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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