Compare the2023 Lexus GXVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Lexus GX 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 BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

Both the GX and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the GX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GX’s reliability 42 points higher than the X5.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GX second among midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The X5 was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 12th.

The GX has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 (23 vs. 21.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GX stops much shorter than the X5:

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The BMW X5 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the X5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

The GX 460 Luxury has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The design of the Lexus GX amounts to more than styling. The GX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the X5 (.36 to .38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GX get better fuel mileage.

The GX has 1.9 inches more front legroom and 1.7 inches more rear headroom than the X5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle seats and third row seats (except Base/Black Line Edition) recline. The X5’s third row seats don’t recline.

The GX’s cargo area is larger than the X5’s in almost every dimension:

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X5’s (6500 vs. 5952 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the GX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The GX has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 (1295 vs. 827 lbs.).

The GX has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 (1295 vs. 1030 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the GX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The GX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The GX has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the GX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GX will cost $3095 to $5105 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GX is less expensive to operate than the X5 because it costs $237 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GX than the X5, including $291 less for a water pump, $1385 less for a muffler, $182 less for front brake pads, $113 less for fuel injection, $35 less for a fuel pump, $453 less for front struts, $593 less for a timing belt/chain and $936 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus GX will be $2551 to $13857 less than for the BMW X5.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus GX and the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.