Compare the2023 Aston Martin DBXVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Aston Martin DBX 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.

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

Both the DBX 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The DBX comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The X5’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The DBX’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 207 more horsepower (542 vs. 335) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 331) than the X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 19 more horsepower (542 vs. 523) than the X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8. The DBX707’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 174 more horsepower (697 vs. 523) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 553) than the X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Aston Martin DBX 4.0 is faster than the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the DBX’s fuel efficiency. The X5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the DBX and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All DBXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

The DBX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Aston Martin DBX higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the DBX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Aston Martin DBX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X5.

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

The DBX 707 has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The X5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The DBX stops much shorter than the X5:

For better traction, the DBX has larger tires than the X5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 265/50R19). The DBX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X5 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21).

The DBX’s standard 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X5’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the DBX has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the X5. The DBX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the X5.

The front and rear suspension of the DBX uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the DBX’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the X5 (120.5 inches vs. 117.1 inches).

The DBX707 handles at .97 G’s, while the X5 xDrive pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The DBX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the X5 xDrive40i (24.4 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the DBX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the X5’s (40.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the DBX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (9.3 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the DBX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The DBX has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 3.5 inches more rear legroom than the X5.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the DBX when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The X5 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The DBX’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Standard Trailer Stability Control on the DBX uses the Electronic 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.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the DBX has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the DBX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.