Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2023 Lexus RX

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 standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 896 to 1491 pounds more than the Lexus RX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been fully tested, yet.

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.

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 143 more horsepower (389 vs. 246) and 210 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (389 vs. 275) and 126 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 317) than the RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 23 more horsepower (389 vs. 366) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 406) than the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The X5 xDrive45e can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The RX has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

The X5 xDrive45e has a gallon more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (18.2 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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.

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the RX (265/50R19 vs. 235/60R19). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 235/60R19).

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 60 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 50 series tires.

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.

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 4.9 inches longer than on the RX (117.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RX.

The X5 xDrive45e’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47.2% to 52.8%) than the RX’s (54.7% to 45.3%). 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 350 (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 xDrive45e’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the RX 350h (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

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.

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

The X5 xDrive45e has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

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. 29.6 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. 46.2 cubic feet).

The X5 xDrive45e’s cargo area is larger than the RX’s in almost every dimension:

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.

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

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 the accessory belts are in front.

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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 xDrive45e to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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.