Compare the2023 BMW X4VS 2023 Lexus RX

The X4’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 X4 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 X4. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the X4 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 X4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 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 X4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 third among compact premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The X4 has more powerful engines than the RX:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX 350h/500h.

Both the X4 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All X4s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the RX (245/50R19 vs. 235/60R19). The X4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/60R19).

The X4’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 X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 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 X4 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 X4 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the RX’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the X4 more stable handling and braking.

The X4 is 4.9 inches shorter than the RX, making the X4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X4 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 X4 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The engine in the X4 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.