Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Lexus GX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the GX 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GX has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the GX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (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’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the X5’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

Engine

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 34 more horsepower (335 vs. 301) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 222 more horsepower (523 vs. 301) and 224 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX:

	X5	GX
Zero to 30 MPH	1.7 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.8 sec	7.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.5 sec	21.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.8 sec	7.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.9 sec	3.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.7 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	89 MPH
Top Speed	129 MPH	111 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the GX:

			MPG
X5
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
		4.4 turbo V8	16 city/22 hwy
GX
	AWD	4.6 DOHC V8	15 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the X5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (M50i only). The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

The X5’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 GX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	X5 xDrive40i	X5 M Sport	GX
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	12.3 inches

The X5 stops much shorter than the GX:

	X5	GX
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/60R18).

The X5’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 GX’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the GX.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X5 M50i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the GX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the GX (117.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the GX (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the X5’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the GX:

	X5	GX
At idle	39 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	73 dB
70 MPH Cruising	64 dB	66 dB

Passenger Space

The X5 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the GX.

The front step up height for the X5 is 2.2 inches lower than the GX (19.5” vs. 21.7”). The X5’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the GX’s (20” vs. 22”).

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GX with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 11.6 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GX with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 34.4 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The GX doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus GX is limited to 6500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GX, the X5 M50i has a 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 X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The X5’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 GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

The X5’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X5 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the GX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X5 is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost less on the X5 than the GX, including $84 less for a starter.

Recommendations

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

The BMW X5 outsold the Lexus GX by almost three to one during 2022.