Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Lexus RX

The X5’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 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.

Both the X5 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, 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 RX has not been fully tested, yet.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX’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 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’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The X5 has more powerful engines than the RX:

As tested in Consumer Reports the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’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.

The X5 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350h/500h’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 17.8 gallons).

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 RX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The X5 stops shorter than the RX:

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

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 RX’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 RX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The RX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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 RX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The RX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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 RX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the RX (117.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the RX.

The X5’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 X5 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the RX 350h (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches).

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 RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The X5 has 1.2 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 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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

The X5’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’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the X5 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport, 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.

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 RX 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 RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 RX.

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