Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2023 Lexus LX

The X6’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X6 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 LX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X6 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 LX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X6 and the LX 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, all wheel drive, 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 X6’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LX (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 X6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The LX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The X6 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 114 more horsepower (523 vs. 409) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 479) than the LX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X6 xDrive40i gets better fuel mileage than the LX 600 (21 city/25 hwy vs. 17 city/22 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X6’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X6’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 LX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X6’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the LX (275/45R20 vs. 265/55R20). The X6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LX (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/55R20).

The X6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX Premium/Luxury’s 65 series tires. The X6’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX Premium/Luxury.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X6 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The LX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X6 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 LX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X6 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X6 flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X6 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 LX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X6 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 LX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the LX (117.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For greater off-road capability the X6 xDrive40i has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX Base/Premium (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X6 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X6 Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the LX Luxury/Ultra Luxury/F Sport (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches).

The BMW X6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus LX.

The X6 is 5.7 inches shorter than the LX, making the X6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X6 is 7.9 inches shorter in height than the LX, making the X6 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X6’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 LX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the X6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X6 has a much larger cargo volume than the LX with its rear seat up (27.4 vs. 11 cubic feet).

The X6’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The LX’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X6’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The X6 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX.

The X6’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The LX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LX isn’t in the top three.

The BMW X6 outsold the Lexus LX by almost four to one during 2022.