Compare the2024 BMW X7VS 2024 Lexus GX

The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lexus GX doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X7 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 X7 and the GX 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 X7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the GX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 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 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X7’s warranty.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The X7 xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The X7 M60i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 174 more horsepower (523 vs. 349) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 282 more horsepower (631 vs. 349) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lexus GX:

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the GX:

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’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 X7’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. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The X7’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.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

The X7 stops much shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the GX (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 265/55R20). The X7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (285/45R21 vs. 265/55R20).

The X7’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 GX Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the GX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX Overtrail. The X7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the GX.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 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.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the GX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X7 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X7’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 GX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the GX (122.2 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The X7 xDrive40i handles at .88 G’s, while the GX Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the GX Overtrail+ (26.1 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Unibody construction lowers the X7’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 X7 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.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The GX doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the GX, the X7 has standard driver and 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 X7’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the GX.

The GX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X7’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 X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lexus doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the GX.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X7 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GX.

The X7’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The GX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 second among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GX isn’t in the top three in its category.