Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2026 Lexus RX

The XM’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 BMW XM has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The RX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the XM. But it costs extra on the RX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the XM’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The RX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the XM and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1281 to 1936 pounds more than the Lexus RX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

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

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 492 more horsepower (738 vs. 246) and 505 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 463 more horsepower (738 vs. 275) and 421 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 317) than the RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 434 more horsepower (738 vs. 304) than the RX 450h+ Luxury’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 372 more horsepower (738 vs. 366) and 332 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 406) than the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Lexus RX:

Both the XM and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All XMs 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.

The XM has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (18.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XM’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 XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

The XM stops much shorter than the RX:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the RX (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 235/60R19).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 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 XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the RX. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the RX.

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

The XM 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 XM’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the RX (122.2 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.8 inches wider in the front than on the RX.

The XM’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.9% to 51.1%) than the RX’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the XM more stable handling and braking.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the RX 350 AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4.7 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

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

The front grille of the XM 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 XM has .9 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the XM 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the XM 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.

The XM 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 RX.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RX.