Compare the2027 BMW X5 VS 2026 Lexus GX

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 GX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 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 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 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (394 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 40 40i xDrive gets better fuel mileage than the GX 550 (24 city/28 hwy vs. 15 city/21 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. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (5). This means the X5 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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.

For better traction and acceleration, the X5 has larger rear tires than the GX (284/45R21 vs. 265/55R20).

The X5’s 255/50R21 front and 284/45R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX 550 Overtrail’s standard 70 series tires. The X5’s tires are lower profile than the GX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GX 550 Overtrail. The X5’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the GX.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the GX (119.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the 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 GX.

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 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 design of the BMW X5 amounts to more than styling. The X5 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GX (.399) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X5 get better fuel mileage.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the GX with its rear seat up (27.3 vs. 10.3 cubic feet).

While the GX Luxury+ can only tow 7601, any X5 can tow a minimum of 7710 pounds.

The X5 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the GX (1477 vs. 1235 lbs.).

The X5’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 X5’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The GX doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The GX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X5’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 X5 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 X5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GX. The X5 also offers Qi charging in the rear seat. The GX doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

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.

The BMW X5 outsold the Lexus GX by over two to one during 2025.