Compare the2027 BMW X5 VS 2026 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 BMW X5 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.

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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5. But it costs extra on the RX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The RX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X5 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 406 to 1061 pounds more than the Lexus RX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 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 148 more horsepower (394 vs. 246) and 195 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 119 more horsepower (394 vs. 275) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 317) than the RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 90 more horsepower (394 vs. 304) than the RX 450h+ Luxury’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (394 vs. 366) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 406) than the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the RX running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
X5
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
RX
	FWD	350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy

Both the X5 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All X5s 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 X5 has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 14.5 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 traction, the X5 has larger tires than the RX (F:255/50R21 & R:284/45R21 vs. 235/60R19).

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 RX’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s tires are lower profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the RX. The X5’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the RX.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RX 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 RX (119.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the RX.

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 RX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X5 get better fuel mileage.

The X5 has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The X5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (67.7 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

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 (7710 vs. 0 pounds).

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.

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 RX doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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 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 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.

Both the BMW X5 and the Lexus RX have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the rear seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the X5 also has a standard wireless charging system in the rear seat. The RX does not.