2022 Lexus RX vs BMW X5: How Do They Stack Up?
Over two decades since these luxury crossovers debuted, they're still going at it on the sales charts.
Decades of Success
Both the Lexus RX and BMW X5 have been around for over two decades now, and both have proven to be popular options in the luxury crossover market. As one might imagine, these two vehicles have quite a few things in common, but also enjoy their own unique pros and cons. Thus, we're going to take a look at how the RX and X5 stack up in this highly competitive automotive segment that has exploded in popularity over the last twenty years.
Photos: Lexus
Many Flavors
Both the RX and X5 come with standard two-row five-passenger seating, but both also offer three rows and seven-passenger seating as well. Both are also offered in a wide array of models. BMW sells the X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid, X5 M50i, and X5 M, while the RX comes in many flavors including the RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 350L, RX 450h, RX 450h F Sport, and RX 450hL.
Photos: BMW
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Pricing May Vary
As one might imagine, pricing varies greatly depending on the model and trim one chooses. BMW's X5 ranges in price from $59,400 to $105,900, not including destination and delivery charges, while the RX costs anywhere from $45,320 to $64,000. The X5 comes in a standard rear-wheel-drive with an optional all-wheel-drive, while the RX is a front-wheel-drive-based vehicle with an available all-wheel-drive.
Photos: Lexus
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Reliability and Warranties
While the X5 gets the enthusiast nod of approval for its V8-powered M model and RWD configuration, the RX has a huge advantage in terms of reliability. The Lexus ranked third in J.D. Power's 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study and first in the organization's Initial Quality Study, while the X5 isn't in the top three of either. The RX also enjoys a superior powertrain warranty and hybrid battery warranty, as well as a hybrid system warranty, which the X5 does not offer.
Photos: BMW
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Power
The X5's base engine is a good one - BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder, which produces 335 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid provides 389 hp, while the M50i makes 523 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque from a turbo 4.4-liter V8. The X5 M's turbo V8 produces 600 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque, or 617 hp in Competition trim. The RX has two engine choices - a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 295 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque, or the hybrid model that provides 308 hp.
Photos: Lexus
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Fuel Economy
Both the X5 sDrive40i and xDrive40i are rated to return 23 mpg combined, while the plug-in hybrid has an EPA rating of 20 mpg and an all-electric driving range of 31 miles. The X5 M50i achieves 18 mpg, and the X5 M gets just 15 mpg combined. Meanwhile, the RX 350 gets 22 mpg in AWD configuration and 23 mpg in FWD guise, while the 450h returns 30 mpg combined.
Photos: BMW
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Choosing a Winner
Both the RX and X5 offer a wide array of safety and driver-assist features, and both achieved four stars overall in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing, though the RX was given a Top Safety Pick award, while the X5 was not due to its poor headlight rating. Thus, choosing between these two vehicles really boils down to trading ultimate performance for reliability, though one must also take into consideration the X5's much higher price tag, too.
Photos: Lexus
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