Price
Winner: 2019 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX costs far less than the BMW X5, giving it the nod in this category. The two-row 2019 RX 350 starts at $43,670. Lexus’ three-row RX 350L starts at $47,770. Equipping the RX with all-wheel drive adds $1,400 to the starting price. The Lexus RX Hybrid (reviewed separately) starts at $45,995.
The base X5 xDrive40i will set you back $60,700, which is more than most other base models in its class. The top-tier X5 xDrive50i comes in at $75,750.
Reliability
Winner: To Be Determined
The BMW X5 was completely redesigned for 2019 and has yet to be rated for reliability. However, it has already been the subject of one recall regarding a possible short circuit in xDrive40i models. Each new X5 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.
The Lexus RX 350 has excellent predicted reliability, earning a score of 4.5 out of five from J.D. Power. The 2019 model has not been the subject of any recalls and comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Seat Comfort
Winner: Tie
Both the Lexus RX and BMW X5 are noted for having two comfortable and spacious rows of seats. The Lexus RX L comes with a third row of seating. A third row is also optional in the X5.
The RX comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery. Available seating options include genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs (in RX L models), and second-row reclining and power-folding seats. The Lexus RX F Sport’s available sport seats may be too narrow for larger drivers.
The BMW X5 offers slightly more in its base model, with standard synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats. Buyers can check option boxes to get Vernasca leather upholstery, multicontour front seats, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated and cooled cup holders, heated rear seats, and heated armrests.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2019 BMW X5
The BMW X5 has more cargo space than the Lexus RX and RX L, making it the winner in this category. With the X5’s second row folded, the midsize SUV has 72.3 cubic feet of storage space. When the rear seats are upright, there is 33.9 cubic feet of space.
The Lexus RX has 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space with its back seats lowered and 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row. The larger RX L offers 16.3 cubic feet with all seats upright. When the third row is stowed, there is 23 cubic feet of space, and with the second and third rows stowed, the RX L maxes out at 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Interior Quality
Winner: Tie
The Lexus RX and BMW X5 have two of the nicest interiors in their class, with real wood, leather, and metal appointments throughout the cabin. Both models feature excellent fit and finish.
Interior Features
Winner: 2019 BMW X5
The BMW X5 has a better list of standard and available features than the Lexus RX, and its features are easier to use, giving it the win in this category.
Both models come standard with keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and HD Radio.
The X5’s 12.3-inch touch screen, three USB ports, and 10-speaker audio system are slightly better than the RX’s standard 8-inch display, two USB ports, and nine-speaker audio system. Other standard equipment on the X5 includes a panoramic moonroof, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. Those features are options in the Lexus RX.
Buyers can add quad-zone automatic climate control, wireless device charging, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a Wi-Fi hot spot to their X5.
Additional available features in the RX include tri-zone automatic climate control, a 12- or 15-speaker premium sound system, and the Enform App suite with Amazon Alexa smartphone connectivity.
BMW’s infotainment system is easier to use than the Lexus system. It also includes nifty high-tech features like gesture control, which reads hand signals to perform various functions like turning up or down the volume.
Acceleration
Winner: 2019 BMW X5
The Lexus RX and BMW X5 both accelerate swiftly, but the BMW powerplants perform more impressively, giving it the win in this category. The Lexus RX 350 is powered by a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The base BMW X5 xDrive40i has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine under its hood that produces 335 horsepower. The X5 xDrive50i is powered by a 456-horsepower turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. BMW claims that engine gets the X5 from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2019 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX squeaks out a win in this category by achieving slightly better fuel economy than the BMW X5’s base turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.
The RX’s 3.5-liter V6 gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The RX L is powered by the same engine and achieves 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
The X5’s base model gets 20/26 mpg city/highway. The V8 option is much thirstier, getting just 17/22 mpg city/highway.
The RX is also available with a hybrid powertrain. The Lexus RX 450h gets 31 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2019 BMW X5
On bendy roads, the Lexus RX has some body lean, whereas the X5 feels planted, giving the BMW the nod in this category.
The road’s imperfections are barely noticeable in the cabin of either SUV.
The X5 comes standard with all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive is standard in the RX, and all-wheel drive is available.
Safety
Winner: To Be Determined
The Lexus RX has been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It received top crash test scores from the IIHS and four out of five stars from the NHTSA. The BMW X5 has been rated by the NHTSA, but not the IIHS, making us unable to declare a winner in this category. The X5 received the same scores as the RX from the NHTSA.
The BMW X5 comes standard with more standard safety features than the Lexus RX. Both the BMW X5 and Lexus RX come standard with adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection. The RX also gets standard lane keep assist and automatic high beams while the X5 comes standard with front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
RX buyers can opt for a head-up display, a surround-view parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
The X5 is available with BMW's Active Protection System, a head-up display, night vision, Evasion Assistant, a surround-view camera, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.
The Winner Is …
2019 BMW X5
The BMW X5 is the better luxury midsize SUV, but this race is a tight one. You really can’t go wrong with either model.
Price is a big part of buying decisions for most shoppers, and the Lexus RX is available for a much lower price. Budget-minded luxury SUV shoppers may want to also cross-shop the Acura MDX, which was recently given some upgrades, including a more responsive infotainment system and finer appointments.
Performance-focused buyers who have their sights set on the X5 may also want to test drive the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To learn more about the BMW X5 and Lexus RX, check out their reviews. Then, see how they stack up to the competition by exploring our midsize SUV rankings.
If you’re looking to get your hands on one of these two SUVs, head over to our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
When you’ve decided which one is right for you, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase. Shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new car.
Getting an excellent interest rate for your car or truck can also save you thousands of dollars. Compare rates from up to four lenders with myAutoloan to find the best deal for your budget.
2019 BMW X5 vs. 2019 Lexus RX: Head to Head
- Price - Winner: 2019 Lexus RX
- Reliability - Winner: To Be Determined
- Seat Comfort - Winner: Tie
- Cargo Space - Winner: 2019 BMW X5
- Interior Quality - Winner: Tie
- Interior Features - Winner: 2019 BMW X5
- Acceleration - Winner: 2019 BMW X5
- Fuel Economy - Winner: 2019 Lexus RX
- Ride and Handling - Winner: 2019 BMW X5
- Safety - Winner: To Be Determined
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X5 vs. RX: Which Midsize SUV Is Right for You?
The Lexus RX and BMW X5 are two of the most popular luxury midsize SUVs. They excel at hauling people and cargo in a well-appointed package that buyers are attracted to, and they are frequently cross-shopped with each other.
The X5 is completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, while the RX is in the middle of its current generation. This article will take an in-depth look at both vehicles to determine which is the better car overall based on U.S. News scoring.
Keep in mind that the scores on our site are updated constantly as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores mentioned in this slideshow may not match the scores in our reviews.
Read on to see which luxury midsize SUV comes out on top.