Price
Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
Priced from $45,070, the RX is hardly budget-priced. But it’s one of the least expensive luxury midsize SUVs, costing only a little more than the compact BMW X3. BMW’s midsize X5, meanwhile, starts at $58,900 – much more than the Lexus. What’s more, you can push the X5 well into the six figures by adding optional features and upgrading to bigger engines.
The X5 makes up some of this lost ground with additional standard equipment. This includes heated front seats ($440 extra on the RX), a panoramic moonroof ($1,850 extra on the RX), adaptive headlights ($1,975 on the RX), a 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen (part of a $2,285 package on the RX), and an adaptive suspension (part of a $1,050 option package on the RX’s F Sport model, which starts at $48,550). But even adding all those features, the RX still costs less.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2020 BMW X5
The X5 and RX both have spacious and comfortable seats in both rows. These two SUVs are also available with tiny third-row seats, the latter in its extended-length RX L model. But, if you’re looking for that third row of seats, the X5 has more space. The RX L has less second-row legroom than either the X5 or the two-row RX. And while both the RX L’s and the X5’s third rows are cramped, the X5 has a little more space.
Both these SUVs come standard with synthetic leather upholstery and have genuine leather available as an option. Heated and ventilated front seats, along with heated second-row seats and a heated steering wheel, are a further boost to seat comfort on both models. The BMW even offers heated front armrests. The RX L is the only of the two SUVs that’s available with second-row captain’s chairs, though; every X5 has a second-row bench seat.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2020 BMW X5
The X5 has substantially more cargo space than either the RX or the extended-length RX L. The BMW provides 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second-row seat and 72.3 cubic feet when the second row is folded down.
In contrast, both versions of the RX have small cargo holds for the luxury midsize SUV class. The two-row RX has 18.4 cubic feet behind its rear seat and 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The three-row RX L has 23 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum of 58.5 cubic feet behind the front seats. Additionally, the X5 can tow more than twice as much as the RX: 7,200 pounds versus 3,500 pounds.
Interior Quality
Winner: Tie
The RX and X5 both impress for their finely finished interiors, which are constructed from rich materials. The biggest difference is their design aesthetic: The X5 has a more minimalist vibe with simple lines, while the sleeker RX has a bigger instrument panel that flows from the gauge cluster down to the console between the front seats. You can’t go wrong with either SUV.
Interior Features
Winner: 2020 BMW X5
As you might expect from the more expensive SUV of the pair, the X5 has more standard interior features than the RX, as well as a longer list of high-end upgrades.
The RX does come standard with plenty of comfort, convenience, and infotainment features. This includes an infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, along with dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, and a nine-speaker premium audio system. However, the X5 has most of that plus more: a bigger standard infotainment screen (12.3-inches versus 8-inches), a panoramic moonroof, and a 10-speaker stereo. You can pay extra for those features on the Lexus, along with a navigation system, a 12- or 15-speaker stereo, tri-zone automatic climate control, and wireless device charging. But the X5 goes further, with the above in addition to an available 20-speaker stereo and quad-zone automatic climate control.
The X5’s iDrive infotainment system is also easier to use than the RX’s Remote Touch, though Lexus recently added a touch screen interface that improves its system. In one disadvantage, the X5 doesn’t offer Android Auto or Amazon Alexa. Both are standard on the RX. The X5 and RX are both compatible with Apple CarPlay.
Acceleration
Winner: 2020 BMW X5
The X5 comes standard with a powerful 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Models with this engine receive the 40i designation. Buyers can upgrade to truly mighty V8 power in one of three variants of a 4.4-liter turbo. The 50i has a 456-horsepower 4.4-liter, the M50i has 523 horsepower, and the X5 M has 600 horsepower. Every X5 is quick, and the V8 models can out-accelerate many sports cars.
The standard RX 350 has a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 295 horsepower in the two-row model and 290 horsepower in the three-row RX 350L. It’s smooth, quiet, and powerful enough for effortless acceleration, but it doesn’t provide the thrills you’d find in the X5, even in its base form. A hybrid version, the RX 450h, has 308 horsepower and similar acceleration to the RX 350.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
The RX may not be as quick as the X5, but it makes up ground at the gas pump. The two-row RX 350 gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway in base front-wheel-drive configuration. The all-wheel-drive RX 350 and the front-wheel-drive RX 350L each achieve 1 mpg less, while the all-wheel-drive RX 350L brings up the rear at 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The six-cylinder X5 40i stays competitive at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with rear-wheel drive, and 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive. However, the X5 requires premium fuel while the RX 350 is happy to use less-expensive regular-grade fuel.
The mileage difference grows on other variants. The V8-powered X5 50i and M50i drop to 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the X5 M gets a miserable 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. In contrast, the two-row RX 450h hybrid is rated at 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway and the three-row RX 450hL gets 29 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway (albeit on premium fuel).
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2020 BMW X5
The X5 is engineered to provide a magnificent balance of a smooth, quiet ride and agile handling. An adaptive suspension system comes standard, helping the vehicle prepare for whatever conditions it’s facing. It’s fun to drive even before you opt for the X5 M performance model.
The RX, meanwhile, is more singularly focused on ride comfort. There’s serenity, but no excitement. It’s easy to drive and it doesn’t feel clumsy, but this isn’t an SUV built for driving fun like the X5. An F Sport package – which includes an adaptive suspension – provides sharper steering responses while limiting body roll, but it’s still no match for the BMW.
Reliability
Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
The RX has one of the highest predicted reliability scores in the industry. That’s especially impressive for a luxury vehicle, as many luxury models offer disappointing reliability. The X5 is pretty good, too – but the Lexus is in another league.
BMW’s warranty isn’t as generous as Lexus’, either. The X5 is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, while the RX has six years or 70,000 miles of powertrain coverage and four years or 50,000 miles of warranty for the rest of the vehicle.
Safety
Winner: To Be Determined
While both of these SUVs should excel for safety, we don’t have full data on the 2021 RX to determine a winner. That’s because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tested it only for side-impact performance and rollover resistance, without subjecting it to a frontal crash test. It earned the top five stars in the side-impact crash test and four stars for rollover resistance, the typical top score for an SUV. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t yet determined whether its evaluations of the 2020 RX still apply to the 2021 model. The 2020 RX achieved an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation; it earned top scores in crash tests but had mixed scores for its headlights, and it missed the top score for its ability to automatically brake to avoid a pedestrian.
The X5, on the other hand, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, at least when equipped with its optionally upgraded headlights. That reflects a perfect score in all evaluations. However, like the 2020 RX, its base headlights earned the lowest rating: Poor. In NHTSA testing, it matched the RX’s five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance scores. It earned a middling four out of five stars for frontal-impact performance, and four out of five stars overall.
The Winner Is …
2020 BMW X5
The BMW X5 is an expensive vehicle, starting at about $14,000 more than the Lexus RX. But it’s still the better luxury midsize SUV. It delivers the above-and-beyond driving performance and feature content that help luxury vehicles stand apart from ordinary ones. The X5 is also roomier than the RX and can tow a heavier trailer, making it the more useful SUV of the two.
The RX, meanwhile, is a lot of luxury SUV for the money. It costs less to buy and refuel than the X5, has a tranquil ride, a richly finished interior, and plenty of available features. It’s also more reliable than the BMW. But as long as you’re willing to spend more for a top-tier driving experience, the X5 is the better choice.
Other Luxury SUVs to Consider
The X5 and RX have some notable differences from each other – mainly price and driving performance. Once you’ve chosen between the two priorities, there are some other luxury midsize SUVs that are worth considering.
For another expensive but powerful, splendid-to-drive luxury SUV like the X5, our top-rated model is the Mercedes-Benz GLE. It’s a little less expensive than the X5 and has a slightly fancier-looking interior, but it’s not quite as agile and fun to drive. Another high-scoring, great-driving model is the Audi Q7, but it has less standard horsepower than the X5 and slightly worse reliability.
If you’d like a luxury midsize SUV that’s priced more like the RX than the X5, the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 are our favorite alternatives. They’re both much roomier than the RX, and the MDX adds sporty driving manners. But their interiors are less luxurious and they don’t score as highly for reliability. Meanwhile, the Lincoln Aviator undercuts the German SUVs’ price tags while also providing more power and a more intuitive infotainment system than the RX, though it too isn’t as reliable.
Also, because the RX has less cargo space than many luxury compact SUVs, you might consider some of those more efficient, less expensive models. Our top-rated models are the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
To learn more about these two luxury midsize SUVs, you can explore our full reviews of the BMW X5 and Lexus RX. To explore the rest of the market segment, check out our full luxury midsize SUV rankings.
Once you’re ready to buy your new SUV, don’t miss our new car deals page, which highlights the best current discounts for buyers and lessees. Lastly, get quotes from local dealerships through the U.S. News Best Price Program, which saves shoppers an average of more than $3,000 off a new vehicle’s sticker price.
2020 BMW X5 vs. 2021 Lexus RX: Head to Head
- Price - Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
- Seat Comfort - Winner: 2020 BMW X5
- Cargo Space - Winner: 2020 BMW X5
- Interior Quality - Winner: Tie
- Interior Features - Winner: 2020 BMW X5
- Acceleration - Winner: 2020 BMW X5
- Fuel Economy - Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
- Ride and Handling - Winner: 2020 BMW X5
- Reliability - Winner: 2021 Lexus RX
- Safety - Winner: To Be Determined
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Two Top Luxury Midsize SUVs Face Off
From a distance, all luxury midsize SUVs can look pretty similar. They’re big boxes with posh leather, quiet rides, and more safety features than you can list. They’re functional yet elegant. And, understandably, they’re expensive.
But looking at two of the most popular luxury midsize SUVs – the 2020 BMW X5 and the 2021 Lexus RX – demonstrates the true diversity in this market segment. In this article, we’ll look at how these two models compare across 10 categories, which will show the sometimes stark differences between the X5 and the RX. We’ll also name our overall winner, so you’ll be able to see which vehicle’s strengths are most aligned with your own tastes.
We may refer to vehicles’ U.S. News scores, crash-test performance, pricing, and other factors. We continuously update this information in our new car rankings, which is why they may reflect new data points that weren’t available as this article was written.
Read on to learn more about these luxury midsize SUVs and which of the two is our top recommendation.