Lexus RX vs BMW X5
Luxury midsize SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Lexus RX and BMW X5 were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the RX's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the X5's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2024; the newest year rated a good buy is 2023.
Lexus RX
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
BMW X5
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2023
- Avoid 2024
- Be careful 2010–2012, 2019–2020, 2025
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy RX year says nothing about whether it beats a X5. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Lexus RX | BMW X5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly stability control and brakes | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly stability control and brakes | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and engine | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and structure | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly fuel system and brakes | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and air bags | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Lexus RX | 2026 BMW X5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $67,600 to $129,700 base price by trim, 5 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 271–275 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 180–187 hp | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 375–483 hp 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 523–617 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 24–36 mpg | 15–25 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | 33.9 cu ft |
| Max cargo | — | 72.3 cu ft |
| Max towing | — | 7,200 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | 4–5 of 5 stars | 4 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 9 | 2 · 24 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| RX 350 first listed | RX 500H last listed | X5 sDrive40i lowest price, $67,600 | X5 M Competition highest price, $129,700 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | — | Optional | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | — | Standard | — |
| Remote start | — | — | Optional | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (RX, X5).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Lexus RX
21 manufacturer programs on file: 7 extended coverage, 14 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Dealer Package: 12/10/2019 Vehicle total has increased by approximately 6,260 vehicles. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Vehicles that did not have an active Safety Connect subscription on or after 10/1/2017 but are affected by this condition are included in this Customer Support Program (19LE05). (19LE05, 2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (KLG 19LE05-TI-Up, 2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Technical instructions: technical instructions for limited service campaign klg customer support program 19le05 safety connect system ? (19LE05-KLG, 2011–2017 models)
BMW X5
49 manufacturer programs on file: 30 extended coverage, 19 repair programs.
- Extended coverage For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the… (B010324, 2019–2023 models)
- Extended coverage The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on with the following fault codes stored in the DME: Misfires While there are various possible causes a possible cause might be that one or more fuel injectors are leaking/defective. (B010220, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage N63T ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES: For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (ÒBMW NAÓ) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicleÕs engine fuel injectors to: (B010518, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date. (B010325, 2019–2022 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2013–2018, 2021–2023. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2024: the RX is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.0× usual), while the X5 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly stability control and brakes). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: X5 2024.
- Newest year rated a good buy: RX 2025; X5 2023.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RX at 36 mpg (X5: 25), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.