2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship. As part of BMW's true SUV range, it featured the brand's signature kidney grille and unmistakable body shape, ensuring it stood out as a BMW. The X5's exterior boasted full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles, and satin aluminum finishes on standard xLine models, while M Sport models added sporty touches like body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. The interior, though familiar across BMW models, offered a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, with M Sport models featuring unique, aggressive styling elements.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition aimed to captivate with its black-on-black aesthetic, eradicating almost all chrome from its exterior. Despite its modern touches like the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation predecessor. Inside, the GX maintained Lexus's legendary quality with smooth, refined materials and a quiet cabin. The Black Line Special Edition added NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, enhancing its luxurious feel.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 30-mile all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were less engaging than expected, with a Lincoln-like driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M at 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e at 20 mpg on gasoline and 50 MPGe on electricity and gas.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 7.8-second run to 60 mph and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, the GX's performance was solid but not thrilling. Its high drag coefficient and hefty curb weight resulted in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg combined. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, but the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats, while comfortable for short trips, became hard over longer drives. Rear seats were spacious, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated easy loading of cargo. Without the third row, the cargo area was ample, though the X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less space. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, complicating access to the second row.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position and clear visibility from its 10-way power-adjustable seat. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-padded surfaces, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition added NuLuxe upholstery and black ash wood trim. Rear seat access was tricky due to narrow door openings, and the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker sound system. Additional features included voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system was available. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems had issues with responsiveness and reliability. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite seven recalls.

The 2022 Lexus GX, lacking crash-test ratings, relied on its standard Lexus Safety System+ suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, the GX lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.