2021 BMW X5 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's renowned high-quality craftsmanship. As part of BMW's true SUV range, the X5 maintained the brand's signature design elements, from the kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. This consistency, while reassuring, also meant the X5 could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles on standard xLine models, and sporty M Sport styling options with body-color trim and high-gloss black accents. Wheel sizes ranged from 19 to 22 inches, depending on the trim level.

Inside, the X5's interior echoed the brand's familiar design language, with switches, dials, and displays sourced from the BMW parts bin. Despite an abundance of black plastic prone to dust and liquid spots, the cabin boasted plenty of leather and soft-touch materials. M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, and exclusive interior trim strips, enhancing the sporty feel.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, following a facelift in 2020. Available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, as well as a hybrid RX 450h, the RX offered aggressive styling with razor-sharp character lines and angular features. The F Sport trim stood out with 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The RX's exterior paint options included new colors like Cloudburst Gray and Iridium, with F Sport models adding Grecian Water.

Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal across all trims, with F Sport models adding sporty touches like model-specific badging, Scored Aluminum trim, and NuLuxe synthetic leather in black or dark red. Non-F Sport models offered a mix of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats with various metal and wood trim pairings. The cabin featured high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, though the center stack felt dated with an abundance of buttons. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

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 came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M boasted 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and 24-kilowatt-hour battery, offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range.

Despite its power, the X5's driving dynamics were less impressive. The steering felt disconnected, especially at higher speeds, and the SUV's handling was more akin to a Lincoln than a BMW. The cabin remained quiet, with minimal road or engine noise, and the suspension absorbed bumps well. Charging the X5 xDrive45e was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and an EPA-estimated 400-mile driving range. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg combined, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg combined, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX 450h only offered AWD.

Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming. The engine note was more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder, and acceleration was sluggish. The F Sport trim, with its adaptive variable suspension and Sport+ drive mode, failed to deliver significant improvements in driving dynamics. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise effectively.

Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with AWD and three-row L models slightly less efficient. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after extended periods. Rear seats were comfortable for kids and two adults, with an optional third row available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality and vehicle height adjustment made loading cargo easier. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space due to the battery.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models, with a 2/3/2 seating configuration, offered limited space for anything but groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens, moved closer to the driver in 2020, were still ergonomically challenging, with a lip obstructing access to icons. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it frustrating to use. The RX offered six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, premium audio systems, navigation with cloud-based updates, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App provided remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2021 BMW X5 included 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. The Driving Assistance Professional Package, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, had issues with camera visibility and lane-keeping accuracy. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.