If you’re considering a new luxury SUV, the 2025 Lexus RX and the 2025 BMW X5 are both likely to be on your radar. Each vehicle presents a combination of elegance, comfort, and performance, but which one truly distinguishes itself? Our team at Lexus Stevens Creek has put together this detailed automobile comparison to take you through the essential differences and guide you to the perfect choice.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
The gas-powered models of the 2025 Lexus RX 350 are equipped with a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. When the RX underwent its redesign for the 2023 model year, Lexus had the chance to refine its driving character, and the chassis engineers kept things sleek and luxurious. The new RX 350 continues to offer the same smooth and gentle ride as its predecessors, providing you with a soothing driving experience.
The 2025 BMW X5 offers four variants with three different powertrains: the sDrive40i and xDrive40i with a 375-horsepower turbocharged inline-six, the plug-in hybrid xDrive50e combining a turbo inline-six and electric motor for 483 horsepower, and the M60i with a 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The X5 features a refined ride and stable handling, with direct steering, including through fast corners.
Fuel Economy
EPA estimates rate the Lexus RX 350 at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive version. If you opt for all-wheel drive, you’re looking at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. For the BMW X5, both the rear-wheel-drive sDrive40i and the all-wheel-drive xDrive40i are rated at 23 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the V-8 M60i gets 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
Design and Comfort
The Lexus RX now comes only as a two-row, five-seat SUV. This makes room for the three-row TX, which came out in 2024. The inside of the RX is more modern than the last generation, with textured cloth door panels, upscale ambient lighting, and natural-looking wood trim. There’s also plenty of room for cargo behind the second-row seats, ideal for everything from grocery shopping to road trips.
The BMW X5 also offers a spacious and high-quality interior, with standard features including power-adjustable heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and customizable ambient lighting. Enhancing the luxury appeal are upgrades such as massaging seats, remote start, and soft-close doors, but remember, that’ll increase the price you pay.
Safety and Reliability
Lexus offers many standard driver-assistance features on its new cars and SUVs, and the RX is no different. Every RX comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and road sign assist. It also offers blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors to ensure you’re covered from all angles.
The 2025 BMW X5 includes a similarly strong safety package. It offers an active driving assistant as a standard feature, which covers forward collision mitigation, active blind-spot detection, and lane-keeping assistance. You can add adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, handy for keeping a safe distance in San Jose traffic. You’ll also find an active protection system that gets the car ready if a crash seems imminent by tightening the seatbelts and rolling up the windows.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 9.8-inch infotainment touch screen sits at the center of the RX’s updated dashboard, but if you prefer, you can upgrade to a 14.0-inch display. Similar to the smaller NX SUV, the infotainment screen is slightly tilted toward the driver and uses Lexus’ newest software interface. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and options such as navigation, a head-up display, and a Mark Levinson stereo system give you the chance to create your perfect driving space.
In the BMW X5, a curved display screen occupies two-thirds of the dashboard. A 12.3-inch screen located behind the steering wheel functions as the gauge display, while a larger 14.9-inch touch screen allows you access to BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which can also be controlled with a rotary knob mounted on the center console. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot.
Pricing and Value for Money
The 2025 Lexus RX starts at $50,475, with its highest trim starting at $68,650. This makes it a more budget-friendly choice than the 2025 BMW X5, which starts at $66,300 and reaches a starting price of $127,200 for the sporty M Competition. The RX’s most notable aspects are its comfortable interior, solid build, and good fuel economy, especially in hybrid versions.
When it comes to value, the Lexus RX is a great pick with its lower starting price, reliable performance, and lower maintenance costs. It strikes an impressive balance between luxury and practicality, making it a strong choice in the midsize luxury SUV market. The BMW X5 offers a more engaging driving experience, high-tech features, and a more obviously luxurious interior, but these benefits come with a higher price tag.
Experience the 2025 Lexus RX With Lexus Stevens Creek
In the showdown between the 2025 Lexus RX and 2025 BMW X5, both models offer their own unique perks, but we think the RX offers you more for your money. Want to see for yourself? Visit us at Lexus of Stevens Creek to take the RX for a test-drive and discover all the amazing features it has to offer. Let’s find out which SUV you’ll truly connect with.
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