Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2013 BMW X5 VS 2013 Lexus GX460 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX460 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the GX460 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the GX460’s (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 4 years and 50,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotation, lubrication and any other scheduled maintenance. Lexus doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GX460.

There are over 77 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

The camshafts in the X5’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The GX460’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the GX460’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X5 has a standard 210 amp alternator (220 amp - X5 xDrive50i). The GX460’s 130 amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the X5 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the X5’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GX460’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The X5 xDrive50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 99 more horsepower (400 vs. 301) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (450 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

The X5’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (425 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the X5 xDrive35i is faster than the Lexus GX460:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive35d gets better fuel mileage than the GX460 (19 city/26 hwy vs. 15 city/20 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle t he X5 xDrive35i gets better fuel mileage than the GX460 (16 city/23 hwy vs. 15 city/20 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX460 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the X5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX460:

The X5 stops much shorter than the GX460:

For better traction, the X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX460 (F:275/40R20 & R:315/35R20 vs. 265/60R18).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX460’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the GX460’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GX460’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The GX460 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX460 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the GX460 (115.5 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the GX460.

The X5 xDrive35i handles at .89 G’s, while the GX460 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive35i performs Car and Driver’s emergency lane change maneuver 3.8 MPH faster than the GX460 (57.8 vs. 54 MPH).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX460 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Lexus GX460.

Unibody construction makes the X5’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The GX460 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the X5 xDrive35d is quieter than the GX460 (64 vs. 66 dB).

The X5 has 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the GX460.

The front step up height for the X5 is 2.2 inches lower than the GX460 (19.5” vs. 21.7”). The X5’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the GX460’s (19.5” vs. 22”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30 inches, while the GX460’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the X5 offers an optional power rear tailgate, which opens and closes completely automatically by pressing a button on the key fob. The GX460 doesn’t offer a power right swing out.

The X5 offers an optional heads-up display which projects speed and navigation instruction readouts onto the windshield, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX460 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left down on the X5 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the GX460 can only raise the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GX460 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X5’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX460’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

Optional BMW Apps for the X5 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations, tagging songs to buy them later, following twitter accounts and other online activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The GX460 doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “5” insurance rate while the GX460 is rated higher at a number “8” rate.