Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 BMW X3 VS 2016 Lexus RX Near Scottsdale, AZ

Both the X3 and the RX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, daytime running lights, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the RX Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 40,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX Series (4/50,000 vs. 1/10,000).

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 X3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 9th.

The X3’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 267) than the RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 xDrive28d gets better fuel mileage than the RX 450h AWD (27 city/34 hwy vs. 30 city/28 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better fuel mileage than the RX Series:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the RX Series Hybrid.

Regardless of its engine, the X3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RX Series Hybrid.

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the RX Series (245/50R18 vs. 235/65R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX Series (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 235/65R18).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX Series’ standard 65 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R20 front and 275/35R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the RX Series’ optional 55 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RX Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 is 9.1 inches shorter than the RX Series, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X3 has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more front shoulder room than the RX Series.

The X3 has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat up than the RX Series with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 18.4 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo area with its rear seat folded than the RX Series with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RX Series doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The RX Series’ optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X3’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW X3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications: