Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Lexus RX

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The RX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X3. But it costs extra on the RX.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The RX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The BMW X3’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Lexus RX only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the X3 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X3	RX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	96	165
Neck Stress	262 lbs.	301 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	119	472
Neck Compression	71 lbs.	114 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lexus RX:

	X3	RX
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
HIC	162	317
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	472 lbs.	919 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

Engine

The X3 has more powerful engines than the RX:

	Horsepower	Torque
X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	255 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
X3 M50 xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	393 HP	428 lbs.-ft.
RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	246 HP	233 lbs.-ft.
RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
RX 450h+ Luxury 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	366 HP	406 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X3 is faster than the Lexus RX:

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	RX 350h	RX 350
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	4 sec	7.4 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	12.6 sec	15.7 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	109.7 MPH	89.2 MPH	89.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the RX running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
X3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 hwy
RX
	FWD	350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	500h 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy

Both the X3 and the RX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All X3s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The RX 350h/500h doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The X3 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X3 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

The X3 stops much shorter than the RX:

	X3	RX
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the RX (245/50R19 vs. 235/60R19). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 235/60R19).

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’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks. The RX 350h suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the RX’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.3 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the RX 350h (8.5 vs. 8.2 inches).

Chassis

The X3 is 5.3 inches shorter than the RX, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The X3 has 1 inch more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room and 2.1 inches more rear hip room than the RX.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (4001 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

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 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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