Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Lexus UX

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
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 UX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 UX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X3 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus UX has not been tested.

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

The X3 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The BMW X3’s optional Surround View offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Lexus UX lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the UX.

Both the X3 and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW X3 weighs 601 to 1080 pounds more than the Lexus UX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 UX:

	X3	UX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	96	116
Neck Injury Risk	32.2%	33%
Neck Stress	262 lbs.	371 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	119	290
Neck Compression	71 lbs.	94 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the X3 is much safer than the UX:

	X3	UX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	202/180 pounds	360/315 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	202/180 pounds	360/315 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	405/472 pounds	584/607 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lexus UX:

	X3	UX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	148 lbs.	149 lbs.
Hip Force	214 lbs.	323 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	292
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	472 lbs.	919 lbs.

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

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The UX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the UX’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 UX (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 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 59 more horsepower (255 vs. 196) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 197 more horsepower (393 vs. 196) and 276 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	UX
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	4 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	12.6 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	109.7 MPH	85.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the X3 and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The X3 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The X3 has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (17.2 vs. 10.6 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 UX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	UX
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	11.1 inches

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the UX:

	X3	UX
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the UX (245/50R19 vs. 225/50R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the UX (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 225/50R18).

The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the UX. The X3 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

The X3 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the UX (112.8 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the UX’s (57.6% to 42.4%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the UX AWD (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8.3 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is 2.2 inches higher than on the UX (8.5 vs. 6.3 inches).

Passenger Space

The X3 has 11 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (101.4 vs. 90.4).

The X3 has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 6.1 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (31.5 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The UX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The X3 has a 4001 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X3 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The X3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the X3 and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Access standard on the UX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 UX’s 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 UX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The UX F Sport’s 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.

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

The BMW X3 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the UX F Sport Handling.

The X3 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the UX Premium/F Sport. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the UX.

The BMW X3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the UX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the UX.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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

The BMW X3 outsold the Lexus UX by almost 8 to one during 2024.

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