Verdict
At RM470,800, the BMW X5 costs just RM1,912 more than the RM468,888 Lexus RX, yet its 308 hp/540 Nm hybrid powertrain reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds against 7.6 seconds. It is roomier on paper too, with a 2,975-mm wheelbase and 650-litre boot versus 2,850 mm and 612 litres. The RX counters with a five-year manufacturer warranty rather than two years, plus RM754 annual road tax against RM1,637. For a Malaysian buyer, the X5’s pace and air suspension are tempting, but the Lexus’s warranty and RM883 yearly tax saving matter.
Pick the BMW X5 if 5.4-second acceleration, a 650-litre boot, adaptive air suspension and auto parking matter more than lower road tax.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want a five-year manufacturer warranty, RM754 annual road tax and heated, ventilated front and rear seats.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; Lexus RX RM468,888.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X5 5.4 seconds; Lexus RX 7.6 seconds.
- Wheelbase and boot space: BMW X5 2,975 mm and 650 litres; Lexus RX 2,850 mm and 612 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW X5 two years; Lexus RX five years.
- Annual road tax: BMW X5 RM1,637; Lexus RX RM754.
X5
- 308 hp and 540 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
- 650-litre boot and 2,975-mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers and auto parking.
- RM1,912 pricier than the Lexus RX.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the RX’s five years.
- RM1,637 annual road tax versus RM754.
RX
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and RM754 annual road tax.
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats, with power rear recline and folding.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Qi wireless charger.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds, against the X5’s 5.4 seconds.
- 612-litre boot is 38 litres smaller than the X5’s 650 litres.
- No panoramic sliding sunroof or auto parking, both fitted to the X5.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800 | RM468,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 275 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 612 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X5 & RX for sale
X5 vs RX FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Lexus RX better?
The X5 is better for outright performance, boot capacity and adaptive air suspension. Choose the RX if its five-year manufacturer warranty, RM754 annual road tax and heated, ventilated rear seats matter more than its 7.6-second acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM470,800 and the Lexus RX costs RM468,888, so the X5 is RM1,912 more expensive.
Which has the better rear-seat equipment?
The RX has power-folding and reclining 40:20:40 rear seats that are heated and ventilated. The X5 has 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, but does get dual-zone rear climate control versus the RX’s single-zone system.