Yes a comparably-equipped X5 is going to cost more than a comparably-equipped RX, but in life you get what you pay for. If you want the best, the ultimate driving machine, the nicest interior, the timeless styling that will draw heads, the best tech in the business, then it's going to cost what it'll cost. If a lot of that isn't a priority and you want a vehicle that is excellent value and good in a lot of areas then there is no alternative to the Lexus RX. It's a great vehicle and it's the #1 selling luxury vehicle in America for a reason. Ultimately, automobiles are a depreciating asset so it is wise to make logical buying decisions. The Lexus fits that mold.

 

A 3 yo BMW X5 has better interior materials ?? you must be on drugs ?lol seriously that is absurd . its not even close . And a Honda MDX is better ?? are you sure you drove the right car ? lol ...oh Wait ...and its slower than the previous model too ....just ridiculous comments

 

A 3 year old X5 has better interior materials than a 3 year old RX yes. As to the new RX? I'd say they're as good. The new X5 that came out in 2014 is significantly nicer inside than the previous X5.

As to the MDX, yes its "slower" than the previous model, but its a 3 row family hauler...does anybody really care?

 

I just finished reading 4 pages of "disappointment". LOL!
the problem is, buyers don't know what they want.
I said it before, and I will say it again.. Don't buy an SUV/CUV/SAV and expect it to drive like a sedan and curve corners.
you will be disappointed.


Don't get a crossover if you will do a lot of offroading ( the real one) not the Mall-soccer practice-home off roading that most people do.


when I need to haul, I don't take the RX.
but if I just need to move people, like most of the times, I use my RX

 

Then you must have a stripped down X5. I've got a 2015 X5 35d with Mocha Nappa leather, Leather dash and multi-countour seats. The new RX doesn't come close to the interior quality of my X5.

Glad I didn't wait as I was disappointed. Not to mention I'm getting 31mpg on my X5d.... Oh.. and I paid $63k for my X5 which listed for $70k. Good luck getting a discount on the RX for the next year....


I'm not a Lexus basher... owned 2 GX470's and loved em. If they would have introduced a diesel version of the GX, I'd been all over it. But the 2016 RX is ugly as well as underwhelming to drive....

 

I don't have a stripped down version, but I do not have the nappa leather. My MSRP was $70,270. It is also not my first X5. The seats are not as comfortable as the RX. My husband drives the X5. I loved my 530, but I think the X5 is boring on the outside and inside. The inside has always been more or less the same. You cannot say that the screen on the RX is not cooler and situated in a better location than the BMW. I can see people thinking the RX is ugly, especially if they cannot look outside the box! It is unique and not the boring every day box you see. We are not going to all think alike. I have owned more BMW's than Lexus, but now will probably only get Lexus vehicles primarily due to reliability. The BMW did save my life when I got hit by a dump truck while I was at a stop sign and he was going 55 mph. However, BMW sucks in reliability. I never thought I would leave BMW and when I see the new 5 series next year, I might have to go back.

I don't understand why people that own a BMW feel like they have to defend it against the RX. You can't buy an X5 for $43,XXX and you can't buy a RX350 for $70,XXX plus. You cannot beat the smooth ride and reliability of the RX350. If you say you can, you are full of ****.

I also do not mind paying MSRP for a vehicle if that is what everyone is paying. I hate negotiating. I negotiate vehicles for my business, family, and friends. I paid MSRP for my 2014 Range Rover Sport when it was almost impossible to get one. It just makes it easy. When vehicles are heavily discounted, it is not usually a good sign.

 

Are you not on Bimmerforums since you own a BMW? Have you not read about our carbon build up? CBA on diesel? People with their 14, 15 models mention spending weeks in the shop just with their X5 diesel. As a matter of fact, last time I checked cargurus I saw almost 15K-20K off for a 14 or 15 X5 diesel. Hope you are leasing because this issue will not be covered by BMW. Just wanted to let you know as I have been on their forums for the past 5 years.

 

It sounds like he got a bad deal for $63,000! When vehicles are heavily discounted, you have to wonder!

 

Hold your horses there with all the hyperbole. The ultimate driving machine is a marketing jargon created by the shrewd folks at BMW to get people to believe they are paying (over) for some ultimate driving machine. Reality is that, Bimmers are a commodity automobile product just like the rest of the cars the average car buyer can get. It's neither exotic or ultimate, leave that to the ultra rich. I have owned Bimmers before so I know what I am talking about, they drive well and give you some cheap thrills and if you overdo it then the flashing blue lights will be behind you before too long. Regarding draw heads, it depends on where you live, in my town, no one really bothers much about a BMW, pretty much anyone with a half decent job can lease one. Nicest interior - well, that's the first time I heard someone calling BMW interior nicer than Lexus. If anything it is spartan and the seats actually are hard, they have the same outdated looks for ages. Lastly, the tech can be really lousy. There are far too many electrical problems on these and they can fail without any notice even on a brand new car. I have had several failures on mine. You are right about one thing, they will cost you money, lots of it, in maintenance and repairs and they depreciate a lot quicker. BMW's a nice if you like to lease one and enjoy a bit of it for 3 years, then you give it back and get back to your Lexus or Toyota for long term ownership. This is why I own a Lexus and a Toyota now.

 

Having worked for Acura and driven the 15 MDX, I can say that the ride quality/comfort is well below that of an RX. The RX soaks up bumps and wafts over the road whereas the MDX rides like it has shocks from an 05 Accord...bump absorption is a complete failure.. same goes for a 14, 15 RLX. The TLX however rides a lot better. In terms of luxury, Lexus has always been and always will be steps above Acura.

 

This thread gets better and better.

Simple matter of the fact. If you cant handle the heat, dont play with fire.

Look at the end of the day, Lexus has something amazing going on with the RX. Its a Reliable Luxury Crossover, that basically costs nothing to own. With the L finesse etc design language its found an aggressive styling pattern that people are not running away from. They have also found what BMW has found with the M Sport moniker. Basically a design package plus maybe a stiffer ride then the base luxury RX. Its working wonders for the bottom line.

Would I say they have outdone the germans....hell no. The customization options, performance, and design (this one is subjective) has not been surpassed by Lexus. Lexus knows they wont get new customers by outdoing the germans (looking at you caddy). They want to get new customers without sacrificing (not too much at least) their current market dominance.

Also, I can rattle out RX, ML Q7, XC90, X5, Cayenne, T-egg, MDX, etc etc. Note that the reason these models all have annual sales, is because they are all good at something individually. Not one of those vehicles can be considered the most superior as its impossible to design a vehicle that appeals to every buyer. Hence the bickering about one vehicle is the king of them all is plain ridiculous.

Drive each car, viscerally experience each vehicle, and then come back and determine which one is better.

IMO:
Best Drivers CUV: Cayenne
Most Reliable: RX
Best Value Oriented Driver: X5
Safest Vehicle: XC90
Most Comfort oriented: ML
Best Bang For Buck Luxury: MDX
Wanna drive A Cayenne for half the price: T-Egg
Need A 7 Row with some driving creds: Q7

Again thats my lists, Im not gonna force anyone to agree with me lol

 

Nice post. It makes sense. One thing that is clear is that the competition is good. As consumers we win and the vehicles keep getting better. What a time to be shopping for a CUV or SUV. if you can't find something you like, you might not be looking hard enough.

 

Don't underestimate the Germans, it is almost 2 seconds quicker then RX4, interior is just as nice. It is because Lexus is using a 10 year old engine, an updated one and its it is more reliable versus German turbos installed and innovation year after year, which could cause heating and engine problems in the longer term, Germans have better handling, acceleration and braking. Not that I am a fan boy of any brand.

 

HUGE difference.

I don't have an X5 or an RX.

Just FYI, you do know that discounting on the RX is huge right? Lexus vehicles are more heavily discounted than BMW vehicles for sure.

Even the new RX, give it a few months and you'll be buying it for 10% under MSRP.

 

Did we skim posts again? LOL

1) RX4 is not the same as the RX
2) I did not underestimate or overestimate the European offerings by my personal list. Read it when you have the time
3) Without pointing to independent studies of Long Term Reliability on FI engines vs NA engines, that statement is anecdotal at best. I.E I could make the claim that an FI engine would be more reliable since the demand on the engine is far greater. Higher Engineering Tolerances would need to be in place to make sure the engine components can handle demanding loads. But without factual evidence to support my claim, its anecdotal at best. If you are saying however that the the 2GR model line has been a tough workhorse, due to internal statistics of problems per 100K sold, then yea for sure I`d agree.