BMW X5 vs Lexus TX

The 2026 BMW X5 lineup in Canada featured four models, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): xDrive40i, xDrive50e, M60i, and X5 M Competition. Prices ranged from $92,420 to $156,420, excluding the federal luxury tax applicable to prices above $100,000. The test vehicle, an X5 M60i, boasted a Manhattan Green paint job, 22-inch wheels, Merino leather upholstery, carbon fibre interior trim, Bowers & Wilkins audio, and all five available option packages. The design elements of the 2026 X5 echoed the original model, with wide kidney grilles, a four-element headlight array, and taillights that horizontally bled into the rear liftgate. The interior aimed for simplicity with a panoramic curved display and minimized controls, enhanced by metallic accents, carbon fibre inlays, and artful metal speaker grilles. Quality was evident in the glass controls, sophisticated display graphics, and the feel of the upholstery, making the X5 seem worth its price, especially with ambient lighting and the panoramic Sky Lounge LED sunroof.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages depending on the powertrain, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package by default and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The TX's design included a large grille reminiscent of the older “spindle grille” shape, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Three interior colour options were available: standard grey, Birch, and Peppercorn. Ambient lighting added warmth, but the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastic scattered throughout. Redesigned door handles reacted to pressure rather than engaging a mechanical lever, which was a novel but unnecessary change. The TX's interior was spacious, with a third row that included a recline function and ample headroom, making it comfortable for full-sized adults.

The 2026 BMW X5 offered a range of six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powertrains. The M60i test car featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 532 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The standard xDrive AWD and 22-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero performance tires ensured smooth power delivery. Fuel consumption varied, with an official rating of 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and observed figures between 11.2 and 14.3 L/100 km. The X5 M60i was a hefty SUV, weighing 2,429 kilograms, with a high centre of gravity that affected its ride on uneven surfaces. The M Sport brakes and performance tires provided confidence, while the ride was firm and communicative. The X5 had a maximum towing capacity of 3,265 kilograms.

The base Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model had an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 featured electronically controlled full-time AWD, while the TX 500h had Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode offering increased throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2026 BMW X5 accommodated five passengers in two rows. The M60i's front seats offered numerous adjustments, including thigh support and massage options. A heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats were standard. The four-zone automatic climate control occasionally lost effectiveness due to the engine start/stop system. Rear seat comfort was acceptable, with ample headroom but limited leg support. The X5 provided 960 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,047 litres with the seats folded. The split-opening power liftgate was convenient but made accessing items near the back seat challenging for shorter individuals.

The Lexus TX featured three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. A one-touch button facilitated entry to the third row, but folding the second row flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. All TX models could tow up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2026 BMW X5 featured a BMW Curved Display with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The iDrive 8.5 infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a cloud-based navigation system. A digital assistant was available but had issues with Apple CarPlay. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system provided phenomenal sound. The infotainment screen had numerous menus, best explored when stationary.

The Lexus TX had a 14-inch colour touchscreen that was easy to use but lacked some features, such as manual satellite radio station input. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume but were multi-functional and unlabeled. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but occasionally conflicted with the native audio system. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera was clear, and the Advanced Park system was available. The TX had seven USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2026 BMW X5 came standard with high beam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The adaptive cruise control was cautious, and lane keep features degraded off highways. The NHTSA gave the X5 a four-star overall rating, while the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The Lexus TX included Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, with features like forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. Adaptive cruise control worked well but was slow to respond in traffic. The NHTSA rated the TX five stars for crash safety, while the IIHS gave it an “Acceptable” rating for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and “Good” for the passenger’s side.