Vehicle comparison
BMW X5 vs Lexus RX 350
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Lexus RX 350 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Lexus RX 350 costs about $2050 per year, roughly $89 less than the BMW X5. Over 5 years, that's about $446 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | BMW X5 | Lexus RX 350 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Premium gas | Premium gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 21 | 21 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 26 | 28 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 23 | 24 |
| Tank / Battery | 22 gal | 17.2 gal |
| Energy cost | $4.10/gal | $4.10/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.178 | $0.171 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | BMW X5 | Lexus RX 350 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1426/yr · $119/mo | $1367/yr · $114/mo | $59 (Lexus RX 350) |
| 12,000 | $2139/yr · $178/mo | $2050/yr · $171/mo | $89 (Lexus RX 350) |
| 15,000 | $2674/yr · $223/mo | $2563/yr · $214/mo | $111 (Lexus RX 350) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Lexus RX 350
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Lexus RX 350Best for road trips
Lexus RX 350
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Lexus RX 350Best for families
Lexus RX 350
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Lexus RX 350Best for lowest running cost
Lexus RX 350
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Lexus RX 350How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the BMW X5 or Lexus RX 350?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Lexus RX 350 costs about $2050 per year vs $2139 for the BMW X5 — roughly $89 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the BMW X5 and Lexus RX 350?
The BMW X5 is rated around 23 combined MPG versus 24 MPG for the Lexus RX 350. Highway figures are 26 vs 28.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $10696 for the BMW X5 and $10250 for the Lexus RX 350, a difference of roughly $446.
Is the BMW X5 or Lexus RX 350 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Lexus RX 350 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Lexus RX 350 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.