Lexus RX vs BMW X5: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Lexus RX is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,230 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (RX 350h, 36 MPG combined), against $3,220 for the BMW X5 (X5 xDrive40i, 25 MPG combined). That is $990 a year, or $4,950 over five years.

A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs

Hybrid
Small SUVs

Lexus RX

Lowest fuel cost configuration

RX 350h

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$2,230

$14.87 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs

Hybrid
Standard SUVs

BMW X5

Lowest fuel cost configuration

X5 xDrive40i

Combined

City

Highway

Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.

Annual fuel cost

$3,220

$21.47 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

Lexus RX$2,230 a year · $14.87 per 100 mi
BMW X5$3,220 a year · $21.47 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$990

Lexus RX costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,950

$990 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Lexus RX and BMW X5 compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure	Lexus RX	BMW X5
Lowest-cost configuration	RX 350h	X5 xDrive40i
Powertrain	Hybrid	Hybrid
Combined rating	36 MPG (better)	25 MPG
City rating	37 MPG (better)	23 MPG
Highway rating	34 MPG (better)	27 MPG
Annual fuel cost	$2,230/yr (better)	$3,220/yr
Cost per 100 miles	$14.87 (better)	$21.47
Annual cost range, all configurations	$2,230–$3,380	$2,220–$5,410
Configurations in MY2026	4	5
EPA class	Small SUVs	Standard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Lexus RX and BMW X5
Powertrain	Lexus RX	BMW X5
Gas	25 MPG · $3,240/yr RX 350	Not offered in MY2026
Hybrid	36 MPG · $2,230/yr RX 350h	25 MPG · $3,220/yr X5 xDrive40i
Plug-in hybrid	Not offered in MY2026	22 MPG gas-only · $2,220/yr X5 xDrive50e

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Lexus RX

Lower annual fuel cost: $2,230 vs $3,220
Higher combined rating: 36 MPG vs 25 MPG
Higher city rating: 37 MPG vs 23 MPG
Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 27 MPG
Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the BMW X5 does not

BMW X5

Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Lexus RX does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Lexus RX and BMW X5
Model year	Lexus RX		BMW X5
Model year	Combined	Per year	Combined	Per year
2026	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,380	15–25 MPG	$2,220–$5,410
2025	24–36 MPG	$1,520–$3,380	15–25 MPG	$2,260–$5,410
2024	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,390	15–25 MPG	$3,220–$5,410
2023	24–36 MPG	$2,230–$3,390	15–23 MPG	$2,660–$5,360
2022	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,070	15–23 MPG	$2,660–$5,360
2021	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	15–23 MPG	$2,660–$5,360
2020	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	15–23 MPG	$3,560–$5,320
2019	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	19–22 MPG	$3,580–$4,290
2018	21–30 MPG	$2,700–$3,080	16–25 MPG	$2,770–$4,980
2017	22–30 MPG	$2,700–$2,990	17–25 MPG	$2,770–$4,670
2016	22–30 MPG	$2,650–$2,990	17–25 MPG	$2,760–$4,670
2015	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	17–27 MPG	$3,530–$4,660
2014	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,280	17–26 MPG	$3,630–$4,720
2013	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	16–22 MPG	$4,310–$4,950
2012	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,270	14–21 MPG	$4,340–$5,690
2011	20–29 MPG	$2,730–$3,930	14–22 MPG	$4,330–$5,740
2010	20–30 MPG	$2,680–$4,020	14–22 MPG	$4,290–$5,740
2009	19–20 MPG	$4,020–$4,230	16–22 MPG	$4,290–$5,020
2008	19–25 MPG	$3,210–$4,230	16–18 MPG	$4,460–$5,020
2007	19–26 MPG	$3,090–$4,230	16–18 MPG	$4,460–$5,020
2006	18–27 MPG	$2,420–$4,460	16 MPG	$5,020
2005	18–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,630	16 MPG	$5,020
2004	19–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,440	16 MPG	$5,020
2003	18 MPG	$3,630	14–16 MPG	$5,020–$5,740
2002	18 MPG	$3,630	13–16 MPG	$5,020–$6,180
2001	18 MPG	$3,630	14–16 MPG	$5,020–$5,740
2000	18–19 MPG	$3,440–$3,630	14 MPG	$5,740

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Lexus RX or the BMW X5?

The Lexus RX is cheaper: about $2,230 a year against $3,220 for the BMW X5, a difference of $990 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Lexus RX save over five years?

About $4,950 ($990 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Lexus RX or the BMW X5?

The Lexus RX is rated 36 MPG combined against 25 MPG for the BMW X5. City: 37 MPG vs 23 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 27 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Lexus RX and the BMW X5 in the same class?

The EPA classes the Lexus RX as Small SUVs and the BMW X5 as Standard SUVs, so they are listed as rivals.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles