It looks like the redesign is long overdue: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 0 [th]2013 x5[th]2013 450h[th]metric 1 [tr][td2]19[td2]32[td]City where hybrids excel 2 [tr][td2]26[td2]28[td]Highway 3 [tr][td2]22[td2]30[td]Combined 4 [tr][td2]All-Wheel[td2]Front-Wheel[td]Drive 5 [tr][td2]diesel[td2]premium[td]fuel 6 [tr][td2]412[td2]688[td]April 2013 sales 7 [tr][td2]$56 700[td2]$46 310[td]MSRP 2013 Source: Fuel Economy The more interesting competition will be between VW TDI models and the new Chevy Cruise diesel: Chevy Cruze Turbo Diesel | PriusChat The specs are so similar yet some of VW TDI models have sold as high as 4,000 units/month. The Cruse diesel has better highway mileage thanks in part to the radiator inlet vanes so the 'race is on.' Bob Wilson
Fueleconomy.gov has the X5 listed as a standard SUV. The X3 and RX are classified as small SUV. Whatever Lexus that is based on the Land Cruiser might be more comparable to the X5.
I'm not sure so I went back: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 0 [th]2013 X5 35d[th]Highlander 4WD[th]Lexus 450h AWD[th]metric 1 [tr][td2]3.0L[td2]3.5L[td2]3.5L[td]engine displacement 2 [tr][td2]auto (S6)[td2]auto CVT[td2]Auto (AV-S6)[td]transmission 3 [tr][td2]19 MPG[td2]28 MPG[td2]30 MPG[td]City EPA 4 [tr][td2]22 MPG[td2]28 MPG[td2]29 MPG[td]Combined EPA 5 [tr][td2]26 MPG[td2]28 MPG[td2]28 MPG[td]Highway EPA 6 [tr][td2]$56 700[td2]$46 370[td2]$47 710[td]MSRP 7 [tr][td2]Std. SUV[td2]Std. SUV[td2]Small SUV[td]EPA class Source: Compare Side-by-Side The engine displacements are close, the Toyotas a little larger. The highway mileage is close, the Toyotas a little better. All three have four-wheel drive and cost an arm-and-leg. Better? Bob Wilson
I own a RX and it's def. smaller and lighter than X5. Curb weight wise, I am sure there's a substancial difference. The 3 Liter in the X5 is the smallest motor option as well.
The X5 was the only diesel listed at www.fueleconomy.gov that I could find. The other models came up a gasoline engine. If you don't like the 450h, take the Highlander, same class. A difference without a distinction. Bob Wilson
My point was the X5 is a heavier and slightly larger car than RX so comparison in term of MPG isn't fair.