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BMW X4 vs BMW X5

2025 BMW X4 vs 2025 BMW X5 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW X4

2025 BMW X4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3BMW X4 wins 4 of 7 categories
BMW X5

2025 BMW X5

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The BMW X5 is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $100 a year less in fuel for the BMW X5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW X5 is the bigger car, about 5 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW X4 has had fewer recall campaigns (28 vs 85).

The two cars

The 2025 BMW X4 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,323 lb (M40i 4dr SUV).

The 2025 BMW X5 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,335 lb (M50i 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 X4 and the 2023 X5 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 X4 and the 2019 X5.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
25 MPG
22 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$3,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,300

Performance & space

248 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
617 hp
187.4 in
Length
192.1 in
75.6 in
Width
78 in
63.8 in
Height
68.9 in
4,147 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,978 lb

Safety & reliability

–
NHTSA overall rating
★★★★
11
Driver-assist features standard
9
1
Recalls (2025)
5
28
Recalls, all years since 2005
85
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
63

Interest

6,571
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,895

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2020
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW X4 if…

  • You want something easier to park (5 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (28 vs 85 recalls since 2005)

Choose the BMW X5 if…

  • You want more power (up to 617 vs 248 hp)
  • You want more room (5 in longer)

Pros & cons of each

2025 BMW X4

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 248 hp, versus about 335 hp for similar 2025 models.

2025 BMW X5

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2025 standard SUV (21 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 617 hp, versus about 456 hp for similar 2025 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2025 BMW X4 specs →Full 2025 BMW X5 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →