Compare

BMW X5 vs BMW X7

2026 BMW X5 vs 2026 BMW X7 — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW X5

2026 BMW X5

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 3BMW X7 wins 3 of 5 categories
BMW X7

2026 BMW X7

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The BMW X5 is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the BMW X5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW X7 is the bigger car, about 11 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW X7 has had fewer recall campaigns (33 vs 85).

The two cars

The 2026 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 5,558 lb (M60i 4dr SUV).

The 2026 BMW X7 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 204 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,089 lb (M60i 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2023 X5 and the 2022 X7 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 X5 and the 2020 X7.

Basics

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

Efficiency

25 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
23 city
City / highway MPG (best)
21 city
$3,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,550

Performance & space

523 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
523 hp
192.1 in
Length
203.5 in
78 in
Width
78.7 in
68.9 in
Height
72 in
5,181 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,772 lb

Safety & reliability

9
Driver-assist features standard
10
2
Recalls (2026)
2
85
Recalls, all years since 2005
33
28
Owner complaints (latest year)
7

Interest

25,895
Wikipedia views, 30 days
10,389

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2022
2019
Year to avoid
2020

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW X5 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (25 vs 23 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (11 in shorter)

Choose the BMW X7 if…

  • You want more room (11 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (33 vs 85 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 BMW X5

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
  • 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.

2026 BMW X7

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 BMW X5 specs →Full 2026 BMW X7 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →