BMW X3 vs BMW X5
Figures updated
The BMW X3 and BMW X5 are two of the UK's most popular large SUVs. We compare the G45 (2024–) X3 and the G05 (2018–) X5 on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 187,135 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the BMW X3 for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the BMW X5 for the bigger boot, the better MOT record and more performance.
- The BMW X3 is the cheapest to buy new: from £53,620, £23,390 less than the BMW X5.
- The BMW X5 has the biggest boot: 650 litres, 80 more than the BMW X3.
- The BMW X5 has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the BMW X3 fails its MOT about 16% more often.
- The BMW X3 is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £977 a year less than the BMW X5 at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | BMW X3G45 (2024–), 5-door SUV | BMW X5G05 (2018–), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £53,620 to £64,640July 2026 price list (best) | £77,010 to £84,875July 2026 price list |
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 570 litres / 1,700 | 650 litres / 1,870 (best) |
| Length | 4,755mm | 4,935mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,920mm | 2,004mm |
| Height | 1,660mm | 1,765mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 197–299 PS | 298–490 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 6.2–7.8 sec | 4.8–6.1 sec (best) |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2018) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 35.3–46.3 mpg | 21.8–53.3 mpg |
| CO2 | 64–175 g/km | 20–289 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,493 (39.2 mpg) (best) | £2,470 (23.7 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,461 (46.3 mpg) (best) | £1,869 (36.2 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,461 (diesel) | £1,869 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 130Well above average | 151Well above average (best) |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 20.5% | 20.5% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 11.0% (best) | 14.5% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 12.2% (best) | 13.2% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 26.7% | 16.1% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (2.3% of tests) | Condition (2.9% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 100,997 | 86,138 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Large SUV | Large SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 9,100 | 9,700 |
| On sale | 2024 on | 2018 on |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW X3 or the BMW X5 more reliable?
The BMW X5. Like for like on age and mileage, the BMW X3 fails its MOT about 16% more often (reliability scores 151 and 130, where 100 is average). 20.5% of BMW X5s and 20.5% of BMW X3s failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the BMW X3 or the BMW X5?
The BMW X5 is 180mm longer (4,935mm against 4,755mm). The BMW X5 has the bigger boot: 650 litres against 570.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the BMW X3 or the BMW X5?
The BMW X3: new prices start at £53,620, £23,390 less than the BMW X5 (from £77,010). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the BMW X3 or the BMW X5?
Comparing petrol versions, the BMW X3 costs about £977 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,493 against £2,470), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the BMW X3 or the BMW X5?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW X3 5 stars (2025) and the BMW X5 5 stars (2018). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the BMW X3 or the BMW X5?
Pick the BMW X3 for the lower price and lower fuel costs, or the BMW X5 for the bigger boot, the better MOT record and more performance. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.