Like the Lexus RX 300, the X5 heralded the shift from light truck-based body-on-frame SUVs to crossovers underpinned by unibody car platforms that would come to fruition in the late 2000s.
La fel ca modelul Lexus RX 300, X5 a marcat trecerea de la SUV-urile bazate pe șasiu de vehicule ușoare, la crossover-uri, construite pe platforme de autovehicule unibody care au debutat la sfârșitul anilor 2000.