When you say "rent" I assume you mean lease...or is it actually a rental? Speaking of which, the Enterprise rental place I pass by every day has a couple of Equinoxes on the lot..you might rent one for a few days for comparison. I have a friend with an 07 BWM X3 which I've only been a passenger in...but I think you can expect the Nox to not have quite as much power, and the handling won't be as good as the BMW. Having said that, the Nox has plenty of power with both the I4 and V6, and the handling is quite good. Also with the Nox you'll get better gas mileage and a more modern interior and much lower operating costs...especially after the warranty ends. Of course if you plan on leasing and getting a new car every two years that last part won't matter...just go with whatever you like and can afford.