Compare the2023 Toyota VenzaVS 2023 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Venza are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Venza are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Venza and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Venza the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X4 has not been tested, yet.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Venza 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Venza’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Venza’s reliability 21 points higher than the X4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. BMW is ranked third.

On the EPA test cycle the Venza gets better mileage than the X4:

The Venza can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The X4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Venza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Venza higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X4 (5 to 7). This means the Venza produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X4 every 15,000 miles.

The Venza has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Venza LE’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the X4’s (36.1 feet vs. 39.8 feet). The Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the X4’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Venza has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X4 (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Venza to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Venza may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Venza has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (28.8 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The Venza’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Venza has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Venza has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Venza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Venza outsold the BMW X4 by over three to one during 2022.