Compare the2025 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2025 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid and X4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The X4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Highlander Hybrid 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 Highlander Hybrid’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 Highlander Hybrid’s reliability 25 points higher than the X4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander Hybrid gets better mileage than the X4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander Hybrid 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 stopping power the Highlander Hybrid’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 1.8 inches wider in the front and .2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X4.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the X4’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Highlander Hybrid offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X4 can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 41.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (139.5 vs. 97.8).

The Highlander Hybrid has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the X4.

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X4 (1485 vs. 957 lbs.).

The Highlander Hybrid has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X4 (1485 vs. 1010 lbs.).

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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

The Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander Hybrid will cost $3160 to $4185 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

The Highlander Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Highlander Hybrid will retain 55.94% to 57.42% of its original price after five years, while the X4 only retains 50.9% to 52.34%.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the BMW X4 by almost 18 to one during 2023.