Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 BMW iX

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In 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 iX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In 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 iX 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The iX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the iX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available around view monitors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the iX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the iX 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 Rav4 Plug-In 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 25 points higher than the iX.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the iX:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The iX’s range is only 284 to 309 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 40 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 33 hours.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the iX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the iX xDrive50’s (36.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1450 to 1500 pounds less than the BMW iX.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is 1 foot, 2.1 inches shorter than the iX, making the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The iX’s rear seats don’t recline.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the iX’s liftover is 30.3 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. The iX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Plug-In 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 iX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much higher standard payload capacity than the iX (1295 vs. 1003 lbs.).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the iX (1295 vs. 1054 lbs.).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the iX only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The iX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The iX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the BMW iX by over 25 to one during 2023.