Compare the2025 BMW X5VS 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Land Cruiser uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the Land Cruiser have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Land Cruiser has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Land Cruiser’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Land Cruiser’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Land Cruiser (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

The X5 s/xDrive40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (375 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive50e’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 157 more horsepower (483 vs. 326) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 465) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 M60i xDrive’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 197 more horsepower (523 vs. 326) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 465) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW X5 is faster than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Land Cruiser:

The X550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions for 38 miles. The Land Cruiser can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the X5 and Land Cruiser have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The X5 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The X5 has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Land Cruiser (21.9 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Land Cruiser:

The X5 stops much shorter than the Land Cruiser:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Land Cruiser (275/45R20 vs. 245/70R18). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Land Cruiser (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/60R20).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Land Cruiser 1958’s standard 70 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Land Cruiser’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Land Cruiser 1958. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Land Cruiser.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M60i xDrive offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Toyota doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Land Cruiser.

The X5 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Land Cruiser’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the Land Cruiser (117.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is .7 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the Land Cruiser.

The X5 M60i xDrive handles at .86 G’s, while the Land Cruiser pulls only .69 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Land Cruiser (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Unibody construction lowers the X5’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Land Cruiser doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 has .7 inches more front headroom, 6.8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom and 10.7 inches more rear legroom than the Land Cruiser.

The front step up height for the X5 is 3.5 inches lower than the Land Cruiser (19.5” vs. 23”). The X5’s rear step up height is 4.5 inches lower than the Land Cruiser’s (20” vs. 24.5”).

The X5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Land Cruiser with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 55.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the Land Cruiser’s liftover is 35.6 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Land Cruiser is limited to 6000 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The X5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Land Cruiser uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Land Cruiser (except 1958), the X5 M60i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Land Cruiser, and is not available on all models.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Land Cruiser has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the X5 and the Land Cruiser have standard heated front seats. The X5 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Land Cruiser.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Land Cruiser.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Land Cruiser.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Professional can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.