Compare the2025 BMW X3VS 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The X3 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 X3 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 X3 and the Land Cruiser have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

	X3	Land Cruiser
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	96	205
Neck Injury Risk	32.2%	38.7%
Neck Stress	262 lbs.	517 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	61 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	119	238
Neck Stress	168 lbs.	277 lbs.
Neck Compression	71 lbs.	84 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

	X3	Land Cruiser
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
HIC	162	332
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	472 lbs.	702 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the X3, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.7% less likely to roll over than the Land Cruiser, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

The X3 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 X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Land Cruiser’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Land Cruiser (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

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 X3’s reliability 11 points higher than the Land Cruiser.

Engine

The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (393 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Land Cruiser:

	X3	Land Cruiser
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	86.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Land Cruiser:

			MPG
X3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 hwy
Land Cruiser
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/25 hwy

Both the X3 and Land Cruiser have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The X3 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Toyota Land Cruiser (5). This means the X3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Land Cruiser every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The X3 M50’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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3 M50 xDrive’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Land Cruiser:

	X3 M50 xDrive	Land Cruiser
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.5 inches	13.1 inches

The X3 stops shorter than the Land Cruiser:

	X3	Land Cruiser
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	117 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Land Cruiser 1958’s standard 70 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Land Cruiser’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Land Cruiser 1958. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Land Cruiser.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X3 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota Land Cruiser has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X3 offers an optional 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 X3 30 xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the Land Cruiser pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 30 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.9 seconds quicker than the Land Cruiser (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 29.7 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Land Cruiser (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1200 pounds less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The X3 is 9.2 inches shorter than the Land Cruiser, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X3 is 10.3 inches shorter in height than the Land Cruiser, making the X3 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X3’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.

Passenger Space

The X3 has .4 inches more front headroom, 7.2 inches more front legroom and 9.6 inches more rear legroom than the Land Cruiser.

The front step up height for the X3 is 4.5 inches lower than the Land Cruiser (18.5” vs. 23”). The X3’s rear step up height is 6 inches lower than the Land Cruiser’s (18.5” vs. 24.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Land Cruiser with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 55.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’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 X3’s liftgate 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.

Servicing Ease

The X3 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.

Ergonomics

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’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 X3 and the Land Cruiser have standard heated front seats. The X3 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Land Cruiser.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional 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.

Recommendations

The BMW X3 outsold the Toyota Land Cruiser by almost three to one during 2024.

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