Compare the2027 BMW X5 VS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 4Runner doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 4Runner doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X5 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with Braking with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro offers Parking Support Brake.

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 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

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 4Runner’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 4Runner’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 4Runner (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Toyota.

The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 116 more horsepower (394 vs. 278) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 317) than the 4Runner’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (394 vs. 323) than the 4Runner Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 68 more horsepower (394 vs. 326) than the 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
X5
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy

The X5 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (21.9 vs. 19 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 4Runner doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X5 has larger tires than the 4Runner (F:255/50R21 & R:284/45R21 vs. 245/70R17).

The X5’s 255/50R21 front and 284/45R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5’s standard 70 series tires. The X5’s tires are lower profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The X5’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X5 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 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the 4Runner (119.5 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

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 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The X5 has 1 inch more front headroom, 6.2 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, 3.9 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the 4Runner.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (27.3 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the 4Runner’s (7710 vs. 6000 pounds).

While the 4Runner Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro can only tow 5800, any X5 can tow a minimum of 7710 pounds.

The X5 has a higher standard payload capacity than the 4Runner (1477 vs. 1390 lbs.).

The X5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The 4Runner 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.

The X5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the 4Runner doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The X5’s optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the sport utility. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The X5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 4Runner’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The 4Runner 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 4Runner 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 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The BMW X5 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum.

The X5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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 4Runner.

The X5 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The BMW X5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

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. Only the 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter offers wireless charging. The X5 also offers Qi charging in the rear seat. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.