Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
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’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 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 4Runner 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 4Runner doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X3. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

The BMW X3’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Toyota 4Runner only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function 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 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 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X3 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 and rear 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the X3 is much safer than the 4Runner:

	X3	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 4Runner is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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

Reliability

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.

Engine

The X3 has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

	Horsepower
X3 M50 xDrive 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	393 HP
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	278 HP
4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	326 HP

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	X3	4Runner turbo 4 cyl.	4Runner Trailhunter
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.5 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.3 sec	20.2 sec	21.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.8 sec	8.2 sec	7.4 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.6 sec	3.9 sec	4.1 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.4 sec	5.2 sec	4.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.7 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	90 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	115 MPH	112 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

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

Regardless of its engine, the X3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

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 4Runner 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 4Runner:

	X3 M50 xDrive	4Runner
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.5 inches	13.2 inches

The X3 stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	X3	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	127 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 4Runner SR5’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 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum.

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 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.8 seconds quicker than the 4Runner Trailhunter (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 4Runner SR5 (8.3 vs. 8.1 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 300 to 950 pounds less than the Toyota 4Runner.

The X3 is 7.7 inches shorter than the 4Runner, making the X3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X3 is 7.2 inches shorter in height than the 4Runner, 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 4Runner doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The X3 has .8 inches more front headroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear hip room than the 4Runner.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The X3 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.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers a 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 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 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 door.

The X3’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.

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 4Runner 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 4Runner 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 4Runner 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 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The BMW X3 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 BMW X3 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 X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter offers wireless charging.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot 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 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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