Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2026 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Grand Highlander 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 X7 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Grand Highlander 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 X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Grand Highlander achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The BMW X7 has not been tested.

The Toyota Grand Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the BMW X7 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Grand Highlander and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Grand Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 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 Grand Highlander’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 8th.

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the X7:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Grand Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW X7 (4 to 6). This means the Grand Highlander produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X7 every 15,000 miles.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X7 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the X7 w/Integral Active Steering’s (38.1 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Grand Highlander’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (38.1 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

The Toyota Grand Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1150 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The Grand Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the X7 can only carry 7.

The Grand Highlander has 1.9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row headroom, .2 inches more third row legroom and 9.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The Grand Highlander’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Grand Highlander has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X7 (1750 vs. 1180 lbs.).

The Grand Highlander has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X7 (1755 vs. 1316 lbs.).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Grand Highlander has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The X7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has an 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Grand Highlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 41.98% resale value of the 2025 BMW X7 after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $34720 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The X7 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Toyota Grand Highlander outsold the BMW X7 by over two to one during 2024.