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BMW X3 vs. Toyota Highlander

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X3 and Toyota Highlander contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW X3 and the Toyota Highlander.

When we compare the BMW X3's and the Toyota Highlander's specifications and ratings, The Toyota Highlander has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW X3's and the Toyota Highlander's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Highlander is a better car than the BMW X3.

Pricing: For a new model, the BMW X3's price is between $54,175 and $73,916, with the Toyota Highlander priced between $44,569 and $56,389.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X3 loses 53.9 percent of its value and the Toyota Highlander loses 41.8 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Highlander retains 12.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X3.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X3 is 8.4 out of 10 while the Toyota Highlander's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the BMW X3 being ranked 2 out of 28 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the Toyota Highlander being ranked 3 out of 34 Best SUVs with 3 Rows.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X3 is 7.7 out of 10. For the Toyota Highlander the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Highlander a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X3’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Toyota Highlander base engine makes 265 horsepower.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Toyota Highlander has higher safety ratings than the BMW X3, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.90 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
BMW X3
Toyota Highlander

2026 BMW X3
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BMW X3 for Sale

2025 Toyota Highlander
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Toyota Highlander for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

54175 - 73916

Starting MSRP:

50900

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

47438

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

24600 - 63100

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

44569 - 56389

Starting MSRP:

40320

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)

38382

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

31990 - 43000

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

Price Range:

-

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

59368

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

57126 - 63354

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

49825

Price Range:

42944 - 56895

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)

45804

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

36966 - 59949

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

27574

Depreciation %:

0.5417354

Resale Value $:

23326

Residual Value %:

0.4582646

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

0.5347415

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

0.44440421 - 0.60245917

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

17002

Depreciation %:

0.4216697

Resale Value $:

23318

Residual Value %:

0.5783303

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)

0.48432299

Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

0.30530799 - 0.56163117

BMW X3 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.4 / 10

Reliability:

7.7 / 10

Retained Value:

7.5 / 10

Safety:

9.9 / 10

Toyota Highlander Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

8.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X3

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

12.0

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

15.0

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)

12.0 - 16.3

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.065

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Highlander

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13.8

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)

10.9

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)

8.7 - 16.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.387



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

Typical Category Recalls:

N/A

Category Range for Recalls:

N/A

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.499754929635315

Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)

1.5 - 39.2

BMW X3 Rankings

Best Family Luxury Small SUVs

1 / 28

Best Luxury Small SUVs Under $60k

1 / 6

Best Luxury Small SUVs

2 / 28

Luxury Small SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

2 / 28

Best Luxury Crossover SUVs Under $60k

2 / 13

Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs Under $60k

2 / 6

Best Family Luxury Crossover SUVs

3 / 68

Best Luxury Small SUVs for Towing

3 / 28

Best Off-road Luxury Small SUVs

4 / 28

Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money

4 / 27

Most Reliable Luxury Crossover SUVs Under $60k

4 / 13

Best Luxury Small SUVs for Tall People

5 / 28

Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs

5 / 28

Best Luxury Crossover SUVs

6 / 68

Luxury Small SUVs with the Most Horsepower

7 / 28

Most Comfortable Luxury Small SUVs

10 / 28

Best Luxury Crossover SUVs for Tall People

12 / 68

Best Off-road Luxury Crossover SUVs

13 / 68

Most Reliable Luxury Crossover SUVs

16 / 68

Luxury Small SUVs with Best Resale Value

17 / 28

Most Affordable Luxury Small SUVs

18 / 27

Luxury Crossover SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

19 / 68

Luxury Small SUVs with the Most Legroom

20 / 28

Luxury Crossover SUVs with the Most Horsepower

21 / 68

Best Luxury Crossover SUVs for Towing

23 / 68

Most Comfortable Luxury Crossover SUVs

26 / 68

Most Affordable Luxury Crossover SUVs

32 / 64

Luxury Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

35 / 68

Luxury Crossover SUVs with the Most Legroom

48 / 68

Toyota Highlander Rankings

Best Crossover SUVs Under $40k

1 / 17

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs Under $40k

1 / 17

Best Midsize SUVs Under $40k

1 / 16

Most Reliable Midsize SUVs Under $40k

1 / 16

Best SUVs with 3 Rows Under $40k

1 / 10

Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows Under $40k

1 / 10

Best Family Crossover SUVs

3 / 67

Best Family SUVs with 3 Rows

3 / 34

Best SUVs with 3 Rows

3 / 34

Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows

3 / 34

Best Family Midsize SUVs

3 / 32

Best Midsize SUVs

3 / 32

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money

3 / 30

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs

4 / 67

SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value

4 / 34

Most Reliable Midsize SUVs

4 / 32

Best Midsize SUVs for the Money

4 / 28

Best Gas Mileage SUVs with 3 Rows

5 / 34

Best Gas Mileage Midsize SUVs

5 / 32

Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value

5 / 32

Best Crossover SUVs

6 / 67

Safest SUVs with 3 Rows

6 / 34

Safest Midsize SUVs

6 / 32

Best Crossover SUVs for Towing

7 / 67

Best Crossover SUVs for Tall People

9 / 67

Best Midsize SUVs for Towing

10 / 32

Best Midsize SUVs for Tall People

11 / 32

Crossover SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

12 / 67

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

13 / 67

Most Affordable SUVs with 3 Rows

13 / 30

Midsize SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

14 / 32

Most Comfortable Midsize SUVs

14 / 32

Most Comfortable Crossover SUVs

15 / 67

Safest Crossover SUVs

16 / 67

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Tall People

16 / 34

Most Comfortable SUVs with 3 Rows

17 / 34

Most Affordable Midsize SUVs

17 / 28

Best SUVs with 3 Rows for Towing

18 / 34

Midsize SUVs with the Most Legroom

19 / 32

Best Off-road Midsize SUVs

20 / 32

Best Crossover SUVs for the Money

21 / 56

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Cargo Space

24 / 34

Best Off-road SUVs with 3 Rows

25 / 34

Crossover SUVs with the Most Horsepower

26 / 67

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Legroom

27 / 34

Midsize SUVs with the Most Horsepower

27 / 32

SUVs with 3 Rows with the Most Horsepower

28 / 34

Best Off-road Crossover SUVs

30 / 67

Crossover SUVs with the Most Legroom

32 / 67

Best Gas Mileage Crossover SUVs

36 / 67

Most Affordable Crossover SUVs

47 / 56

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

BMW X3 Trim Levels

30 xDrive, M50 xDrive

Toyota Highlander Trim Levels

LE, Limited, Platinum, XLE, XSE

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

4 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

2 years

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.90 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

255 hp @ 4700 rpm

Torque:

295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.061 hp per pound

Towing capacity:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

265 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

310 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.064 hp per pound

Towing capacity:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Trailer Hitch:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Trailer Hitch:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

40.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

57.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.2 inches

Rear Leg Room:

36.3 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.7 inches

Cargo Space:

31.5 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

67.1 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

Not yet available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

41.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

42 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

59 inches

Rear Head Room:

39.4 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

58.7 inches

Cargo Space:

16 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

84.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

157.8 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

4176 lbs

Width:

83.9 inches

Height:

65.4 inches

Length:

187.2 inches

Wheelbase:

112.8 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

4155 lbs

Width:

76 inches

Height:

68.1 inches

Length:

194.9 inches

Wheelbase:

112.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

8 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

19.0 x 8.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

245/50R19

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 8.0 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P235/65R18

Exterior Colors

Black

Black Sapphire Metallic

Blue

Arctic Race Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic

Gray

Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Dune Grey Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic

Red

Vegas Red Metallic

White

Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic

Green

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Midnight Black Metallic

Blue

Blueprint

Gray

Magnetic Gray Metallic

Red

Ruby Flare Pearl

White

Wind Chill Pearl

Green

Cypress

Silver

Celestial Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Beige

Calm Beige

Black

Black / Black/Atlas Grey

Brown

Amber/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown

Gray

Not available

Interior Colors

Beige

Not available

Black

Black

Brown

Not available

Gray

Graphite

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