2025 BMW X7 vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 BMW X7 exuded a bold presence, appealing to those who appreciated a full-size luxury SUV with a commanding stance. Despite its size, it wasn't as massive as some of its truck-based competitors, but it still managed to capture attention with its distinctive styling. The 2023 facelift introduced stacked quad headlights and an illuminated grille, enhancing its unique look. The M Sport Package added sporty elements like 22-inch wheels and a dynamic exterior trim, though some interior features felt like a mix of luxury and gimmickry, with optional extras like carbon-fiber trim and crystal shift toggles.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a more conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. This approach resulted in a spacious SUV with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized functionality, with a focus on practicality over opulence. The Platinum trim added a touch of luxury with leather and artificial suede upholstery, but the use of hard plastics in some areas was noticeable. The Grand Highlander offered a comfortable ride, though the design of the rear doors posed challenges for families with small children.

The 2025 BMW X7 offered a range of powertrains, all equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The xDrive40i model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The M60i xDrive boasted a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. For those seeking ultimate performance, the Alpina XB7 provided 631 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The X7's sophisticated chassis technology, including rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, contributed to its nimble handling and comfortable ride.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a choice between efficiency and performance. The Hybrid Max powertrain combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 362 horsepower. This setup provided brisk acceleration and a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max delivered a smooth ride, though its handling was more secure than sporty, with early tire squeal and understeer when pushed hard.

The 2025 BMW X7 offered flexible seating configurations, accommodating six or seven passengers. It provided ample headroom across all rows, surpassing some competitors in this regard. Cargo space was generous, with 48.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 90.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. However, the space behind the third row was limited, and the split tailgate design, while practical, contributed to this constraint. The X7's towing capacity of 7,500 pounds was respectable, though not class-leading.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. The Platinum trim featured upscale materials, including leather and artificial suede upholstery. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which offered reasonable comfort for adults and tall teens. Cargo space behind the third row measured 20.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 BMW X7 featured a BMW Curved Display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The iDrive infotainment system, based on version 8.5, was user-friendly, with a rotary controller and real buttons for ease of use. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the voice recognition system had some issues with accuracy. The X7 also offered digital-key functionality and augmented reality navigation, though gesture control proved more trouble than it was worth.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various connected services. The system was intuitive, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously was a drawback. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. The Platinum trim included features like a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and a premium JBL audio system.

The 2025 BMW X7 included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. However, advanced features like adaptive cruise control and BMW's Highway Assistant were part of an optional package. The Highway Assistant offered lane-centering and automated lane-change functions but lacked the sophistication of systems like Cadillac's Super Cruise. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. While the safety tech generally operated well, some features, like the lane-keep assist, required occasional manual correction. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of IIHS's Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.