BMW X7 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 BMW X7 was a full-size luxury SUV that exuded a commanding presence, appealing to buyers seeking a bold and distinctive vehicle. Despite its size, it wasn't as massive as some of its truck-based competitors, yet it maintained a swaggering presence with its oversized twin-kidney grille and stacked quad headlights. The post-facelift design, introduced in 2023, further distinguished the X7 from its smaller sibling, the X5, with features like optional nighttime illumination for the grille and a plethora of "M" badges on M Sport models. Inside, the X7's interior design was simple yet pleasant, though some optional features like carbon fibre trim and crystal shift toggles seemed more like a collection of luxury add-ons rather than cohesive design elements.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, took a more conservative approach to styling, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This resulted in a larger vehicle that offered seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized functionality, with a focus on practicality over form. While the Platinum trim added a layer of luxury, the use of glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces hinted at cost-saving measures. The climate system was straightforward and user-friendly, but the infotainment interface left room for improvement with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob.

The 2025 BMW X7 offered a range of powertrains, all equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The xDrive40i model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The M60i xDrive variant boasted a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine with 523 horsepower, achieving a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds. For those seeking even more performance, the Alpina XB7 delivered 631 horsepower from an upgraded V8, reaching 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The X7's sophisticated chassis technology, including rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, contributed to its nimble handling and comfortable ride, making it a sporty yet serene driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by the traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined, it offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. During testing, the Hybrid Max demonstrated rewarding acceleration and a soft, isolating ride quality, though its handling was secure only up to a modest point, with early tire scrub and squeal when pushed around corners.

The 2025 BMW X7 provided competitive interior space with six-seat or seven-seat configurations, offering more headroom in the front and second rows compared to some rivals. It had 1,376 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,560 litres with the second and third rows folded. However, the 362 litres of cargo capacity behind the third row was relatively limited. The X7's split tailgate was a practical feature, and its 3,400-kilogram towing capacity was respectable, though not class-leading.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid excelled in interior space, offering comfortable seating in all three rows and over 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured upscale materials like leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The Grand Highlander's rear doors, while long, posed challenges for child seat installation. The second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console provided flexibility for accessing the third row. With 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 2,761 litres with the second row folded, the Grand Highlander offered ample room for family road trips.

The 2025 BMW X7 featured a Curved Display setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, offering an attractive layout. BMW's iDrive infotainment system, based on version 8.5, was user-friendly, with a rotary controller and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the voice recognition system struggled to hear commands, and the gesture control feature was more trouble than it was worth. The X7 also offered digital-key functionality and augmented reality navigation.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various Toyota Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included features like a head-up display and a JBL premium 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 hands-free Highway Assistant were part of an optional package. The X7's safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. While the Proactive Driving Assist system was found to be irritating, the overall safety tech operated with accuracy. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection ratings.