BMW X5 vs Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 27 mpg for the BMW X5, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $1,200 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Toyota Highlander leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
BMW X5
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 61 configurations
2015–2026
Toyota Highlander
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 72 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW X5 | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 27 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 24 mpg | 36 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 31 mpg | 35 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 | $1,700 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 130 g/mi ✓ | 245 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Diesel | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 61 | 72 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
X5 vs Highlander: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW X5 or the Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 36 mpg combined versus 27 mpg for the BMW X5, a 9 mpg advantage and costs about $1,200 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota Highlander runs about $1,700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,900 for the BMW X5 — a difference of roughly $1,200 per year.
What engines do the X5 and Highlander offer?
BMW X5: SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Toyota Highlander: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-start.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW X5 and the Toyota Highlander as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More X5 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-x5-vs-toyota-highlander