2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its distinctive look. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and 20-inch wheels, aimed to blend sportiness with practicality, though it leaned more towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim. Inside, the Highlander Limited boasted near-flawless fit and finish, with tan leather seats, dark brown trim, and wood details that enhanced its upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW X3 featured a revised exterior design with a larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear showcased new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered nine exterior finishes, including new metallic colors like Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. The M Sport Package added sporty elements like larger air intakes and a sportier rear bumper. Inside, the X3's cabin was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and a panoramic moonroof. The SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery was standard, with premium Vernasca leather available as an option.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While it wasn't designed for drag races, it provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. The Highlander XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar for a slightly sportier feel, though it remained more focused on comfort.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The X3 M40i, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a new mild-hybrid system, produced 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The X3 M40i also featured a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, an adaptive suspension, and an AWD system tuned for a rear-oriented torque split. However, the mild-hybrid system did not improve fuel economy, with the X3 M40i rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in comfort and practicality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to optimize space. The third row could accommodate adults, though it required some compromise from the middle-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered seating for five adults, though the rear middle seat was best suited for smaller passengers. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing ample cargo space for luggage and equipment. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding softness. The X3's redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and usability. The power tailgate and optional hands-free opening added convenience, while the panoramic moonroof enhanced the cabin's spacious feel.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality, though it wasn't overly impressive.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches, offering a fully digital experience. The standard 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system could be upgraded to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system on the M40i model. Additional tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features like a heated steering wheel, heated seats, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 BMW X3 also received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. While crash test results from the IIHS were not yet available, the 2018 X3 was named a Top Safety Pick+. The 2022 X3 added more safety features, including adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems. The available Parking Assistance Package and Driving Assistant Professional Package added features like traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, and active lane-keep assist with lane centering and side collision avoidance.