Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 2026 BMW X1

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Rav4 and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Rav4 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X1. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X1 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 8th.

The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (324 vs. 312) than the X1 M35i xDrive’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the X1:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions for 52 miles. The X1 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X1 M35i xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Rav4 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X1 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the X1 (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

For better maneuverability, the Rav4’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the X1’s (36.9 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Rav4 GR Sport’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the X1’s (37.3 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Woodland has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (8.5 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Rav4 has .6 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X1 with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 25.7 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 57.2 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Rav4 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Rav4’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 has standard extendable sun visors. The X1 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the Rav4 and the X1 offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 XSE/Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Toyota Rav4 stands out above the BMW X1 by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Rav4 Woodland has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X1 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Rav4 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the BMW X1 by over 18 to one during 2024.