BMW X3 vs Toyota Prado
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Toyota Prado scores higher, 77 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Toyota Prado
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 13 no dataFrom
$72,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Engine
- 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active
- Power
- 150kW
- Economy
- 7.6 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 408L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 73
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$86,100RRP
- with the Toyota Prado's standard kit: $86,100 (nothing to add)
$72,500RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Fuel figures here come from different test cycles (BMW X3: WLTP; Toyota Prado: ADR 81/02), so they are not compared like-for-like and no fuel winner is shown.
Measured rows: Australian Automobile Association Real-World Testing Program (realworld.org.au), the on-road result for the vehicle each test names, shown beside the manufacturer's figures rather than in place of them and never scored. BMW X3 test page Toyota Prado test page
Price and cost per week
BMW X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Toyota Prado GX Diesel
$72,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $312 a week in repayments ($72,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Toyota Prado starts $13,600 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$312/wk(≈$1,353/mo)
Estimate on the Toyota Prado at $72,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW X3 at 5 stars (2025) and the Toyota Prado at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BMW X3 and 85% for the Toyota Prado, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW X3, against 5 on the Toyota Prado.
Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X3 and 9 in the Toyota Prado.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 and 5 on the Toyota Prado.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
Toyota Prado
- REC-006616 · published 3 Jun 2026Due to a software error, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual engine oil pressure light, engine coolant temperature, electrical charge, and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006302 · published 5 Mar 2025Due to an error in the fitting instructions for the optional accessory Electric Brake Controller, the Lower Driver’s Airbag Assembly (removed during accessory fitment) may have been reinstalled using the incorrect torque.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-001320 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Prado gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X3 stands out with wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Prado. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Toyota Prado offers cloth. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X3 and 2-zone in the Toyota Prado.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Toyota Prado responds with a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds.
The Toyota Prado has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW X3 is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 235mm shorter than the Toyota Prado at 4,990mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW X3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 408L in the Toyota Prado, giving the BMW X3 a 162L advantage.
For towing, the Toyota Prado leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,400kg. That 1,100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Toyota Prado's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and fuel for the Toyota Prado about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Prado).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 408L).
The Toyota Prado: the lower starting price ($72,500 against $86,100), more power (150kW against 140kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,400kg).
The Verdict
Toyota Prado scores higher, 77 vs 73
The Toyota Prado scores 77 to the BMW X3's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: reliability (Toyota Prado ahead by 9 points), safety (Toyota Prado ahead by 6 points), value (Toyota Prado ahead by 4 points). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the BMW X3, 408L in the Toyota Prado.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$312/wk(≈$1,353/mo)
Estimate on the Toyota Prado at $72,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X3 and Toyota Prado?
The Toyota Prado is the cheapest at $72,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X3 by $13,600.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Toyota Prado holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X3 has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Prado has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Prado makes the most power at 150kW. The BMW X3 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
Track the BMW X3 & Toyota Prado
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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