2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's true SUV range. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, ensured it was unmistakably a BMW. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, matte aluminum grilles, and satin aluminum finishes on standard xLine models, while M Sport models boasted body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents for a sportier look. The interior, though filled with familiar BMW parts, offered plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, with M Sport models adding unique, aggressive styling elements.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained much of the standard CR-V's appearance, with subtle distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The interior featured unique instrumentation to display battery status and power distribution, with paddles on the steering wheel managing regenerative braking. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, the CR-V Hybrid offered standard AWD and a range of features, including leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging in higher trims. The Touring trim, in particular, showcased a rich two-tone interior with Ivory leather and a few less appealing elements like fake wood trim.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery providing up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were less engaging than expected, with some issues at higher speeds and during lane changes. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor, generating a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It featured three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack improved weight distribution and maintained the standard CR-V's 8.2 inches of ground clearance. The driving experience was generally positive, with quick acceleration and predictable handling, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg combined, achieving only 33.7 mpg during testing.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier, though the doors did not open very wide, complicating access to the second row. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal for most buyers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats provided hours of comfort with 12-way power adjustment for the driver, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat room was exceptional, offering ample legroom and comfort for adults, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, offering 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, still accommodating four full-sized suitcases. Despite the reduction, it remained practical for most needs.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a robust set of standard features, including a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker sound system. Additional options included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, felt outdated despite its large, flush surface and seven-inch touchscreen. It lacked a tuning knob and had slow startup times. Voice recognition was subpar, and the navigation display was cluttered. The Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger seemed like an afterthought, though the nine-speaker premium audio system performed well. The system supported text messaging, SiriusXM, and Pandora internet radio.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight and light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard. The CR-V Hybrid's systems worked smoothly and consistently, though it lacked some advanced features found in competitors. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.