2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMWs in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-coloured trims and larger wheel options, enhancing its athletic appearance. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered unique interior styling, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced after a hiatus, was built on the proven TGNA-K platform, shared with several Toyota and Lexus models. Its design was modern and elegant, with proportions that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. The Venza's exterior featured a distinctive scalloped body side and a prominent tailgate with LED lighting. Its design was more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and a well-thought-out layout. The dashboard was layered, taking advantage of the steep windshield, and the touchscreen display was positioned for easy access. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats comfortably accommodated three adults.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for lacking the connected drive experience expected from BMW, with dynamics more akin to a Lincoln. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the xDrive45e was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency, with the rear electric motors providing all-wheel drive capability. Drivers could choose from EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport modes to tailor performance. The Venza's regenerative braking system helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the gas engine. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, with a wheelbase shared with the Camry, making it maneuverable. Its taller body and higher ground clearance were not designed for aggressive cornering, but it delivered a comfortable ride for a midsize family vehicle.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. Heated seats and armrests provided comfort, and the rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably. The optional third row was not tested. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5's cargo area was spacious without the third row, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. The doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom in both. The second row offered 114.8 cm of hip room, suitable for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze panoramic sunroof. The interior featured numerous convenience features, including an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat. The electric parking brake and sliding sun visors added to the convenience. The cabin had four cupholders and four bottle holders, with each door accommodating a 24-ounce bottle. The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack was located beneath the second-row seats, minimally impacting cargo capacity. It offered 816 litres of luggage space behind the second row, expanding to 1,560 litres with the seats folded flat. Toyota focused on creating a quiet cabin, using sound-blocking and absorbing materials throughout.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system had connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, premium audio systems, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention, eliminating the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza's hybrid setup was transparent in operation, with a tank of gas yielding over 800 kilometres. Toyota's Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program optimized battery charging based on driving habits. The Venza LE included an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. The XLE and Limited trims added pushbutton start, keyless entry, a heated steering wheel, SofTex upholstery, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, intelligent touch-capacitive controls, and navigation. The Limited trim also featured a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, and a digital rearview mirror. Toyota Connected Services were included, offering Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. 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, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, featuring stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It had eight airbags, including advanced airbag systems and side-curtain airbags. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-start assist were standard, with XLE and Limited trims adding parking assist with automated braking. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.