2021 Toyota RAV4 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 presented a rugged exterior that was reminiscent of a traditional SUV, with its boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This design was a departure from the more approachable look of previous RAV4 generations and stood out among other compact crossovers. Despite its aggressive styling, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was shared with other Toyota models like the Camry. This meant that while the exterior suggested a robust off-road capability, the mechanical underpinnings were more aligned with a conventional car. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black alloy wheels and red interior accents, enhancing its adventurous appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, maintaining the brand's signature design elements like the kidney grille and body shape. The X5's exterior was unmistakably BMW, with full adaptive LED headlights and a choice between xLine and M Sport styling, the latter offering a sportier appearance with body-colour matched trim and high-gloss black accents. The interior of the X5, while sharing many components with other BMW models, was not lacking in quality, featuring leather and soft-touch materials. M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and model-exclusive interior trim strips, enhancing the sporty feel of the SUV.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive with an optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and was known for its high-revving nature. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4's steering was responsive but lacked feel, and the "Sport" driving mode only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. Off-road, the RAV4 Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and 21.7 centimetres of ground clearance, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, making them more capable than the average crossover.

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 with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, while the M50i variant boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with 523 horsepower. The X5 M took it further with 600 horsepower, or 617 with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering dynamics were less engaging than expected, with a tendency to wobble at high speeds. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well, but the driving experience was not as connected as other BMW models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof providing ample headroom and good outward visibility, though legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,977 litres with them folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The interior featured oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but lacked large cupholders and storage space on the console.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned out of the way and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button facilitated loading cargo. Without the third row, the cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while Trail and Limited models had an 8-inch screen. The RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio were optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly advanced, with a well-positioned touchscreen and easy-to-read graphics. However, it lacked the head-up display available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system occasionally took over musical operations unexpectedly, requiring the vehicle and phone to "forget" each other to resolve the issue. 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, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was intuitive once familiar.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. It missed the "Top Safety Pick+" due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests, and five stars in side tests. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system were also available.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it struggled to react to stopped traffic in time. The lane-keeping system was affected by sunlight and rain, causing the vehicle to swerve. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.