2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 BMW X5

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. While the Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look, its appeal was subjective. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, but some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2024 BMW X5 retained its elegant styling since its last redesign in 2019, although the M Sport treatment was not universally admired. The test vehicle featured optional 21-inch wheels, enhancing its appearance. The X5 offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, and a turbocharged V8 engine. The interior received a modern update with the BMW Curved Display, reducing physical controls while maintaining high-quality materials. The X5's cabin exuded luxury, with options for genuine leather upholstery and advanced seating features, making it a comfortable and stylish choice.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the satisfying rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the experience to their preferences.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e PHEV featured a new mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine and a more powerful electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The lithium-ion battery pack had a capacity of 19.2 kilowatt-hours, providing 63 kilometres of electric-only driving. The xDrive50e produced 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 96 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The PHEV's adaptive damping air suspension masked its weight, offering a comfortable ride. The X5 excelled in Sport mode, delivering excellent acceleration, grip, and steering response. It also demonstrated impressive efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 6.0 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's interior featured power-deploying running boards, a panoramic glass moonroof, and captain's chairs in the second row. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with the second-row seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack reduced overall utility compared to previous models.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e provided a spacious and luxurious interior, accommodating five passengers in two rows. The cargo area offered 937 litres, expandable to 2,016 litres with the rear seats folded. The split liftgate design added convenience but required stretching to access items deep in the cargo hold. The X5 featured standard Sensafin artificial leather upholstery, with options for 20-way power-adjustable multi-contour front seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. While the X5 no longer offered a third-row seat, it remained a comfortable and practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare on the display was an issue. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally struggled with specific requests. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 BMW X5 boasted the BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system ran BMW Operating System 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and over-the-air software updates. The Intelligent Personal Assistant, however, struggled with voice recognition, leading to occasional frustration. The available head-up display and augmented video function for navigation added to the X5's technological appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. While crash-test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 BMW X5 introduced the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, which worked well in specific conditions but occasionally engaged brakes unexpectedly. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance performed admirably on curved roads. The X5 received high ratings from the IIHS, though lower headlight ratings prevented it from earning a safety award. The NHTSA awarded the X5 an overall crash-test rating of four stars.