2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2024 BMW X5

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a larger and more spacious alternative to its smaller sibling, the Highlander. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Toyota Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, the Grand Highlander provided ample interior space, making it a comfortable choice for families. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims—XLE, Limited, and Platinum—with options for synthetic or real leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a spacious centre console. The vehicle excelled as a road-trip companion, boasting 13 cupholders, seven USB-C ports, and a reputation for mechanical reliability.

The 2024 BMW X5, last redesigned in 2019, maintained its stylish appeal, though the M Sport treatment divided opinions. The test vehicle featured optional 21-inch wheels and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, with other powertrain options including a turbo-six PHEV and a turbocharged V8. The X5 xDrive50e PHEV, in particular, impressed with its Brooklyn Grey paint, modernized interior, and BMW Curved Display instrumentation. The cabin's quality materials and construction tied the X5 to BMW's heritage, while the reduction in physical switchgear and new transmission controls added a modern touch. Despite some challenges with the Intelligent Personal Assistant, the X5's technology package, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offered a comprehensive and intuitive experience. The X5's driving dynamics, combined with its luxurious interior, made it a compelling choice for those seeking a midsize luxury SUV.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, catering to different preferences. The base 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine delivered 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option provided 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top of the range, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain boasted 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, offering impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive, enhancing traction and stability. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander maintained decent road manners, though it was less nimble than its smaller counterpart. The brakes offered a solid, linear feel, and the vehicle's acceleration was more than adequate for everyday driving. Toyota provided three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e PHEV featured a new mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine, delivering 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV's electric motor, integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed for 63 kilometres of electric-only driving. BMW claimed a 0-96 km/h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds, making it nearly as quick as the more expensive X5 M60i. The PHEV's adaptive damping air suspension masked its weight, providing a comfortable ride even with the large 21-inch wheels. The X5 excelled in handling, with quick steering and excellent grip, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The vehicle's regenerative braking system added to its efficiency, and the PHEV's ability to recharge its battery during drives enhanced its practicality. Overall, the xDrive50e was a standout in the X5 lineup, offering a blend of performance and efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander stood out for its generous interior space, surpassing many of its rivals. With a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, it offered more room than competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Grand Highlander's cargo capacity was impressive, with 2,761 litres available with the seats folded down. Even with all three rows in use, it provided 583 litres of cargo space. The vehicle's spaciousness extended to passenger comfort, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all rows. The third row was particularly accommodating, making it suitable for adults. The Grand Highlander's design prioritized visibility, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience for all occupants.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e offered a luxurious and functional interior, accommodating five passengers in two rows. The cargo area provided 937 litres of space, expanding to 2,016 litres with the rear seats folded. The split liftgate design added convenience, though it required some stretching to access items deep in the cargo hold. The X5's interior featured BMW's Sensafin artificial leather, which felt premium despite not being genuine leather. The vehicle offered a range of comfort features, including 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, four-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed supportive cushions and ample space, with additional options like heated rear seats and side window sunshades. While the X5 no longer offered a third-row seat, it remained a practical choice for families seeking a midsize luxury SUV.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a significant improvement over previous models. The system included features like dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant, activated by saying "Hey Toyota," was available through a connected-services subscription, allowing for voice commands to control various functions. The subscription also included cloud-based navigation and live agent assistance. The Grand Highlander's audio system, featuring an 11-speaker JBL stereo, provided a balanced sound experience. While Toyota's tech offerings had advanced, potential buyers were advised to review subscription options carefully to maximize the system's capabilities.

The 2024 BMW X5 featured the BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Running on BMW Operating System 8.5, the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and over-the-air software updates. The Intelligent Personal Assistant, activated by saying "Hey BMW," provided voice control for various functions, though its performance was inconsistent. The X5's technology package included a head-up display and an augmented video function for navigation. Despite some challenges with voice recognition, the X5's infotainment system was intuitive and offered a wide range of features, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite of advanced driver assistance systems included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control was standard, with four following-distance settings for added convenience.

The 2024 BMW X5 offered the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, which required deliberate activation through the infotainment screen and steering wheel controls. The system performed well in specific conditions, such as dense traffic or light highway traffic, but could be unpredictable in moderate traffic. The X5's driver aids operated subtly, enhancing the driving experience without being intrusive. The IIHS gave the X5 high ratings, though lower headlight ratings prevented it from earning a safety award. The NHTSA awarded the X5 an overall crash-test rating of four stars.