BMW 7 Series vs Toyota Corolla Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received significant updates, including a new all-wheel-drive option standard on all trims except the base LE. The hybrid system saw a power increase, and the Corolla Hybrids underwent a subtle style refresh with changes to the grille patterns and rear bumpers. The exterior design was more appealing than previous generations, with a sculpted front end featuring wraparound headlights and sharp creases. The large trapezoidal grille added a sporty character, while the side and tail remained conventional. Inside, the Corolla Hybrid's design was minimalistic, with an abundance of hard plastics, though the XSE trim added SofTex synthetic leather for a more upscale feel. Despite these efforts, the Corolla Hybrid's interior fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, with a tinny feel and noticeable road noise.

The 2024 BMW 7 Series presented a more conventional luxury sedan design, with a handsome shape from the windshield backward. However, the front featured a bold, massive grille flanked by narrow LED headlights. The car offered a wide array of colour and trim choices, including two-tone schemes on the 760i trim. Inside, the cabin was less controversial, with beautifully made metal grilles hiding the speakers and seats available in various luxurious materials. The interior featured a broad crystalline-looking strip with customizable ambient lighting and a rear-seat theatre screen. The 7 Series exuded opulence, with options like rear ventilated and massaging seats and a panoramic sunroof with patterned ambient lighting.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid was powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with hybrid drive, producing 134 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase of 13 hp and 10 lb-ft over its predecessor. The powertrain included a continuously variable transmission (CVT) sending power to front-wheel drive, with an additional 40-hp electric motor providing on-demand AWD. The hybrid powertrain responded quickly from a standstill, but power built slowly, taking around nine seconds to reach 100 km/h. The Corolla Hybrid offered a dedicated EV drive mode for maximum efficiency, though it was challenging to maintain on open roads. Braking was consistent, and handling was adequate, though not particularly fun in curves. Road noise was present, and larger road imperfections impacted the cabin noticeably.

The 2024 BMW 7 Series offered two potent powertrains in Canada. The 760i featured a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 with 536 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The new 750e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder with an electric motor, delivering 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in roughly 4.7 seconds. The 750e excelled in fuel efficiency, with a rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres (electric) and 9.4 L/100 km (gas) combined. However, the transition from regenerative braking to physical brakes was inconsistent, and the gas pedal required careful modulation. The 7 Series handled like a sports sedan, with precise steering and relatively little body roll, despite its size.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid offered ample space up front, though long-limbed drivers might find the steering wheel lacking in telescopic adjustment. The cabin's simplicity was approachable, with basic climate controls and well-placed steering-wheel buttons. Interior storage was adequate, with a small plastic tray, cupholders, and a medium-sized centre armrest bin. Rear seats accommodated average adult passengers, though headroom was limited. Trunk capacity was 371 litres, with rear seats folding for additional space, though not flat with the floor.

The 2024 BMW 7 Series, available only as a long-wheelbase sedan, provided opulent comfort. Front seats were well-padded and supportive, with optional massaging functions. Rear legroom was generous at 1,087 millimetres, with door-mounted control screens for comfort and entertainment functions. The 7 Series offered a $2,800 rear executive lounge package with a lie-flat reclining rear passenger seat. Cargo volume was 523 litres for the 750e and 540 litres for gas-only models, with a pass-through for skis and a low load height. Interior storage was unremarkable.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid featured an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen with on-screen controls, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and improved voice commands. Over-the-air software updates kept the system current, and it could pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. However, the JBL audio system was not available in Canada.

The 2024 BMW 7 Series boasted a massive curved-screen display combining a 12.3-inch driver's screen with a 14.9-inch infotainment display. The interface was primarily touchscreen-driven, with iDrive 8.5 software offering a smartphone-like experience. The system included a voice assistant, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though vehicle functions were not controllable through these platforms. An 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo was standard, with an optional 40-speaker system. A 31.3-inch theatre screen was available for rear passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the standard 2022 Corolla sedan a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Corolla Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including features like frontal collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor.

The 2024 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it shared platform architecture with the 2024 BMW 5 Series, which earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The 7 Series offered standard active safety features like forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Advanced Driver Assistance Package added partially automated driving capabilities, though at an additional cost.