BMW X7 vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2025 BMW X7 was a full-size luxury SUV that exuded a commanding presence, appealing to those who desired a vehicle with a bold and distinctive look. Despite its size, it was not as massive as some of its competitors like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. The X7's design, especially after its 2023 facelift, featured stacked quad headlights and an illuminated grille, making it stand out from the crowd. The exterior was further enhanced by large wheels and sporty design elements, particularly with the M Sport Package, which added a touch of aggressiveness. Inside, the X7 offered a mix of luxurious and sporty elements, though some of the optional features, like the crystal shift toggle and carbon fibre trim, seemed more like an attempt to add opulence rather than cohesive design elements.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, available exclusively in the Sport design in Canada, presented a more rugged and sporty appearance. The GR Sport trim, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, showcased racier elements such as red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. The RAV4's design was boxy and truck-like, with square lines and bulging fenders, giving it a robust presence. The interior was practical and well-equipped, with features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen. The GR Sport trim added sporty touches like red stitching and black upholstery, enhancing the overall sporty feel of the vehicle.

The 2025 BMW X7 offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with the xDrive40i model, which featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the xDrive40i to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The M60i xDrive model boasted a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine with 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds. For those seeking even more performance, the Alpina XB7 offered an upgraded V8 engine with 631 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The X7's sophisticated chassis technology, including rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, contributed to its nimble handling and comfortable ride, making it a true luxury vehicle.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kwh battery pack. This combination resulted in a total power output of 324 horsepower, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The RAV4 PHEV offered an estimated electric range of 80 kilometres, thanks to its efficient power control unit. The vehicle's all-wheel-drive system, with a powerful front motor and a smaller rear motor, provided quick acceleration and seamless power transitions. The RAV4's handling was enhanced by a strengthened chassis and improved suspension, particularly in the GR Sport trim, which offered a sportier driving experience with less body roll and better damping.

The 2025 BMW X7 provided ample interior space with six-seat or seven-seat configurations, offering more headroom than many of its competitors. It boasted 1,376 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 2,560 litres with the second and third rows folded. The split tailgate design was practical for loading and unloading, and the air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier access. The X7's towing capacity was 3,400 kilograms, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, with clever storage solutions optimizing the interior space. The vehicle offered 960 millimetres of rear legroom, providing comfortable seating for four passengers. The cargo area, however, was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, offering 951 litres of space, expandable to 1,798 litres with the rear seats folded. The RAV4's interior featured practical storage options, such as deep door pockets and multiple shelves for small items.

The 2025 BMW X7 featured a Curved Display setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, providing an attractive and user-friendly interface. The iDrive infotainment system, based on version 8.5 of BMW's operating system, was intuitive and easy to use, with a rotary controller and shortcut buttons. The X7 also offered digital-key functionality, augmented reality navigation, and gesture control, although the latter was more of a novelty than a practical feature.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch screen available on higher trims. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to frequently used settings. Toyota's new operating system, Arene, improved the responsiveness and functionality of the infotainment system. The RAV4 also offered a subscription-based Voice Assistant and the ability to locate chargers along the route.

The 2025 BMW X7 included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, park assist, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and BMW's hands-free Highway Assistant were part of the Advanced Driver Assistance package. However, the X7's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a safe exit alert. The RAV4's safety record was historically strong, and the redesign aimed to address any previous shortcomings. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending.