2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2019 BMW X5

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 stood out immediately for its bold, chunky design, which drew clear inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. The vehicle's aggressive and futuristic look conveyed strength, something consistently reflected in its side-profile styling and even in the taillights, which seemed to take cues from Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus. The RAV4 also featured a character line that broke up the rear C-pillar, though this design element wasn’t universally appealing.

Half of its color options matched the body to the roof, while the other seven offered a contrasting roof color—either gray or black. In the two-tone options, the black strip across the rear pillar fit harmoniously; however, for the monotone schemes, this strip seemed like unnecessary design clutter. Inside, the RAV4’s cabin diverged from its exterior’s busy design by offering a surprisingly simple and elegant aesthetic. The floating touch screen centralized functions, while a well-organized “pod” contained the remaining controls from the dash to the cupholders.

Trim levels included LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, and Limited. The base LE trim came with steel 17-inch wheels with plastic covers, LED headlights, power side mirrors, low-profile black roof rails, and privacy-tinted windows. The XLE trim, which was the recommended option, added 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic high beams, integrated fog lights, and more refined interior features such as a power moonroof and a push-button start. The XLE Premium added larger 19-inch alloy wheels, a power rear liftgate, and upgraded to SofTex leatherette seats. The Adventure trim leaned more rugged with unique wheels, a split-bar front grille, and orange interior accents. The top-tier Limited trim aimed for an upscale feel with chrome-finished wheels, heated front seats, and additional luxurious options like a panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting.

The 2019 BMW X5, on the other hand, had a different design philosophy. Although it was a heavy crossover, BMW designed it to closely mimic the experience of driving a sedan—a task it performed admirably. The X5’s design had evolved from its original concept, recognizing that most drivers preferred on-road comfort over off-road capability. The X5 could be configured for a five-passenger or an optional seven-passenger setup, though the third row was cramped for space.

Under the hood, the X5 offered two turbocharged engines: a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder for the xDrive40i and a 4.4-liter V8 for the xDrive50i, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i trim came with a starting price of $60,700 and included all-wheel drive, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, and dual-zone climate control. Safety features were abundant even at the base level, with a suite that included adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. Opting for the M Sport design package added unique 20-inch wheels, an M adaptive suspension, and enhanced interior features for $5,850.

Further customization came through packages like the Convenience package, the Premium Package, and the Executive Package, offering additional comfort, connectivity, and luxury features. Notable individual options included an upgraded stereo system and advanced night-vision capability. The X5 could also be specialized with the off-road package, which added air suspension, skid plates, and selectable terrain settings.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine across all trims, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain could drive either the front wheels or an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. There were two AWD options: a standard system and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD available in the Adventure and Limited trims. The base AWD came equipped with Snow, Sand & Mud, and Rock & Dirt drive modes, while the torque-vectoring variant could distribute power dynamically among the wheels, facilitating better off-road capability. Despite good acceleration on highways, the engine showed weaknesses during stop-and-go traffic, where its lack of low-end power made for a sluggish experience.

Driving dynamics of the RAV4 included a generally comfortable ride but were marred by twitchy steering and noticeable body roll, making it less refined compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. However, the RAV4 regained some off-road credibility with the Adventure trim and torque-vectoring AWD, standing out in a segment that had largely moved away from off-road capabilities. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with front-wheel-drive models achieving 26 mpg city, 35 highway, while AWD models slightly underperformed these figures.

The 2019 BMW X5’s performance was its strongest suit. The xDrive40i, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, produced 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 5.3 seconds—though real-world performance could be slightly quicker. The engine was both powerful and smooth, especially with the transmission kept in Sport mode. Fuel economy estimates were also solid at 20 mpg city, 26 highway.

For those seeking even more power, the xDrive50i’s turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 delivered a whopping 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds flat. The X5 used BMW’s Cluster Architecture platform, which featured a combination of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber for improved performance and reduced weight. The standard suspension system had adaptive dampers, while the optional air suspension, which raised or lowered the vehicle for various driving conditions and improved bump absorption, made for an exceptionally smooth yet sporty ride.

The interior of the 2019 Toyota RAV4 was designed for practicality and ease of use. Its center stack featured a clean layout with climate controls, a convenient tray for small items, drive-mode controls, and a compact shifter. Storage solutions included a deep center console bin and a dash tray for the passenger. Cargo space offered 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This capacity fell slightly short compared to the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, but exceeded that of rivals like the Mazda CX-5.

In contrast, the 2019 BMW X5's interior shifted from its classic, understated design to one with aggressive angles and dual 12.3-inch screens for the updated iDrive infotainment system. Though it looked modern, unless one opted for expensive upgrades like ceramic switches, it could feel less premium. The seats were another concern, as they lacked in comfort and ventilation, often feeling too warm. Nonetheless, the cabin provided ample space both in the front and back seats. The cargo area of the X5 offered 33.9 cubic feet, expanding to 72.3 cubic feet with the seats down. Additionally, handy features like an adjustable air suspension simplified loading and increased cargo accessibility. The X5 also boasted a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's base LE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest Entune 3.0 infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay (Android Auto was not available at the time). Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. The XLE trim increased the number of USB ports to five, spread across the front and rear. The Adventure trim upgraded the system to an 8-inch screen and added a panoramic reversing camera, while the Limited trim offered an optional JBL premium stereo.

The simplicity and functionality of the Entune system stood out with easy menu navigation and real dials for major functions, distinguishing it from systems like MazdaConnect and Lexus Enform.

In contrast, the 2019 BMW X5’s tech felt less intuitive. Gesture controls and voice commands were often unresponsive, especially for users with slight accents. The updated iDrive interface required an initial learning curve, and its steering wheel controls were somewhat counterintuitive. The Driving Assistance Plus package promised advanced Level 2 autonomy but struggled with lane-keeping and high-speed operations, making it a questionable addition. More reliable were features like the Parking Assistant Plus for automatic parallel parking and a 3D camera.

The premium Harman Kardon stereo provided excellent sound quality, though an even more powerful Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system was available. Other tech options included a night-vision system and a rear-seat entertainment system, further adding to the X5’s technological offerings.

For the 2019 Toyota RAV4, safety was a prominent focus. Standard features included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was also standard, offering forward-collision warning and avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Additional features like traffic-sign detection and Lane-Tracing Assist further enhanced safety.

The 2019 BMW X5 introduced a new brake-by-wire system linked to its semi-autonomous driving features. Despite minor feedback issues, the M Sport brakes performed well, although they still trailed behind the stopping capabilities of competitors like the Porsche Cayenne. Safety ratings included a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA, with 4-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover tests, and 5-star ratings in side crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2019 X5 as a Top Safety Pick+, acknowledging its top scores across all tests.