2020 Toyota RAV4 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, traditionally a template for compact SUVs, received a bold redesign in 2019, giving it a more angular and rugged appearance. The Adventure trim, introduced the previous year, enhanced its off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The 2020 model saw the introduction of the TRD Off-Road trim, which featured smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. This trim was distinguishable by its unique wheels, tires, and badges, and the test vehicle came in a Lunar Rock gray paint with an extra-cost white roof, which effectively hid dirt. Inside, the TRD Off-Road version had TRD logos on the front-seat head restraints, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, contrasting with some inexpensive-looking plastic.

The 2021 BMW X5 maintained BMW's high-quality craftsmanship and signature design elements, such as the kidney grille and body shape, making it unmistakably a BMW. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim levels, including the xLine and M Sport, which offered different styling cues like matte aluminum grilles and high-gloss black finishes. The interior, while consistent with BMW's design language, included an abundance of black plastic that easily collected dust. However, it also featured plenty of leather and soft-touch materials. The M Sport models had unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, and model-exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid, a separate model, delivered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available in the TRD Off-Road trim. The test vehicle's non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain felt energetic, especially in Sport mode, though a turbocharged engine would have been preferable for high-altitude driving. The 8-speed automatic transmission generally performed well but occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system, multi-terrain select settings, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on various terrains. Despite its off-road capabilities, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road was also practical for everyday use, with features like a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a JBL premium sound system. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 horsepower, increasing to 617 with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The transition between all-electric and hybrid modes was seamless, but the steering dynamics were less impressive, especially at higher speeds. The X5's cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the X5 xDrive45e was convenient, and it offered up to 400 miles of driving range when fully charged. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy ingress and egress, with seating hip points at an ideal height. The driver's seat was 8-way adjustable, providing a low and sporty driving position, while the front passenger seat, though lacking height adjustment, offered good thigh support. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat on hot days, but the optional Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was generous, and the interior had ample storage, including a dashboard shelf. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders positioned at the front of the center console. The center console featured numerous buttons, knobs, and dials, which could be challenging to differentiate at night. The wireless phone charging pad kept technology out of the driver's line of sight. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard after a few hours. Heated seats and armrests worked well, and the rear seats were spacious enough for kids and two adults. The X5 also offered an optional third row, though it was not tested. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 xDrive45e had slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was negligible for most buyers.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured user-friendly technology, with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display depending on the trim level. The 8-inch system in the TRD Off-Road trim suffered from glare but was otherwise easy to use, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for three months or 2GB of data usage. The infotainment system included menu shortcut buttons and knobs for stereo volume and tuning, and the climate controls were separate from the display. Upgrades included an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was impressive, accurately understanding commands. The optional Technology Package added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera height and angle.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. However, wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. Additional options included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was easy to use once familiar.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included advanced driving assist features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. These systems operated smoothly and accurately, encouraging drivers to keep them activated. Toyota also offered a free one-year subscription to Safety Connect services, which included automatic collision notification, an activated SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. A rearview camera was also standard. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality had issues, requiring human intervention in certain situations. The lane-keeping system also struggled in bright sunlight and light rain, causing the vehicle to swerve. The 2021 BMW X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).