2022 Toyota Corolla vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series presented a restrained design, distinguishing itself from other BMW sedans with its understated elegance. It underwent a minor styling refresh, resulting in a sleeker appearance with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully proportioned, twin-kidney grille. The M Sport Package introduced trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. Inside, the 5 Series retained its classic BMW layout, with familiar elements like the touchscreen positioning and unique shifter design. While the interior materials varied by trim, the Nappa leather option in Mocha added a touch of luxury, though the sport steering wheel felt somewhat out of place.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its reputation for blandness with bold exterior styling, featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The SE and XSE trims sported an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade and Apex Editions added unique styling elements. The Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its bronze-accented body kit and model-specific wheels. The interior, though less imaginative, offered a simple and functional design. However, the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges, and the light gray upholstery seemed susceptible to stains. Despite these drawbacks, the Corolla maintained Toyota's reputation for solid fit and finish.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the 530i's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on tire choice. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. It reached 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.6 seconds with xDrive all-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive and M5 offered even more power, with the latter achieving 617 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range yet to be confirmed for 2021.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla provided two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque for the L, LE, and XLE trims, and a 2.0-liter engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque for the SE and XSE trims. The Apex Edition shared the latter engine but added a sport exhaust system. A CVT was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter engine offered a six-speed manual option on SE and SE Apex Edition models. The Apex Edition's suspension enhancements improved handling but compromised ride quality. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant performance upgrades, making it more of a fun cornering car than a true performance model.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available as a four-door, five-seat sedan, offered spaciousness in line with its exterior dimensions. Front-seat space was competitive, and while rear-seat room appeared slightly less generous on paper, it still provided ample comfort. The 540i boasted 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing rivals like the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench featured a 40/20/20 split fold for added versatility. The 16-way power front seats offered a range of adjustments, though forward visibility was hindered by the long hood, mitigated somewhat by a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, aided by a low beltline for improved visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard compromised forward visibility. Toyota's redesign aimed for optimal driver positioning, but long-legged drivers might still find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space lagged behind competitors, though a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard. The sleek interior design limited storage for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, complemented by voice control and gesture controls. However, the instrument cluster's layout could be confusing, and gesture controls required learning specific gestures.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on select trims. While the interface was user-friendly, some tasks were less intuitive, and the graphics appeared dated. The Corolla lacked wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and novel tech features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS for the virtually-identical 2020 model, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, standard headlights were rated "marginal." Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and traffic-jam assist.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests but varying headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available but not standard on all trims.