2022 Toyota Sienna vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design, from the iconic kidney grille to the body shape, unmistakably identified it as a BMW. While this consistency was reassuring for brand enthusiasts, it also meant the X5 could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5's interior was familiar, borrowing heavily from BMW's parts bin, yet it maintained a luxurious feel with leather and soft-touch materials, despite the prevalence of dust-attracting black plastic. The M Sport models offered a more aggressive interior styling with unique elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sienna embraced its minivan identity while incorporating SUV-like styling cues. Toyota's commitment to the minivan segment was evident in the Sienna's design, which featured a bold front end and cleverly concealed sliding door channels. The Sienna's profile was assertive, with standard 17-inch wheels that could be upgraded to 18 or 20 inches on higher trims. Inside, the Sienna avoided the typical minivan feel with an uncluttered front cabin and abundant storage options, including a handy under-console area and numerous cup holders. The second and third rows offered comfortable seating, with available captain's chairs and a spacious third-row bench that folded into the floor. The Sienna's interior was designed for family convenience, with power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate that could be activated with a foot motion, making it easy to access the vehicle with hands full.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with rear-wheel drive available only on this model. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M reached 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were less engaging than expected, with a Lincoln-like drive experience. The X5 xDrive45e's charging was convenient, taking five hours on a Level 2 charger, and it achieved 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna continued with its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims, adding a separate electric motor for the rear wheels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offering smooth power delivery and maximizing fuel efficiency. The Sienna's handling was impressive for a minivan, with minimal body roll and a comfortable highway ride. Its fuel economy was a standout feature, with FWD models achieving 36 mpg city/highway/combined, and AWD models getting 35 mpg. The Sienna's 288-volt nickel metal-hydride battery pack was tucked under the front seats, backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard on longer journeys. The rear seats were spacious enough for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal for most buyers. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it less convenient for moving children and cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna excelled as a family workhorse, capable of accommodating a full 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed. The sliding second row added flexibility for loading cargo, with measurements of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row. The Sienna also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The 60/40-split third-row bench easily stored into the floor, and each row featured storage cubbies and cupholders. Power-operated sliding doors and a tailgate with foot-motion triggers added convenience, allowing easy access to the vehicle with hands full.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity quirks, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included 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, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The BMW iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with SiriusXM, USB ports, and Bluetooth. However, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a notable omission. The Sienna offered telematics services, a Wi-Fi trial, and optional Qi wireless phone charging. Audio systems ranged from a six-speaker setup to a 12-speaker JBL system on higher trims. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch display with wireless headphones. The Sienna's instrument panel included a multi-information display, with a head-up display available on Platinum trims. Limited and Platinum models could upgrade to a digital rearview mirror, enhancing visibility when the rear view was obstructed.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, fatigue alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. The Sienna also featured the Star Safety System, 10 airbags, LATCH connectors, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit. A spare tire was optional, with a new location for safety and convenience.