2021 Toyota RAV4 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a rugged-looking exterior that mimicked a traditional SUV, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and most other compact crossovers. Despite its bold exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which it shared with sedans, hatchbacks, and the Toyota Sienna minivan. This meant that while the RAV4 looked like a 4Runner, its mechanical components were more akin to a Camry.

The RAV4 offered several options to enhance its appearance, such as the Adventure model with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, and the TRD Off-Road with matte black wheels, LED fog lights, and red interior accents. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles. Material quality was decent on lower trims but didn't improve significantly on higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, which was lighter than leather but not as luxurious as real leather, which wasn't available even on the top-tier RAV4 Limited trim.

The 2021 BMW X5 was known for its high-quality craftsmanship and unmistakable BMW design, from the kidney grille to the body shape. This luxury SUV featured full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, including the xLine models with matte aluminum grilles and satin aluminum finishes, and the M Sport models with body-color trim and high-gloss black accents. Depending on the trim level, the X5 could ride on wheels ranging from 19 to 22 inches.

Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with other BMW models, featuring switches, dials, and displays from the BMW parts bin. While there was an abundance of black plastic, the interior also included 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 exclusive interior trim strips. Despite the sameness issue, the X5's interior was well-crafted and luxurious.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a single engine option: the "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and had a power peak at 6,600 rpm with a redline at 6,750 rpm. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feel, making the driving experience less dynamic. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offered more power and better fuel economy, with the Hybrid producing 219 hp and the Prime 302 hp.

On the highway, the RAV4 excelled with low cabin noise and a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. Off-road, the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. The TRD Off-Road also had model-specific suspension tuning and all-terrain tires, but its limited suspension articulation and shallow approach angles were drawbacks on challenging trails.

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 with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, producing 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offered up to 30 miles of all-electric range.

The X5's driving dynamics were mixed. The xDrive45e's power was capable but not inspiring, with steering that struggled to keep up with throttle inputs. At low speeds, the X5 steered like a full-size truck, and at higher speeds, it lacked the engaging handling typical of BMWs. The cabin was quiet, and the suspension absorbed bumps well. Charging the xDrive45e was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and an EPA-estimated 400-mile driving range when fully charged. However, the X5 M was the least fuel-efficient, achieving 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e was rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4's tall, upright roof provided ample headroom in both rows and good outward visibility. However, legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 had a 60/40 split-folding rear seat but lacked the sliding feature found in some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, above average but still behind the Honda CR-V. The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were user-friendly, even with gloves on, but the center console storage was limited.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders positioned at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard after a few hours. The rear seats were spacious enough for kids and two adults, and an optional third row was available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo easier. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space due to the battery. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to the narrow door openings.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited model had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons, but it wasn't particularly flashy. The gasoline RAV4 didn't offer a head-up display, which was available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 BMW X5 featured 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. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was easy to use once familiar.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. It missed the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, park assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 BMW X5 came 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 had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight and 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.