BMW X5 vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 BMW X5 had gracefully evolved, maintaining its distinctive proportions while incorporating intriguing details. The cab-rearward profile and rounded fender arches were complemented by arrow-shaped lighting elements in the headlights and taillights, which added a three-dimensional shape. The front fascia was somewhat busy, but the signature twin-kidney grille remained reasonably sized. The optional M Sport Package introduced sportier bumpers and Shadowline trim, with further upgrades available in the M Sport Professional version. The Silver Anniversary Edition celebrated the X5's 25th anniversary with unique features like Lime Rock Grey paint and an off-road package. Inside, the X5's interior evolved gradually, retaining a sense of quality with carbon fiber trim and ambient lighting in the Silver Anniversary Edition.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, offering single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD with two battery options. The XLE Plus, with its larger battery, provided enhanced power and range. The restyled bZ looked better with body-color trim, and the interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console. The 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control, and the dual-zone automatic setup included large temperature dials and buttons for defog/defrost functions. However, the digital driver display was mounted far away, making it challenging to read. Despite this, the bZ's interior offered a higher sense of quality with distinctive fabric seats.

The 2025 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the RWD X5 sDrive40i and AWD X5 xDrive40i, both powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. This allowed the X5 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The AWD-only X5 M60i xDrive featured a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving a zero to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. The X5 plug-in hybrid, the xDrive50e, combined the inline-six engine with a larger electric motor, delivering a total system output of 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and up to 39 miles of all-electric range. The Silver Anniversary Edition included the xOffroad Package, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different power configurations, starting with the XLE FWD, which had a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery pack, producing 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor bZ models, available only with the larger battery, produced 338 hp, with a range of 288 miles for the XLE AWD. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter for various charging stations. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the bZ averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. However, the bZ lacked one-pedal driving capability, and its handling was less suited for winding roads due to the all-season tires and lifeless steering.

The 2025 BMW X5 was a two-row, five-seater SUV with generous passenger space, though not class-leading. It offered about two inches less first-row legroom compared to some competitors but provided additional headroom. The sport seats in the X5 were appreciated for their bolstering during cornering and comfort on long drives. The X5's cargo space was competitive, with 33.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The split tailgate design was a standout feature, providing convenience for loading and unloading cargo. The X5's towing capacity of 7,200 pounds was reasonable for its size.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured standard height adjustment, and both XLE and Limited trims provided eight-way power adjustment for the driver. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear liftgate, with an underfloor storage well for additional room. Folding the back seats down provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2025 BMW X5 featured a curved dashboard display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, running BMW Operating System 8. The iDrive infotainment system remained intuitive, offering multiple control options, including a rotary controller, touchscreen, voice recognition, and steering wheel controls. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and augmented reality navigation was available. The digital key connectivity allowed smartphones to replace the key fob.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was generally easy to use, though it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. Five connected service plans were complimentary, with varying trial durations. The Drive Connect powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2025 BMW X5 came equipped with standard Active Driving Assistant features, including lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package offered Highway Assistant, a hands-free system for steering at speeds up to 85 mph. The Parking Assistant setup included Reversing Assistant, with an optional Parking Assistance Professional Package adding advanced parking features. The X5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs for added safety. The Limited trim offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.