2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted a prestigious aura that outshone the Infiniti QX80 and Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that were more sophisticated than those found in the Lexus LX 570, and its visual presence was more commanding than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the choice of a luxury SUV often came down to personal preference, and the X7 was no exception.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was a testament to durability and space, though it showed its age. Introduced in 2007, the Sequoia received a facelift in 2018, which included updated headlights and grille, along with some new tech. For 2021, it introduced the Nightshade Special Edition, but the overall design remained largely unchanged. The Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design harkened back to the mid-2000s, and its standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared small against the expansive dashboard. Despite its size, the Sequoia offered a comfortable and supportive seating arrangement, particularly in the second row, which provided ample headroom and legroom.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The X7 featured BMW’s eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and a second battery, aimed at improving fuel economy and responsiveness. Despite these enhancements, the X7's fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering a smooth and serene driving experience, although it exhibited some body motions that could detract from driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive. The Sequoia's acceleration was strong, even with its substantial weight of up to 6,000 pounds. Its driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a lurching V8, soft suspension, and powerful brakes. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some of its competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, but still respectable for its class.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like heated rear seats, five-zone climate control, and premium Merino leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, with heated seats, armrests, and steering wheel as standard. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though access could be challenging due to the long rear doors. The X7's third-row seating was surprisingly accommodating for adults, and the power clamshell tailgate revealed a modest cargo space of 48.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, expanding to 90.4 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats down, the Sequoia offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options with deep door pockets and a large center console. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was functional and offered plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic and parking information. Wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control were also available, though the latter could be inconsistent. The X7's technology was user-friendly, though it required some acclimation while driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model featured a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was straightforward and easy to use, with large hard buttons for navigation. While the technology was dated, it provided essential connectivity features and was refreshingly simple to operate.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist, which worked well in various driving conditions. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera, enhancing the X7's safety offerings.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. While the Sequoia lacked more advanced safety technologies, it provided a generous list of standard features. However, it scored only four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in other crash tests.