Compare the2022 Toyota Avalon HybridVS 2022 BMW 530e

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 530e doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 530e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Avalon Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 530e doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Avalon Hybrid Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 530e only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Avalon Hybrid and the 530e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Avalon Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 530e has not been fully tested, yet.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Avalon Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 530e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 530e ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Avalon Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. BMW is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the Avalon Hybrid gets better mileage than the 530e running its gasoline engine:

The Avalon Hybrid has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the 530e (13.2 vs. 12.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 530e doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Avalon Hybrid XSE Nightshade’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 530e’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Avalon Hybrid XSE Nightshade has standard 19-inch wheels. The 530e’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 530e; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Avalon Hybrid XLE’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the 530e’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Avalon Hybrid Limited’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the 530e xDrive’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the BMW 530e.

The design of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Avalon Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the 530e (.29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Avalon Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Avalon Hybrid a Mid-size car, while the 530e is rated a Compact.

The Avalon Hybrid has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 530e (103.8 vs. 98.8).

The Avalon Hybrid has .7 inches more front legroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the 530e.

The Avalon Hybrid has a much larger trunk than the 530e (16.1 vs. 10 cubic feet).

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Avalon Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The 530e doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 530e doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Avalon Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Avalon Hybrid will cost $5565 to $7005 less than the 530e over a five-year period.

The Avalon Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Avalon Hybrid will retain 46.31% to 47.17% of its original price after five years, while the 530e only retains 39.72% to 40%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid will be $25998 to $28078 less than for the BMW 530e.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Avalon Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.