BMW 3 Series vs BMW 5 Series
Overview | |
MSRP$43,800 | MSRP$54,200 |
Average price$22,155 | Average price$27,850 |
Listings9610 | Listings9584 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
Reviews SummaryBMW’s best-selling car enjoys a mid-cycle refresh for 2023. Sleeker styling, an updated driver-oriented cockpit, and loads of new technology make the new BMW 3 Series sports sedan as competitive as ever. | |
Reviews SummaryBMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout. Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better. That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City25 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm | Torque257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City25 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.0 cu ft | Cargo Space14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight3536 lbs | Curb Weight3765 lbs |
Height56.8 in | Height58.2 in |
Length185.9 in | Length195.8 in |
Width81.4 in | Width83.7 in |
Wheelbase112.2 in | Wheelbase117.1 in |
Maximum Payload829 lbs | Maximum Payload800 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $43,800 | $54,200 |
Average price | $22,155 | $27,850 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 8.7 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | BMW’s best-selling car enjoys a mid-cycle refresh for 2023. Sleeker styling, an updated driver-oriented cockpit, and loads of new technology make the new BMW 3 Series sports sedan as competitive as ever. | BMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout. Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better. That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 25 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm | 257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5000 rpm | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 25 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | Standard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | Standard |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.0 cu ft | 14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3536 lbs | 3765 lbs |
Height | 56.8 in | 58.2 in |
Length | 185.9 in | 195.8 in |
Width | 81.4 in | 83.7 in |
Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 117.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 829 lbs | 800 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.