2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 offered both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback standing out due to its unique curves and silhouette. The sedan, however, was more popular among U.S. shoppers aiming for an upmarket feel. The test vehicle, a sedan with the Premium Package and AWD, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a blacked-out mesh front grille, and round running lamps. The side profile was sculpted without being angular, unlike many competitors. The rear design of the sedan felt somewhat disproportionate, but the hatchback's rounded shape mitigated this issue. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism, with creamy white leather and a driver-focused design. However, the sheet metal felt less sturdy, and the trunk and doors lacked a satisfying thud when closed.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series or the imposing size of the 7 Series. For 2021, it received a minor styling refresh, including streamlined LED headlights and a larger twin-kidney grille. The M Sport Package added trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and new bumpers. The interior retained the familiar BMW layout, with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The 540i xDrive test car featured Nappa leather and aluminum trim, but the sport steering wheel felt out of place. The 5 Series offered a blend of luxury and sportiness, though it felt more like a luxury car playing at being sporty.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The Mazda3's steering remained precise, but the torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure, resulted in a less sophisticated ride. The engine lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged motors, but Mazda announced a turbocharged version for 2021. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission, but only in the FWD hatchback model with the preferred or premium package. Most models, including the test vehicle, came with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 horsepower and 362 pound-feet of torque, and reaching 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 horsepower, while the M5 boasted 617 horsepower. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 288 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds. The 540i xDrive test car offered precise handling and a smooth engine but felt more like a luxury car than a true driver's car.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was 175.6 inches long. The interior provided ample room for the driver, with supportive front seats and soft surfaces. However, the back seat was tight on legroom, and the large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in the U.S., offered spacious front seats and adequate rear-seat room. The 540i had 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, more than the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the rear bench had a 40/20/20 split fold. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating, ventilation, and driver memory. Forward visibility was poor due to the long hood, but a surround-view camera system helped with parking.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display positioned high on the dashboard, controlled by a rotary dial rather than a touchscreen. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The new infotainment software was faster, with sharp graphics and a minimalist design. The head-up display reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The graphics were excellent, but the instrument cluster layout could be confusing. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile feel, and voice control and gesture controls were also available, though the latter could be imprecise.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, virtually identical to the 2020 model, also received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.