2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2021 BMW 5 Series
Overview | |
MSRP$22,995 | MSRP$54,200 |
Listings262 | Listings303 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
2020 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryVolkswagen builds a full-size car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has for nearly a decade. It’s called the Passat, and it gets a restyle for 2020. Huge inside like a full-size automobile, priced like a midsize sedan, and thrifty with gas like a compact car, the Passat has long been one of my favorite family haulers. Unfortunately, what it needs is a redesign, not a restyle. But since consumers want SUVs instead of sedans and VW is about to roll out a squadron of electric vehicles, the company couldn’t make a business case for spending a pile of cash to craft a new gas-powered car. Instead, you get the old one wearing a new suit. | |
2021 BMW 5 Series 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 | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City23 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | Torque257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City23 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight3325 lbs | Curb Weight3765 lbs |
Height58.0 in | Height58.2 in |
Length193.6 in | Length195.8 in |
Width72.2 in | Width83.7 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase117.1 in |
Maximum Payload926 lbs | Maximum Payload800 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $22,995 | $54,200 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | Volkswagen builds a full-size car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has for nearly a decade. It’s called the Passat, and it gets a restyle for 2020. Huge inside like a full-size automobile, priced like a midsize sedan, and thrifty with gas like a compact car, the Passat has long been one of my favorite family haulers. Unfortunately, what it needs is a redesign, not a restyle. But since consumers want SUVs instead of sedans and VW is about to roll out a squadron of electric vehicles, the company couldn’t make a business case for spending a pile of cash to craft a new gas-powered car. Instead, you get the old one wearing a new suit. | 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 | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 23 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 23 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3325 lbs | 3765 lbs |
Height | 58.0 in | 58.2 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 195.8 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 83.7 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 117.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 926 lbs | 800 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 BMW 5 Series scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat emerges as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a spacious, value-oriented midsize sedan with a comprehensive suite of safety features and strong overall value.
Choose the 2020 Volkswagen Passat if:
- You prioritize a spacious interior with ample storage and excellent outward visibility.
- You seek a midsize sedan with competitive pricing and strong value.
- You value a comprehensive suite of safety features and top ratings in crash-test assessments.
Choose the 2021 BMW 5 Series if:
- You desire a luxury sedan with advanced technology and connectivity features.
- You are looking for a range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid variant.
- You are willing to invest in a premium sedan with sophisticated seating options and advanced driver-assist tech.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 BMW 5 Series scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat emerges as the recommended choice for consumers seeking a spacious, value-oriented midsize sedan with a comprehensive suite of safety features and strong overall value.
Choose the 2020 Volkswagen Passat if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a spacious interior with ample storage and excellent outward visibility.
- You seek a midsize sedan with competitive pricing and strong value.
- You value a comprehensive suite of safety features and top ratings in crash-test assessments.
Choose the 2021 BMW 5 Series if:
Shop Now- You desire a luxury sedan with advanced technology and connectivity features.
- You are looking for a range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid variant.
- You are willing to invest in a premium sedan with sophisticated seating options and advanced driver-assist tech.
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.