2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series and the imposing size of the 7 Series. It received a minor styling refresh for 2021, featuring sleeker LED headlights, a larger twin-kidney grille, and new trapezoidal tailpipes. The interior maintained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning and the unusual-looking shifter. Lower trim levels came with standard SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a hot hatch icon, retained its sporty enhancements over the regular Golf. It featured small red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The interior had red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats. The GTI's quality feel was evident in its first-rate paintwork and high-quality interior materials.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrains. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp, while the M5 boasted 617 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, offering 288 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It featured a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with a standard six-speed manual option. The GTI's handling was enhanced by a four-wheel independent suspension, DCC adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering. Fuel economy was 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined for the dual-clutch transmission.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a four-door sedan, offered spacious front seats and adequate rear-seat room. It had 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, more than the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench had a 40/20/20 split fold for longer items. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, but forward visibility was poor due to the long, high hood.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a compact hatchback, was highly functional with 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's compact dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The cabin featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and a mechanical handbrake.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with iDrive 7, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile feel, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also an option, though less precise than traditional knobs.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster with a configurable driver information screen. The MIB touchscreen infotainment system was standard, with a 6.5-inch screen on S models and an 8-inch screen with navigation on SE and Autobahn models. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink were standard, along with Bluetooth and two USB ports. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity features, including Amazon Alexa integration.

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

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap front passenger side test. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and park assist.