2022 Nissan Altima vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a decidedly restrained design, distinguishing itself from the flashier 3 Series and the more imposing 7 Series. It didn’t clamor for attention like many other luxury sedans. For the 2021 model year, BMW introduced a minor styling refresh that enhanced the sedan’s sleekness. The standard LED headlights sported a more streamlined design compared to the previous versions, fitting flush with the front end. The signature twin-kidney grille was larger but didn’t reach the exaggerated dimensions seen on the 7 Series.

Changes included trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and redesigned front and rear bumpers for the M Sport Package. The sedan gained 1.2 inches in length but maintained an impressive drag coefficient of 0.27, optimizing aerodynamic efficiency.

Inside, the 5 Series retained its recognizable BMW aesthetic, with a familiar layout from previous years. The interior exuded a distinctly BMW ambiance, characterized by specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning, the unique shifter, the typefaces, and signature door chimes. These elements were emblematic of BMW’s identity, equally important as the vehicle’s driving dynamics.

Standard models featured SensaTec upholstery, while real leather upholstery was available at an additional cost, with options like Dakota and Nappa leather. The test 540i xDrive came with Nappa leather in Mocha, costing an extra $2,500 and elevating the interior’s luxury feel. Aluminum trim with a scale pattern added to the premium ambiance, although the standard leather-wrapped “sport” steering wheel felt slightly out of place, appearing bulkier than necessary given the light effort required by the electric power steering.

In comparison, the 2022 Nissan Altima had undergone significant stylistic evolution since its introduction in 1993. Originally featuring bland, softly rounded exterior styling, it transformed drastically with its third generation in 2002 into a sharper, sportier design. The current sixth-generation model continued this successful formula.

The 2022 Altima was offered in five trims: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. Characterized by Nissan's V-Motion grille, the Altima featured a low, wide stance, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped “floating” roofline. The Midnight Edition option package on the test SR trim adorned the car with gloss black painted elements, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a moonroof, and more, enhancing the Altima's sporty appeal.

Gun Metallic paint complemented the Midnight Package, accentuating the sedan’s aesthetic. Inside, the highlights included comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-designed instrument panel, and center stack. Quality materials gave the Altima a somewhat premium feel, though lower trims had less impressive materials, consistent with the vehicle's pricing.

For the 2021 BMW 5 Series, BMW offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This version could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed electronically capped at 130 mph with standard tires, or 155 mph with performance tires. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, along with rear-wheel drive, with xDrive all-wheel drive as an option.

The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, generating 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. This set-up allowed the rear-wheel-drive 540i to reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, or 4.6 seconds with xDrive. Like the 530i, it was governed to top speeds of 130 mph or 155 mph, depending on tire choice.

Higher up the hierarchy, the M550i xDrive came with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, offering 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The M5 Competition took this further with 617 hp from the same engine, reaching 60 mph in a blistering 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph when equipped with the M Driver’s Package.

For eco-conscious drivers, the 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It could reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and offered substantial electric-only range, although precise figures for the 2021 model had yet to be published.

For the 2022 Nissan Altima, the engine options included a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and the more sophisticated 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, delivering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Both engines utilized direct injection. The base engine offered a choice of FWD or AWD across most trims, while the more powerful VC-Turbo was exclusive to the SR trim with FWD. All models came with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The technologically advanced VC-Turbo engine could adjust its compression ratio between 8:1 for high performance and 14:1 for fuel efficiency by altering the stroke of the pistons. It offered V6-like power with four-cylinder efficiency.

The test Altima featured the base 2.5-liter engine, providing a mix of performance and economy. However, with AWD, acceleration was somewhat lackluster. The CVT, while smooth, failed to deliver exciting performance. Yet, the ride quality was superior, with the suspension providing a comfortable experience thanks to Active Ride Control, and the cabin was notably quiet, offering Infiniti-level refinement.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was offered solely as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the U.S. Despite lacking a wagon variant like its competitors Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and Volvo S90, the 5 Series sedan provided ample space. Front-seat dimensions were competitive, and while rear seats seemed less spacious on paper, they offered adequate legroom. The 540i model boasted 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The rear bench could fold down in a 40/20/20 split, accommodating longer cargo.

The test 540i xDrive featured 16-way power front seats, with four-way lumbar support, driver memory, heating, and cooling. These seats provided a balance of cushioning and supportive bolstering. Forward visibility was hampered by the long hood, though a surround-view camera system mitigated parking difficulty.

The 2022 Nissan Altima excelled as a practical midsize sedan, ideal for commuting and family transport. Offering comfortable seating for four adults and manageable space for five on shorter trips, it included user-friendly controls and a spacious back seat. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, less than the Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata but more than the Toyota Camry. The Altima also had the largest fuel tank among its competitors at 16.2 gallons.

Notably, the Altima had some drawbacks, such as a high rear shelf that impeded rearward visibility, especially at stops or when moving forward. The sloped roofline and tall trunk further restricted the view. Conversely, the rear camera display aided in reversing. The trunk’s metal supports also posed the risk of crushing items when closing the lid fully.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series upgraded to a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the new iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot.

The display quality of both the instrument cluster and infotainment screen were top-notch. However, the layout left something to be desired, with a power meter replacing the tachometer in non-sport modes—a feature likely to confuse drivers unfamiliar with hybrid systems.

The infotainment system used a rotary knob, preferred for its tactile feedback compared to touchscreens alone. "Hey BMW" voice control and gesture controls were also available, though gesture input required precision and familiarity, making traditional controls like volume knobs seem more straightforward.

For the 2022 Nissan Altima, the entry-level S trim came with a 5-inch information display and a 7-inch color touchscreen with basic connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Siri Eyes Free. Other trims offered a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an upgrade to an 8-inch color touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM, and additional USB ports. Higher trims, starting with the SL, included a nine-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, connected services, and remote start with climate control.

The drive-assist display allowed drivers to manage text messages, audio streaming, fuel economy, and navigation without taking their hands off the wheel. The SR VC-Turbo trim included active noise cancellation through the car’s speakers, reducing cabin noise. Available features like traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree Around View Monitor, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system—with capabilities like adaptive cruise control and lane centering—enhanced the Altima's tech offerings.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS for its 2021 model, but the nearly identical 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, the highest from the institute. It scored top marks in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tests. The headlights were rated "marginal" as standard but received a "good" rating with optional upgrades. NHTSA ratings for the 5 Series were not available.

Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist, which could maneuver the car to a stop in emergencies.

Similarly, the 2022 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with standard driver-assist technologies. Standard features across most trims included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Each Altima also had automatic high beams, driver-attention warning, a Rear View Monitor, rear door alert, and hill-start assist.

From the SV trim up, Safety Shield 360 added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear sonar system. An available Driver Assist package on the base S trim included these additional features as well.

NHTSA gave the FWD version of the 2022 Altima a five-star rating for overall crash protection, reflecting high scores in front crash protection, side crash protection, and rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded the Altima a "Top Safety Pick+" designation, with "Good" ratings in all six crash tests, and favorable scores in crash avoidance, headlights, and child-seat anchor categories.