2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, with updates that included a revised grille design, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors. Higher trim levels, such as the SL, featured 19-inch wheels that enhanced the car's visual appeal, though these wheels were prone to damage. The Altima SL, one of the more luxurious trims, offered a comfortable interior with some hard plastic elements, and the new simulated wood dashboard trim was not particularly convincing. However, the double-stitched seams added a touch of sophistication.

In contrast, the 2024 BMW 5 Series showcased a clean, crisp, and minimalist design, both inside and out. The 530i test car featured a large shiny grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with M Sport bodywork adding a touch of flair. The interior was equally impressive, with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles. However, the glossy surfaces created reflections and glare, making it harder to use the controls. Despite this, the 530i M Sport exuded luxury and sophistication, with advanced technology and a refined driving experience.

The 2023 Altima, except for the SR VC-Turbo, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This engine produced 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, and 182 hp and 178 lb-ft with all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system, available with SV, SR, and SL trims, could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR trim featured paddle shifters for added driver engagement. Fuel economy ranged from 30 to 32 mpg in combined driving, though the SL AWD test vehicle averaged 27.4 mpg.

For a more spirited drive, the Altima SR VC-Turbo offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 236 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque on regular gas, and 248 hp and 273 lb-ft on premium fuel. This engine was paired with a paddle-shifted CVT and FWD, with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 29 mpg in combined driving. The SR and SR VC-Turbo models also featured a sport-tuned suspension, brake-based Active Ride Control, and Intelligent Trace Control systems. Despite its heavier weight, the SL AWD provided adequate performance, though the ride was firm and road noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2024 BMW 530i, the least powerful and most affordable version of the new 5 Series, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system aided efficiency, and BMW estimated a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The 530i effortlessly accelerated onto freeways and overtook slower vehicles, with a quiet and smooth engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifted almost imperceptibly. The M Sport suspension provided a supple ride quality, and the car was capable on twisty back roads, thanks to standard variable-ratio sport steering and M Sport braking components.

Despite its capabilities, the 530i felt remote and muted, lacking the sense of connection between driver and machine that once defined BMW. Fuel economy was also disappointing, with the test car returning 24.7 mpg on the evaluation loop and averaging 26.7 mpg during the week, below the EPA estimate of 30 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Altima's interior was simple, easy to use, and comfortable, with controls laid out logically and rendered in matte black for easy readability. The Zero Gravity seats were exceptionally comfortable, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima SL test vehicle featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the front passenger seat offered only four-way power adjustment, and the low seating position made entry and exit more challenging.

Rear seat comfort was good, with plenty of legroom, foot room, and headroom, though rear air conditioning vents were only available on higher trims. Interior storage was reasonable, with door panel trays, a large tray forward of the transmission shifter, and a good-sized storage bin under the center armrest. The trunk measured 15.4 cubic feet, smaller than some competitors, but usefully shaped. However, the lack of a grip or handle made it difficult to close the lid without getting dirty.

The 2024 BMW 530i excelled as a luxury car, with a spacious interior that felt larger than a midsizer. The standard power-adjustable front seats were incredibly comfortable, wrapped in perforated Veganza artificial leather, and the test car featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was just as comfortable as the front, with perfect occupant positioning and support, and ample legroom, headroom, and footroom. However, the rough plastic at the front seat bases could scuff expensive shoes.

Interior storage was adequate, with a tray for smartphones, door armrest and lower panel storage, a small bin under the split-top center armrest, and a good-sized glove compartment. The trunk offered 18.4 cubic feet of space, though the test car's spare tire storage box significantly reduced cargo room. The enclosed trunk hinges allowed maximum use of the available space, and the deep wells on either side of the spare tire container were handy.

The 2023 Altima's base S trim level featured a basic radio with a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrading to SV or SR trim added an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio with the expanded 360L service. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available with SV and SR trims and standard with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, offered a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

The 12.3-inch system also included NissanConnect Services, with remote engine starting, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and an SOS calling button. The Bose nine-speaker premium audio system, available with SL and SR VC-Turbo trims, performed well for some types of music but not others. The new infotainment system represented a significant improvement, with a superior user interface, appealing graphics, and effective voice recognition technology.

The 2024 BMW 530i featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single curved display, running BMW Operating System 8.5 (iDrive 8.5). The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, a personal eSIM 5G connection, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and video gaming capability. The iDrive controls on the center console were part of a gloss-black touch-sensing panel, which collected lint and fingerprints and suffered from glare and reflections.

The test car's Premium Package added a head-up display and Natural Interaction, allowing interaction through voice and gesture controls. The gesture control tech was improved, but the Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) voice control was hit-and-miss, sometimes providing incorrect or irrelevant information. The optional Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound system, a $950 upgrade, featured classy metal speaker grilles but did not meet expectations in sound quality. The Premium Package also included Parking Assistant Plus, with an impressive exterior camera array and a Drive Recorder system, as well as an interior camera for remote monitoring and selfies.

The 2023 Altima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver monitoring system. The lane-departure warning system used a helpful vibration through the steering wheel, and the blind-spot monitoring system employed a light on the trim near the windshield pillar. The Altima also featured a rear-seat reminder system and an Easy Fill Tire Alert.

Starting with the SV trim, the Altima added a rear automatic braking system, while the SR trim included automatic high-beam headlights. ProPilot Assist, optional with SV trim and standard on SL and SR VC-Turbo, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist for highway driving. The SL and SR VC-Turbo trims also featured a surround-view camera system to help with reversing. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2022 calendar year, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact test.

The 2024 BMW 530i came standard with Active Driving Assistant, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. BMW Assist eCall provided automatic collision notification and an SOS emergency request button. The Driving Assistant Professional Package, an optional upgrade, added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and emergency stop assist, as well as hands-on and hands-free semi-autonomous driving aids.

The test car did not have the Driving Assistant Professional Package, but the standard lane-departure warning system was sophisticated and subtle, issuing alerts only when necessary. The lane-keeping assist function was also subtle and barely noticeable. The 2024 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it did not receive the higher Top Safety Pick+ rating due to the lack of a new moderate-overlap frontal-impact evaluation.