2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta presented a conservative and somewhat bland appearance, which was typical of the brand's design philosophy. Despite its lack of visual excitement, the Jetta SEL trim offered an upscale feel with features like ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and a large power sunroof. The interior, channeling the VW Group’s Audi luxury brand, provided a sense of emotional value at a price point under $30,000. However, the Jetta's design, even after a recent refresh, lacked the symmetry and balance that characterized previous generations, making it visually inoffensive but not particularly striking.

In contrast, the 2024 BMW 5 Series showcased a clean, crisp, and minimalist design, both inside and out, adhering to BMW’s current styling language. The 530i test car featured a large shiny grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with M Sport bodywork adding a touch of flair. Inside, the M Sport treatment continued with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles, creating a modern and elegant cabin. However, the interior suffered from reflections and glare, complicating the use of controls. Despite these issues, the 530i M Sport exuded luxury, with the BMW Curved Display and iDrive 8.5 infotainment system adding technological sophistication.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, with its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivered 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided zippy acceleration and a nimble feel, especially in urban and suburban settings. The Jetta's light, responsive steering and soft suspension contributed to a comfortable ride, though the automatic transmission exhibited a noticeable delay in response, leading to occasional surges in power. The Jetta SEL averaged 30 mpg on a mountainous testing loop, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 33 mpg. Despite these quirks, the Jetta SEL offered a rewarding driving experience, with accurate steering, faithful brakes, and impressive all-season tires.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series, specifically the 530i model, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system enhanced efficiency, and BMW estimated a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The 530i provided effortless acceleration and a refined driving experience, with a quiet engine and smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The M Sport suspension offered a supple ride, and the car excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its variable-ratio sport steering and capable braking components. However, the 530i felt remote and muted, lacking the connection between driver and machine that BMW was once known for. The 530i M Sport returned 24.7 mpg on the evaluation loop, below the EPA's combined estimate of 30 mpg.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, straddling the compact and midsize sedan segments, offered ample space for a family of four. The interior featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Jetta provided generous storage space, including a large trunk with 14.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The back seat offered plenty of legroom and comfort, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The Jetta's design allowed for easy entry and exit, with large doors and a tall seat cushion.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series excelled as a luxury car, with a spacious interior and comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. The standard power-adjustable front seats were wrapped in perforated Veganza artificial leather, though ventilated seats were missing. The rear seat offered excellent occupant positioning and support, with ample legroom, headroom, and footroom. Interior storage was adequate, with a tray for smartphones, door armrest storage, and a small bin under the center armrest. The 5 Series boasted an 18.4 cubic-foot trunk, though a spare tire storage box reduced cargo space.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a Beats Audio premium sound system. However, the infotainment system had some usability issues, such as a cumbersome radio tuning process and limited voice recognition capabilities. Car-Net connected services offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and several safety features, but the Beats Audio system was not particularly satisfying.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single curved display. The iDrive 8.5 system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and a personal eSIM 5G connection. The Premium Package added a head-up display and Natural Interaction, allowing for voice and gesture controls. However, the Intelligent Personal Assistant had mixed performance, and the Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound system did not meet expectations. The Premium Package also included Parking Assistant Plus and an interior camera for remote monitoring and selfies.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with IQ.Drive, a package of advanced driving assistance systems. This included Travel Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid, and Emergency Assist, which could identify an unresponsive driver and bring the car to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series was equipped with Active Driving Assistant, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added more advanced features, but our test car did not have this package. The lane-departure warning system was sophisticated, issuing alerts only when necessary. The 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS but did not receive the higher Top Safety Pick+ rating.