2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2024 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2024 BMW 5 Series was designed with a focus on aerodynamics and modern styling, presenting a clean and minimalist aesthetic both inside and out. The 530i test car featured a prominent shiny grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with the M Sport bodywork adding a touch of flair, especially when paired with the Carbon Black paint. Inside, the M Sport treatment continued with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles, contrasting with the otherwise black cabin. However, the interior surfaces often caused reflections and glare, complicating the use of controls. The BMW Curved Display housed most features on a screen, with traditional iDrive controls on the center console, though many were touch-sensing and placed on gloss black surfaces, which proved frustrating to use. Despite these issues, the 530i M Sport exuded luxury, with advanced technology like the BMW Curved Display and iDrive 8.5 infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, despite its last redesign in 2019, maintained a modern and luxurious appearance. The car's swooping lines and scalloped bodywork made it look at home among luxury vehicles. The front featured squinting headlights with LED turn signals and stylish round lighting elements, adding to its dramatic design. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the hatchback was favored for its better looks and more usable storage space. Our test car, a Mazda3 Hatchback with Turbo Premium Plus trim, impressed with its material quality and value, especially when compared to luxury brands like Audi or BMW. The interior boasted red leather upholstery, with leather trimmings covering the doors and dashboard, and a black leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, creating a beautifully designed and furnished driver's seat.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series, specifically the 530i model, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. BMW estimated a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.9 seconds. The engine provided smooth and quiet acceleration, with the eight-speed automatic transmission shifting almost imperceptibly. The M Sport suspension offered a supple ride quality, and the car handled well on twisty roads, thanks to its variable-ratio sport steering and M Sport braking components. However, the driving experience felt remote and muted, akin to playing a video game, which was disappointing for a BMW. Fuel economy was below expectations, with the 530i M Sport returning 24.7 mpg on the evaluation loop and averaging 26.7 mpg during the test week, falling short of the EPA estimate of 30 mpg combined.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Our Turbo Premium Plus test vehicle, with its turbo engine, delivered a delightful driving experience in all scenarios. The intelligent AWD system managed traction well, though the car's low ground clearance made it less suitable for snowy conditions. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the turbocharged powertrain achieving 23/31/26 mpg for the hatchback. The Mazda3 excelled on back roads, with its chassis handling corners well despite a torsion beam suspension. The steering was tight and precise, with minimal body roll, making it a joy for enthusiastic drivers.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series excelled as a luxury car, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The driver’s seat felt larger than a midsize, with a high seating position and good visibility. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, though ventilated seats were absent, which was disappointing given the car's price. The rear seat was equally comfortable, with ample legroom, headroom, and footroom. Interior storage was adequate, with a tray for smartphones, door armrests, and a small bin under the center armrest. The trunk offered 18.4 cubic feet of space, though a spare tire storage box reduced cargo room.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3, while beautiful, was less practical. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive with some rivals, but rear passenger space was limited, with tight legroom and headroom. The sedan had even less trunk space at 13.2 cubic feet. The hatchback's design created a significant blind spot, and rearward visibility was poor due to the small rear window and rear lip spoiler.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series 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. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, a personal eSIM 5G connection, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and more. The iDrive controls were part of a touch-sensing panel, which was not user-friendly. The Premium Package added a head-up display and Natural Interaction, allowing voice and gesture controls. However, the Intelligent Personal Assistant was unreliable, often providing incorrect directions. The optional Bowers and Wilkins surround-sound system was a reasonable upgrade, though sound quality was underwhelming.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 used a rotary controller for its infotainment system, which some found safer than a touchscreen. The system included an 8.8-inch display on most trims, with a new 10.25-inch screen on top trims. The larger screen offered touchscreen functionality only with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which were standard. A wireless charging pad was available, and the Mazda Connect system offered Wi-Fi, remote services, navigation, and roadside assistance. The Bose stereo in higher trims sounded good, and while the system took time to get used to, it was well-featured.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series came with Active Driving Assistant, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added more advanced features, though our test car did not have it. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist were subtle and effective. The 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Mazda MAZDA3 received five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist as standard. Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go was also included, with the Turbo Premium Plus trim adding Cruising and Traffic Support for enhanced traffic assistance.