BMW 5 Series vs Alfa Romeo Giulia

The BMW 5 Series is one of three cars that prove the country known for Autobahns, the Nürburgring, and Oktoberfest builds the best luxury sedans on the planet. It competes with the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, each taking a distinct approach to design but measuring up closely in other parameters. The 2026 5 Series is virtually unchanged, entering its third year following a 2024 redesign, and this review is about the 540i xDrive model.

Verdict: Putting BMW’s love-it-or-hate-it design aside, the 2026 540i xDrive is a sensational automobile offering the right blend of luxury, technology, and performance. Choose the M Sport setup for maximum driving enjoyment, or stick with the standard specification to emphasize luxury. Either way, the styling is the most controversial thing about the 5 Series.

Enthusiasts are the target audience for Alfa’s sole non-crossover. For starters, it’s a sedan in a world gone mad for SUVs. Also, crash-test ratings are nonexistent, making it a non-starter for anyone who cares about safety. But the elephant in the room is wearing a hat that says reliability and, depending on which publication or research organization is doing the reporting, all the signs point in the wrong direction.

Verdict: With only a four-year/50,000-mile warranty protecting Alfa Romeo owners from potential doom, buying a Giulia is a gamble. Leasing one might be fun, as long as it spends more time in your driveway than in the shop. If only the Giulia boasted the dependability of a Toyota Camry, it could be the most desirable car in its class.