BMW 5 Series vs Audi A7
Overview | |
Years produced1972-Present | Years produced2012-Present |
MSRP$59,900 | MSRP$72,000 |
Listings8731 | Listings609 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews SummaryThe 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. | |
Reviews Summary | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine3.0L 335 hp V6 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower335 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City28 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway35 | MPG Highway30 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name3.0L 335 hp V6 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | Torque369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower335 hp @ 5000 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City28 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway35 | MPG Highway30 |
Interior | |
Leather Seats | Leather SeatsStandard |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space18.4 cu ft | Cargo Space24.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight4041 lbs | Curb Weight4343 lbs |
Height59.6 in | Height56.0 in |
Length199.2 in | Length195.6 in |
Width84.9 in | Width83.4 in |
Wheelbase117.9 in | Wheelbase115.2 in |
Maximum Payload977 lbs | Maximum Payload1102 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1972-Present | 2012-Present |
MSRP | $59,900 | $72,000 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | 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. | |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 3.0L 335 hp V6 |
Drive Train | RWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 335 hp @ 5000 rpm |
MPG City | 28 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 35 | 30 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 3.0L 335 hp V6 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 335 hp @ 5000 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 28 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 35 | 30 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Standard | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | Standard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | Standard |
Safety | ||
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 18.4 cu ft | 24.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4041 lbs | 4343 lbs |
Height | 59.6 in | 56.0 in |
Length | 199.2 in | 195.6 in |
Width | 84.9 in | 83.4 in |
Wheelbase | 117.9 in | 115.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 977 lbs | 1102 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.







































