BMW 5 Series vs Chevrolet Cruze
Overview | |
Years produced1972-Present | Years produced2011-2019 |
MSRP$59,900 | MSRP$16,975 |
Listings8731 | Listings4799 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 |
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 SummaryAs the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City28 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway35 | MPG Highway40 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City28 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway35 | MPG Highway40 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space18.4 cu ft | Cargo Space14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight4041 lbs | Curb Weight2835 lbs |
Height59.6 in | Height57.4 in |
Length199.2 in | Length183.7 in |
Width84.9 in | Width70.5 in |
Wheelbase117.9 in | Wheelbase106.3 in |
Maximum Payload977 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1972-Present | 2011-2019 |
MSRP | $59,900 | $16,975 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 6.7 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. | As the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 28 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 35 | 40 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 28 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 35 | 40 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 4 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 18.4 cu ft | 14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4041 lbs | 2835 lbs |
Height | 59.6 in | 57.4 in |
Length | 199.2 in | 183.7 in |
Width | 84.9 in | 70.5 in |
Wheelbase | 117.9 in | 106.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 977 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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