BMW 5 Series vs Subaru WRX
Overview | |
MSRP$54,200 | MSRP$30,605 |
Average price$27,687 | Average price$24,313 |
Listings9395 | Listings5338 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
Reviews SummaryBMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout. Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better. That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment. | |
Reviews SummarySubaru's image is centered around rugged station wagons, outdoor activities, and cute dogs, but the automaker also has a sporty side—exemplified by the 2023 Subaru WRX. The WRX first appeared in the 1990s as a homologation special for the World Rally Championship (WRC), which at the time required cars to be closely related to production models. Subaru viewed rallying as the perfect way to show off its all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles so, after a trial with the Legacy midsize sedan, it launched the Impreza-based WRX with the goal of becoming more competitive. It worked: Subaru has won multiple rally championships and the WRX has endeared it to car enthusiasts. Subaru didn't begin selling the WRX in the United States until the 2002 model year, but it's remained a fixture of the automaker's U.S. lineup every since, competing against other sporty compact cars like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, and other derivatives of those models. The current, fourth-generation WRX was introduced for the 2022 model year, so there are no changes to report for 2023. The lineup includes base, Premium, Limited, and GT trim levels. For this review, we drove the WRX GT, which sits at the top of the range. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 248 hp I4 | Engine2.4L 271 hp H4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower271 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City25 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway26 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 248 hp I4 | Engine Name2.4L 271 hp H4 |
Torque257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | Torque258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower271 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City25 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway26 |
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 Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.0 cu ft | Cargo Space12.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight3765 lbs | Curb Weight3431 lbs |
Height58.2 in | Height57.8 in |
Length195.8 in | Length183.8 in |
Width83.7 in | Width79.3 in |
Wheelbase117.1 in | Wheelbase105.1 in |
Maximum Payload800 lbs | Maximum Payload1189 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $54,200 | $30,605 |
Average price | $27,687 | $24,313 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.8 |
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | BMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout. Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better. That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes. The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment. | Subaru's image is centered around rugged station wagons, outdoor activities, and cute dogs, but the automaker also has a sporty side—exemplified by the 2023 Subaru WRX. The WRX first appeared in the 1990s as a homologation special for the World Rally Championship (WRC), which at the time required cars to be closely related to production models. Subaru viewed rallying as the perfect way to show off its all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles so, after a trial with the Legacy midsize sedan, it launched the Impreza-based WRX with the goal of becoming more competitive. It worked: Subaru has won multiple rally championships and the WRX has endeared it to car enthusiasts. Subaru didn't begin selling the WRX in the United States until the 2002 model year, but it's remained a fixture of the automaker's U.S. lineup every since, competing against other sporty compact cars like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, and other derivatives of those models. The current, fourth-generation WRX was introduced for the 2022 model year, so there are no changes to report for 2023. The lineup includes base, Premium, Limited, and GT trim levels. For this review, we drove the WRX GT, which sits at the top of the range. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 248 hp I4 | 2.4L 271 hp H4 |
Drive Train | RWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | 271 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 25 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 26 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 248 hp I4 | 2.4L 271 hp H4 |
Torque | 257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | 271 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 25 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 26 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.0 cu ft | 12.5 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3765 lbs | 3431 lbs |
Height | 58.2 in | 57.8 in |
Length | 195.8 in | 183.8 in |
Width | 83.7 in | 79.3 in |
Wheelbase | 117.1 in | 105.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 800 lbs | 1189 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.