BMW 6 Series vs BMW 5 Series
Overview | |
Years produced1976-1989 | Years produced1972-Present |
MSRP$81,500 | MSRP$59,900 |
Listings620 | Listings8840 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews Summary | |
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. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.0L 315 hp I6 | Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower315 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway29 | MPG Highway35 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.0L 315 hp I6 | Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Torque330 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | Torque295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
Horsepower315 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower255 hp @ 4700 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway29 | MPG Highway35 |
Interior | |
Leather SeatsStandard | Leather Seats |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space16.2 cu ft | Cargo Space18.4 cu ft |
Curb Weight4165 lbs | Curb Weight4041 lbs |
Height54.8 in | Height59.6 in |
Length197.1 in | Length199.2 in |
Width82.3 in | Width84.9 in |
Wheelbase116.9 in | Wheelbase117.9 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload977 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1976-1989 | 1972-Present |
MSRP | $81,500 | $59,900 |
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 | 3.0L 315 hp I6 | 2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5800 rpm | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 29 | 35 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.0L 315 hp I6 | 2.0L 255 hp I4 |
Torque | 330 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm |
Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5800 rpm | 255 hp @ 4700 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 29 | 35 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Standard | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | Standard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | Standard |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 16.2 cu ft | 18.4 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4165 lbs | 4041 lbs |
Height | 54.8 in | 59.6 in |
Length | 197.1 in | 199.2 in |
Width | 82.3 in | 84.9 in |
Wheelbase | 116.9 in | 117.9 in |
Maximum Payload | 977 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.