Toyota Corolla vs BMW 5 Series
Overview | |
MSRP$20,425 | MSRP$54,200 |
Average price$16,977 | Average price$27,825 |
Listings9495 | Listings9440 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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Reviews SummaryThe Toyota Corolla needs no introduction. With 12 generations spanning over five decades of production, the Corolla is the bestselling nameplate in automotive history. And it continues to be a popular choice for new car buyers looking for a reliable and sensible compact car, competing against other established names like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Jetta for sales. The only significant change for 2022 is the addition of two new colors: Ruby Flare and Windchill Pearl. What hasn’t changed are the number of other choices buyers get. Toyota offers sedan and hatchback body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and multiple powertrain options—including a hybrid. The Corolla Cross SUV also launched for 2022 but, while it shares a basic platform with the Corolla sedan and hatch, it’s effectively a different vehicle. Finally, you get the expected array of trim levels. The Corolla sedan is available in L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE grades, plus Apex Edition and Nightshade Edition versions of SE and XSE, with more limited options for the Corolla hatchback and hybrid (both of which will be covered separately). For this review, we tested the Apex Edition sedan in its lower SE grade. The Apex is the sportiest Corolla variant, at least until the GR Corolla hot hatchback arrives for the 2023 model year. | |
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. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.8L 139 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City30 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway38 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.8L 139 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque | Torque257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City30 | MPG City25 |
MPG Highway38 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemStandard |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Sunroof/MoonroofStandard |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.1 cu ft | Cargo Space14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight2910 lbs | Curb Weight3765 lbs |
Height56.5 in | Height58.2 in |
Length182.3 in | Length195.8 in |
Width70.1 in | Width83.7 in |
Wheelbase106.3 in | Wheelbase117.1 in |
Maximum Payload825 lbs | Maximum Payload800 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $20,425 | $54,200 |
Average price | $16,977 | $27,825 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.3 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 8.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | The Toyota Corolla needs no introduction. With 12 generations spanning over five decades of production, the Corolla is the bestselling nameplate in automotive history. And it continues to be a popular choice for new car buyers looking for a reliable and sensible compact car, competing against other established names like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Jetta for sales. The only significant change for 2022 is the addition of two new colors: Ruby Flare and Windchill Pearl. What hasn’t changed are the number of other choices buyers get. Toyota offers sedan and hatchback body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and multiple powertrain options—including a hybrid. The Corolla Cross SUV also launched for 2022 but, while it shares a basic platform with the Corolla sedan and hatch, it’s effectively a different vehicle. Finally, you get the expected array of trim levels. The Corolla sedan is available in L, LE, XLE, SE, and XSE grades, plus Apex Edition and Nightshade Edition versions of SE and XSE, with more limited options for the Corolla hatchback and hybrid (both of which will be covered separately). For this review, we tested the Apex Edition sedan in its lower SE grade. The Apex is the sportiest Corolla variant, at least until the GR Corolla hot hatchback arrives for the 2023 model year. | 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. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.8L 139 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
MPG City | 30 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 38 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.8L 139 hp I4 | 2.0L 248 hp I4 |
Torque | 257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 30 | 25 |
MPG Highway | 38 | 33 |
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 | 13.1 cu ft | 14.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2910 lbs | 3765 lbs |
Height | 56.5 in | 58.2 in |
Length | 182.3 in | 195.8 in |
Width | 70.1 in | 83.7 in |
Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 117.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 825 lbs | 800 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.