2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2021 BMW 5 Series
Overview | |
MSRP$54,200 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$43,912 | Average price$24,283 |
Listings16 | Listings98 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
2021 BMW 5 Series 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 sedan 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. | |
2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryIn 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 248 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City25 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 248 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower248 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City25 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.0 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3765 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height58.2 in | Height58.7 in |
Length195.8 in | Length193.6 in |
Width83.7 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase117.1 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload800 lbs | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $54,200 | $23,995 |
Average price | $43,912 | $24,283 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
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 sedan 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. | In 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 248 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 25 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 248 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 257 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 248 hp @ 5200 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 25 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.0 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3765 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 58.2 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 195.8 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 83.7 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 117.1 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 800 lbs | 948 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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