2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
$54,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
$54,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$54,250

MSRP

$54,200

Average price

$76,426

Average price

$43,827

Listings

30

Listings

15
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews Summary

When money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain.

2021 BMW 5 Series Reviews 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.

No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 255 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 248 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

RWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

255 hp @ 5800 rpm

Horsepower

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

MPG City

22

MPG City

25

MPG Highway

31

MPG Highway

33
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
$54,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
$54,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$54,250
$54,200
Average price
$76,426
$43,827
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.7
Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Summary
When money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain.

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.

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.0L 255 hp I4
2.0L 248 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
RWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
MPG City
22
25
MPG Highway
31
33
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