10 BMW 5 Series Competitors to Consider

2018 BMW 5 Series front three quarter ・ Photo by BMW

The premium midsize sedan class includes some of the finest cars in the world available to people with generous (but not necessarily lavish) budgets. A few have great driving dynamics, others offer lots of technology, and many come with well-rounded skill sets. The fact that there are 10 BMW 5 Series competitors to consider illustrates how much buyers enjoy an astounding amount of choice.

The 2018 BMW 5 Series itself is one of the segment’s stars, and this generation debuted for 2017. The range starts at $53,645 for the 530i and goes up to $74,895 for the M440i, with a 530e plug-in hybrid in between (we’re omitting the high-performance M5 — it’s a separate animal). But let’s see what else is out there when it comes to the competition.

2018 Acura RLX

Refreshed for the 2018 model year and now wearing a more distinctive design, Acura offers the RLX as a 310-hp version with all-wheel steering and the all-wheel-drive Sport Hybrid with 377 hp. Both have amazing cornering abilities as well as well-stocked cabins, high levels of refinement and relatively reasonable prices: $55,895 and $62,895, respectively. Both have an array of driver aids as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assistance.

Acura says the 28-mpg RLX Sport Hybrid employs technology derived from its 191-mph NSX hybrid supercar. It certainly can attack bends in similarly impressive style. This car also is eligible for a high-end Krell audio system, recognized as one of the top-quality brands.

Photo by Acura

2019 Audi A6

The 2018 Audi A6 is the last of the outgoing generation, so for this list we’re looking to the 2019 model because it will offer a lot of the freshest technology when it launches in the fall. This includes a 48-volt mild hybrid system which is standard throughout, plus the availability of many partially automated driving features that should move the whole game along for this car segment — like an intersection assistant for the intelligent cruise control. The styling also is suitably polished and modernist.

These elements go some way to justifying a somewhat steep starting price of $59,895. The driving experience provided by a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and redesigned suspension setup should take that justification even further.

Photo by Audi

2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo

Let’s suppose for a moment that someone looking at 10 alternatives to the BMW 5 Series adores almost everything about that car, but would prefer a more practical hatchback design and a slightly raised driving position. There used to be a 5 Series Gran Turismo with that actual format, but it’s since been superseded by the completely new 2018 BMW 6 Series GT.

It comes as one model, the 640i xDrive, which features 335 hp and all-wheel drive as standard, while maximum cargo space is an extremely useful 65 cubic feet. Compare that with the 5 Series’ trunk of 18.7 cubic feet. The 6 Series GT is pricey, however, starting at $71,195 before options. But at least equipment levels are generous.

Photo by BMW

2019 Cadillac CTS

Yes, the 2019 version of the Cadillac CTS is on sale now, starting at $47,990. It comes with blind spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation as standard, but those things are not necessarily deal-makers or breakers. The aspects that might sway a buyer to the CTS include a strong design language, a pair of big screens (a 12.3-inch driver information display and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, both optional), and a well-tuned chassis.

While the usual premium German marques get the universal respect they deserve, the made-in-America CTS is perfectly capable of matching their talents. An adaptive suspension is on the options list, and the Bose audio system has a noise-cancelling feature to help make the cabin truly tranquil.

Photo by Cadillac

2018 Genesis G80

The Genesis G80 is remarkable for having tons of standard equipment, which is in stark contrast to the German way of doing things (make a lot of desirable equipment optional and then charge high prices for it). That includes many advanced safety features, and even the wood trim is made of the real stuff.

The 2018 G80 range begins at $42,725, which is almost ridiculously cheap compared with the rest of these “10 BMW 5 Series Competitors to Consider” and the 5 Series itself. It doesn’t stop there. Genesis also provides free servicing (including a valet), roadside assistance, satellite radio and wi-fi for three years. You’d almost hate yourself for not taking up a deal like this.

Photo by Genesis

2019 Infiniti Q70

It’s rare to find a Japanese car with a V8 engine these days, but the range-topping Infiniti Q70 5.6 Luxe is a wonderful example, making a delicious 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. The Q70 is differentiated even more by offering a long-wheelbase version. The standard car has 36.2 inches of rear legroom, and the stretched version comes with 41.7 inches. Power-closing doors and heated rear seats also are available in the Q70L.

However, even the 330-hp 3.7 Q70 Luxe with a V6 engine and regular wheelbase is a convincing premium sports sedan. Our main complaint is that Infiniti hasn’t invested much into keeping the Q70 up to date, so the starting price of $51,295 seems relatively high.

Photo by Infiniti

2018 Jaguar XF

So the country club’s parking lot is full of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars. Hey, not everyone can be imaginative. The Jaguar XF, on the other hand, has more than enough style to stand out. And, it has more than enough driving talent to keep an enthusiast, um, enthusiastic.

Jaguar has a special way with suspensions — controlled without being harsh, comfortable without being sloppy. The XF starts at $48,770 and goes up to $71,445 for the all-wheel-drive Sportbrake S wagon, which is an intriguing choice with a maximum cargo area of 69.7 cubic feet. The sedan provides an excellent 19.1 cubic feet of trunk space. The R-Sport (from $59,120) has a good mix of equipment and driver assistance features for the money.

Photo by Jaguar

2018 Lexus GS

With respect, Lexus cars haven’t always been the most engaging of drives. But when a BMW 5 Series is the class benchmark, it has the effect of raising everyone’s game. The Lexus GS has a definite European flavor to its ride and handling abilities, while retaining those unmistakably high-end Japanese build standards for which Lexus is renowned.

This car is a best-of-both-worlds proposition, with the well-equipped 2018 GS 300 starting at a perfectly reasonable $47,305 — which might leave some extra money to splash out on a few options. But the 311-hp V6 in the GS 350 seems more appropriate to a premium executive sedan and comes with real leather upholstery as part of the deal.

Photo by Lexus

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Some critics have lamented the gradual loss of sportiness in the BMW 5 Series over recent generations (that may be partially true, but there’s still a huge amount of ability to be exploited). Perhaps BMW went in that direction because its major rival from Stuttgart was already catering to the cosseted crowd.

With the advent of adaptive suspensions and selectable modes, though, this generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (the same age as the 5 Series) can provide a range of driving experiences from wafting to wild. The E-Class also offers partially autonomous features, as well as plenty of other cutting-edge technology. The 2018 range starts at $53,495, and there’s a wagon version available, as well as ascending degrees of engine power.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2018 Volvo S90

The revived, revitalized Volvo company is coming out with some arguably gorgeous machines, the S90 sedan being one of them. Size-wise, the S90 is a bit larger than the BMW 5 Series, especially now that the rear legroom has received a stretch of around four inches. The 2018 S90 has 40.4 inches of rear legroom, compared with the BMW’s 36.5. This could be perfect for someone who might have scratched a 5 Series from their short list because they needed more rear passenger space.

The rest of the car also is attractive, from the well-designed interior to the many standard safety features. The 2018 S90 starts at $49,095, and a plug-in hybrid version (the T8) is available.

Photo by Volvo