BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series – premium saloon showdown

If you’re in the market for an executive saloon with a bit of extra pizzazz about it, then you’re likely to find yourself looking at a BMW 3 Series, closely followed by a BMW 5 Series. They’re both quick, comfortable and stylish. So how do the two compare?

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Price

It’ll be no surprise that the BMW 3 Series is cheaper than the 5 Series, to the tune of around £8,000. The 3 Series range kicks off at a little more than £31k for a 318i SE automatic. For that, you get standard equipment including electric windows all round, heat-protecting glass, auto lights and wipers, LED headlights, heated front seats, Dynamic brake lights and a rearview mirror that dims automatically. There’s also satellite-navigation, DAB radio, and a system that monitors all of the car’s vital functions, including oil and brakes.

Under the bonnet lies a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The car’s responses can be tailored using the Drive Performance Control, which allows you to switch between Comfort, Sport and ECO PRO modes, depending on the type of road you’re on or your desire for thrift.

So if you’re required to pay extra for a 5 Series, what do you get for your money? Well, as good as the 3 Series feels inside, the 5 Series feels even more luxurious. The interior is made from truly high-quality materials that are beautifully put together. If there are any slightly iffy surfaces, they’re only to be found deep within the door bins.

There are three trim levels available on the 5 Series, called SE, M Sport and M Sport Edition. Even SE cars come with Dakota leather trim, heated front seats with electric lumbar support, folding door mirrors and a system that can park the car for you.

On both the 3 Series and 5 Series, M Sport trim brings larger alloy wheels, a sporty bodykit and firmer suspension.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Design

The 3 Series is bigger than ever, but has an angular, purposeful look, as befits the more sporting of the two cars rated here. Meanwhile, the updated 5 Series has a classy style that’s enhanced by the new U-shaped LED daytime running lights and even larger grilles than before.

BMW’s forthcoming revised 5 Series has more prominent vents and angular sculpting of the front bumper, while all models feature trapezoidal tailpipes.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Interior

There’s no doubt that the interiors of both cars are places where you could do a great many miles and step out still feeling ready for what your day holds in store. They each feature a large digital display in place of conventional instrument dials. This can be configured to show the information you need in the style you want, so can show sat-nav instructions, audio settings or driving settings as you see fit.

Each has a large centre console that gives you the feeling of being in a low-slung sports car, and while the dash of the 5 Series feels the classier of the two, the 3 Series is no poor relation.

The controls are laid out in a familiar fashion in both cars, and each also features BMW’s brilliant iDrive rotary controller that allows you to alter everything from the audio settings to your sat-nav destination and the firmness of the suspension.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Practicality

Good news all round here; the BMW 3 Series will allow your rear-seat passengers to feel more comfortable than they would in a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The boot is a good size, too, certainly big enough for a couple of large hard-shell suitcases or a set of golf clubs.

It’s good news all round because the 5 Series is (as you might expect) even larger than its sister car. There’s a vast amount of space for passengers to spread out in, and the 530-litre boot is even larger than that in the 7 Series luxury car.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Driving

If you want a sporty driving experience, then the 3 Series is the car to go for. It manages to be both comfortable and sporting in the way it gets down the road. The steering is sharp and direct, and offers a decent amount of feedback, while the automatic gearbox does a great job of knowing which gear you want to be in at any given moment.

Unsurprisingly, the 5 Series doesn’t have quite the same zingy responses, and instead conducts itself with comfortable purpose. Choosing the M Sport models sharpens up the car’s behaviour but the downside is that the firmer suspension allows more bumps through to your backside. The best option is to choose the optional adaptive dampers, which hit a perfect balance of comfort and control.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Engines

The 320d four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine has plenty of shove and is economical. The 330i’s four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol is quicker and sportier, while the six-cylinder in the M340i xDrive four-wheel drive is a rocket ship. There’s also a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid called the 330e for company car drivers and those with access to charging. There’s also a 318i 2.0-litre petrol, but we’d avoid it because it’s too slow and thirsty.

Meanwhile, there are big changes for the 5 Series. Almost every four- and six-cylinder engine now comes with a mild hybrid system. This is where a 48-volt starter-generator and a second battery help to improve fuel economy and provide a little power boost when overtaking. This system was introduced to the 525d in 2019 and has now been rolled out further across the 5 Series range.

As before, the 5 Series comes with a range of petrol and diesel engines with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive available.

The entry-level petrol 520i features a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 181bhp, while if diesel is your fuel of choice, the 520d features a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine with 187bhp.

Every 5 Series has an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series: Verdict

There are no losers here, because both the 3 Series and 5 Series are brilliant cars that will make you feel brilliant about owning and running them.
The 3 Series is the cheaper of the pair, but still feels properly plush and provides masses of high-tech equipment. Better still, it’s great to drive and comfortable.

If comfort, space and luxurious presence are the sort of things you want in your next car, then the 5 Series should be your top choice. It’s still great to drive, too.

With both, you can spend extra on options to tailor them to exactly your taste, but beware that the cost of doing so can mount up very quickly indeed.