The five worst rivals of the new BMW 5 Series

The eighth generation of the BMW 5 Series has just been unveiled just a few days ago. It does so with a completely new design, more technology, electrified engines and, as the main novelty, a fully electric version that is called the BMW i5.

Although it presents a completely new approach with which BMW aspires to lead the E segment of premium sedans, the new BMW 5 Series must face what are its five worst rivals, a group of models that include its German archenemies, a Japanese sedan, a British one and a Swedish one.

Before talking about the rivals, I will tell you that the new 5 Series comes with a body that measures 5.06 meters long, making it the largest among its opponents. It also has a 520-litre trunk, a five-passenger cabin and, for the moment and until the Munich firm reveals the Touring family variant, it is only available as a saloon.

Initially it landed with two different mechanics, both Mild Hybrid and with the DGT ECO label. It is a 197 hp diesel with rear propulsion or all-wheel drive, and a 208 hp gasoline. The electric BMW i5 is also added to the range, with two different versions that offer 340 CV and 600 CV, and a range of up to 580 kilometers per charge.

As for prices, the new 5 Series is already on sale from 60,050 euros with internal combustion engines, while the i5 (which is the direct rival of the Mercedes EQE), starts at 76,750 euros. And now yes, we are going to know in detail all the characteristics of each of the rivals of the new BMW 5 Series.

The five worst rivals of the new BMW 5 Series

Audi A6

Among the main rivals of the new BMW 5 Series is one of the German premium sedans in the E segment, the Audi A6. Launched on the market in 2018 as the fifth generation (with the name A6), the Audi sedan offers two body options, saloon and Avant, and is 4.93 meters long. It has an interior with five seats and a trunk of between 520 and 565 liters.

On a mechanical level, the A6 is available with four- and six-cylinder diesel engines that offer between 204 hp and 344 hp, as well as four-, six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines ranging from 265 hp to 630 hp. There are also two plug-in hybrid versions with 299 hp and 344 hp, DGT Zero label and an electric range of up to 65 kilometers per charge.

Price: from 59,810 euros

Jaguar XF

Next on the list is the Jaguar XF. In this case, it is only offered with a saloon body option, but it has a length of 4.96 meters and a 350-liter trunk. It has been on the market as a second generation since 2015, as Jaguar has focused mainly on SUV models, making the XF one of the longest-lived models in its segment.

As for engines, the XF’s mechanical offer is limited to only two options, but both with Mild Hybrid technology and the DGT ECO label. On the one hand, a 2.0-liter diesel with 204 HP of power and, on the other, a 2.0-liter gasoline with 250 HP. All equip automatic transmission and send power to the rear train.

Price: from 65,200 euros

Lexus EN

The seventh generation of the Lexus ES has been on the market since 2018. The E-segment saloon of the Japanese firm is the alternative to the large German manufacturers. In this case, the only body available is a four-door sedan, 4.97 meters long, with a 450-liter boot space and an interior for five passengers.

Available mechanical options are limited to a single non-plug-in hybrid powertrain. The ES 300h version has a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric drive that produce a combined power of 218 hp, with a CVT-type automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. In this case, it obtains the ECO environmental label.

Price: from 53,100 euros

mercedes class e

The other great German rival of the new BMW 5 Series is another newcomer to the E segment, the also new Mercedes E-Class. This is the sixth generation of the star’s sedan, a model that was presented just a few weeks ago and that, At the moment, we only know the saloon version. It measures 4.94 meters long and has a trunk of 540 liters.

Although it is not yet for sale, it comes with a 204 hp gasoline engine and a 197 hp diesel, as well as two plug-in hybrid models with 313 hp and 381 hp that announce up to 120 kilometers of electric range and Zero label. There are rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, and all of them are equipped with an automatic gearbox.

Price: N.A.

Volvo S90

The fifth and final rival of the new BMW 5 Series is the Volvo S90. The Nordic saloon, which is also available in a family version, the Volvo V90, has been active since 2016 in what is its first generation. It is offered in two body versions, with a length of 4.96 meters, an interior of five plas and a boot with between 460 and 560 liters.

The S90/V90 is the most electrified model on the list. Its mechanical offer includes three Mild Hybrid versions with an ECO label, a 197 CV gasoline and a 197 CV and 235 CV diesel, as well as two plug-in hybrids with 350 CV and 455 CV, which announce up to 88 kilometers of electric range. All motorizations are automatic and there are versions with front or all-wheel drive.

Price: from 60,750 euros