BMW 5 Series Competition Check

BMW has introduced the all-new 5 Series in India with much fanfare. The executive sedan is in its seventh generation now and is available with three engine options across four variants. Based on the new OKL platform, the G30 5 Series is lighter, bigger and more advanced than its predecessor. The new 5 Series features some of the more advanced features scrounged from the bigger 7 Series. Prices for the 5 Series begins at Rs 49.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and it competes against other executive sedans in the segment which includes Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Volvo S90, and the new Lexus ES. Here is how the new 5 fares against its adversaries.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz tried to work around the rule book by introducing the new E-Class in India in only the long wheelbase guise. The E-Class now looks like a baby S-Class. Similarly, the 5 Series also seems like a scaled-down version of the 7 Series. Interestingly, the new 5 Series is bigger than the outgoing car and measures 4.9-metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2.97metres, thus keeping it quite close to the E-Class LWB which measures 5.06metres in length with a wheelbase of 3.07metres. The LWB saloon gets three engine variants – one petrol and two diesels, although the top-spec diesel E350d is a whole Rs 10 lakh more expensive than the top-spec 530d M Sport.

Audi A6

The current gen A6 has been around for some time now and is due for an update internationally. The A6 is available with one petrol and one diesel engine option only. Dimensionally, the new 5 series measures the same as the A6, but has a more powerful petrol motor. The diesel output, meanwhile, is the same in both these German saloons. Being a mid-size luxury sedan, both the 5 Series and the A6 comes with all the bells and whistles expected at this price range. Standard equipment in the A6 includes adaptive air suspension, Bose surround system, eight airbags, Audi Drive Select, four-zone climate control and lots more. The Beemer outweighs the Ingolstadt sedan with features like automated parking, gesture control and heads up display, all as standard. 

Jaguar XF

The British brute here is the XF with its sleek and cheeky styling, in contrast to the plane Jane appearance of the BMW. The XF is now locally assembled, thus making the price competitive to its German rivals. With one diesel and one petrol engine on offer, the XF is a good alternative to the German trio. Tipping the 5.06metre mark in length, the XF is as big as the LWB E-Class, but a wheelbase of 2.96metre is enough to stretch your legs as much as you can when seated in the rear of the new 5 Series. Also, the XF and the 5 Series are both driver’s cars in this segment. 

Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 has shaken things up in the executive sedan segment with its striking new design and the stately lines. The Scandinavian packs an amazing package in the only trim on sale in the country with one engine and all the equipment as standard. The 2.0-litre diesel motor in the S90 produces 190bhp which is same as the power output of the 520d. The Volvo features all the safety equipment that can be had in this segment and some more. The automatic parking, large infotainment screen, four-zone climate control and heads-up display are some of the standard features in both these executive sedans.

Lexus ES

Lexus opened their Indian innings with its luxury executive sedan, the ES. The ES sedan is the new comer in this well established segment. The ES packs a hybrid powertrain in the single trim which takes the CBU route in India. The Lexus has a luxurious and well-pampered cabin and throws some crazy fuel economy numbers owing to its unconventional powertrain. Priced at Rs 55.27 lakh (ex-Delhi) the ES is a good alternative if you want your executive sedan to stand-out amongst the normal crop of cars on the road. The 5, on the other hand, continues to be the ultimate driving machine and is a force to reckon with.