BMW 4 Series vs. BMW 5 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 4 Series and BMW 5 Series contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 4 Series and the BMW 5 Series.
When comparing the BMW 4 Series's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the BMW 4 Series has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, interior volume and overall quality score. The BMW 4 Series and BMW 5 Series have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 4 Series's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the BMW 5 Series is a better car than the BMW 4 Series.
Pricing: A used 2024 BMW 4 Series ranges from $38,997 to $63,985 while a used 2024 BMW 5 Series is priced between $56,935 to $71,330. For a new model, the BMW 4 Series's price is between $51,566 and $72,252, with the BMW 5 Series priced between $60,788 and $77,947.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 4 Series loses 52.4 percent of its value and the BMW 5 Series loses 57.1 percent of its value. This means the BMW 4 Series retains 4.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 5 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 4 Series is 6.5 out of 10 while the BMW 5 Series' quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the BMW 4 Series being ranked 19 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW 5 Series being ranked 13 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 4 Series is 5.8 out of 10. For the BMW 5 Series the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the BMW 5 Series an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 4 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the BMW 4 Series and the BMW 5 Series makes 255 horsepower. The 4 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 530 miles. The 5 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 557 miles. This gives the BMW 5 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW 4 Series. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 5 Series, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 4 Series, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing IIHS evaluations, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$51,566 - $72,252
Starting MSRP:
$48,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$60,788 - $77,947
Starting MSRP:
$57,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$73,001
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$38,395 - $138,800
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$49,839
Price Range:
$38,997 - $63,985
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
392
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
20,326
# Good or Great Deals:
109
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$63,766
Price Range:
$56,935 - $71,330
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$78,175
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$44,925 - $144,288
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
448
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
15,681
# Good or Great Deals:
180
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$25,828
Depreciation %:
53.5%
Resale Value $:
$22,472
Residual Value %:
46.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$33,572
Depreciation %:
58%
Resale Value $:
$24,328
Residual Value %:
42%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
52.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
38.3% - 63.1%
BMW 4 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.5 / 10
Reliability:
5.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW 5 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 4 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.2%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 5 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
8.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
8.5 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
16.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.8 - 16.7
BMW 4 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
36 out of / 36BMW 5 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
10 out of / 24Ranking
10 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
23 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 4 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
530i, 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 35 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
429 / 557 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
16.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
91.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3792 lbs
Width:
81.6 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
188.5 inches
Wheelbase:
112.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4041 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
59.6 inches
Length:
199.2 inches
Wheelbase:
117.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
San Remo Green Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Oxide Grey Metallic
Green
Cape York Green Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Brown
Copper Brown/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Gray
Silverstone II Atlas Grey
Red
Burgundy Red
White
Smoke White
