BMW 5 Series vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class 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 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
In comparing the BMW 5 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's specifications and ratings, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the area of new vehicle base pricing. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class have the same base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 5 Series's and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW 5 Series's price is between $63,965 and $80,990, with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class priced between $66,841 and $81,482.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 5 Series loses 61.4 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses 56.9 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz E-Class retains 4.5 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 5 Series is 7.0 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class' quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the BMW 5 Series being ranked 8 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class being ranked 1 out of 20.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 5 Series is 7.1 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz E-Class the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 5 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class makes 255 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
63965 - 80990
Starting MSRP:
59900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
76559
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48600 - 130700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
66841 - 81482
Starting MSRP:
63900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
76559
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48600 - 130700
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
66455
Price Range:
61178 - 71813
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455 - 66455
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455 - 66455
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW 5 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 5 Series
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
12.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 16.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.022
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
16.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
12.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 16.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.214
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW 5 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 16Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Mercedes-Benz E-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
10 out of / 16Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 20Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
530i, 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Trim Levels
E 350, E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC
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 / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.062 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
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
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
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
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
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
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Air Suspension:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
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
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.0 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4134 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
116.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / 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
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Taupe/Atlas Grey
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Brown
Copper Brown/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Gray
Silverstone II Atlas Grey
Purple
Dark Violet/Atlas Grey
Red
Burgundy Red
White
Smoke White
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Purple
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
