BMW 5 Series vs. Toyota Avalon

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 5 Series and Toyota Avalon 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 Toyota Avalon.

When we compare the BMW 5 Series's and the Toyota Avalon's specifications and ratings, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Toyota Avalon has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 5 Series's and the Toyota Avalon's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Avalon is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.

Pricing: A used 2022 BMW 5 Series ranges from $29,692 to $56,122 while a used 2022 Toyota Avalon is priced between $23,973 to $39,286.

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 Toyota Avalon loses 43.1 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Avalon retains 18.3 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 Toyota Avalon's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the BMW 5 Series being ranked 13 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Toyota Avalon being ranked 1 out of 7 Best Large Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 5 Series is 7.1 out of 10. For the Toyota Avalon the reliability rating is 8.7 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Avalon an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 5 Series.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 5 Series’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the Toyota Avalon base engine makes 301 horsepower. The 5 Series is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 594 miles. The Avalon is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. This gives the BMW 5 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Toyota Avalon. The 5 Series uses premium unleaded, and the Avalon uses regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Avalon, a large car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW 5 Series, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, and front shoulder room.

Safety Ratings: The Toyota Avalon has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.