BMW 5 Series vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 5 Series and Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf.
When comparing the BMW 5 Series's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the BMW 5 Series's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.
Pricing: A used 2017 BMW 5 Series ranges from $13,995 to $29,748 while a used 2017 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $10,495 to $19,996.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 5 Series’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 170 horsepower. The 5 Series is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 500 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 475 miles.This gives the Volkswagen Golf the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW 5 Series the advantage in maximum range. The 5 Series uses premium unleaded, and the Golf uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
60900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
19895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
20010
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
13995 - 35655
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22142
Price Range:
13995 - 29748
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
138
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
87809
# Good or Great Deals:
41
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15340
Price Range:
10495 - 19996
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
15337
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
8833 - 26195
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
67
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
87604
# Good or Great Deals:
21
BMW 5 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.835605 / 10
Reliability:
8.151849 / 10
Retained Value:
8.354966 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 5 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
1.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.002
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
4.0
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
2.1 - 7.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.198
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.997835987127819
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.944350097406521
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 14.4
BMW 5 Series Rankings
Not yet available
Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
26 out of / 37Ranking
32 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
535i Gran Turismo, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI S, TSI SE, TSI SEL, TSI Wolfsburg Edition
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
300 foot-lbs @ 1300 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 4500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 500 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 36 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 475 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Air Suspension:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
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
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Cargo Space:
17.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4490 lbs
Width:
84.3 inches
Height:
61.6 inches
Length:
197.1 inches
Wheelbase:
120.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2963 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
167.5 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Beige
Cashmere Silver Metallic
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic
Brown
Jatoba Brown Metallic
Gray
Callisto Grey Metallic / Space Gray Metallic
Red
Damask Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Venetian Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Cinnamon Brown / Mocha
Gray
Ivory White
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Titan Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
