BMW vs. Nissan
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from BMW and Nissan contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both BMW and Nissan cars.
When comparing the BMW brand to the Nissan brand, BMW has the advantage in the areas of horsepower, towing capacity and variety of models offered. Nissan has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings.
BMW versus Nissan: Pricing and Value: Analyzing BMW versus Nissan pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Nissan in 10 out of 10 vehicle comparisons. Nissan also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 9 out of 10 comparisons. Nissan models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 10 out of 10 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Nissan, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Nissan the overall advantage over BMW.
BMW versus Nissan: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: BMW vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 10 out of 10 model comparisons. Nissan offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 5 out of 5 comparisons. BMW offers a greater towing capacity in 4 out of 5 comparisons.
BMW versus Nissan: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of BMW versus Nissan overall quality ratings shows Nissan with higher quality ratings in 7 out of 9 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Nissan has the advantage in 6 out of 9 comparisons. Nissan has better safety ratings in 3 out of 5 comparisons. Nissan shows higher ratings for retained value in 10 out of 10 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings: Nissan has better car rankings in 3 categories: Nissan LEAF in Best Electric Cars, Nissan GT-R in Best Luxury Coupes, and Nissan LEAF in Best Small Electric Cars.
Most Reliable Car Rankings: BMW has better car rankings in 2 categories: BMW i3 (electric) in Most Reliable Electric Cars and BMW i3 (electric) in Most Reliable Small Electric Cars.
Best Cars for the Money Rankings:
Available Body Styles: BMW offers 14 SUVs, 15 sedans, 6 coupes, and 5 convertibles. In comparison, Nissan offers 6 SUVs, 4 sedans, 2 coupes, and 1 hatchback.
Drivetrain Options: BMW offers 23 gasoline vehicles, 5 plug-in hybrids, and 4 electric vehicles. Nissan offers 14 gasoline vehicles and 2 electric vehicles.
BMW offers 26 all-wheel-drive models, 1 front-wheel-drive model, and 15 rear-wheel-drive models. Nissan offers 6 all-wheel-drive models, 10 front-wheel-drive models, and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
BMW X3
$51,062 - $68,409
BMW X5
$70,019 - $97,316
BMW X5
$70,019 - $97,316
Cars
BMW 3 Series
$47,938 - $68,399
BMW M2
$65,541 - $78,476
BMW 5 Series
$60,788 - $77,947
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
$49,241 - $58,975
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
$53,157 - $68,540
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$75,515 - $90,742
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$75,515 - $90,742
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
$30,504 - $42,947
Nissan Pathfinder
$38,360 - $54,340
Nissan Murano
$38,981 - $50,958
Cars
Nissan Sentra
$21,446 - $28,343
Nissan Z
$44,162 - $69,421
Nissan Altima
$26,000 - $36,280
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
$21,446 - $28,343
Nissan Altima
$26,000 - $36,280
Nissan Pathfinder
$38,360 - $54,340
Nissan Murano
$38,981 - $50,958
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
BMW X3
$45,645 - $62,947
BMW X5
$60,732 - $92,996
BMW X5
$60,732 - $92,996
Cars
BMW 3 Series
$42,839 - $64,993
BMW M2
$63,371 - $74,900
BMW 5 Series
$56,935 - $71,330
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
$13,900 - $54,595
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
$41,911 - $61,960
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$69,977 - $84,728
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$69,977 - $84,728
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
$31,910 - $43,642
Nissan Pathfinder
$37,204 - $53,428
Nissan Murano
$35,982 - $48,258
Cars
Nissan Sentra
$20,727 - $26,719
Nissan Z
$30,211 - $67,265
Nissan Altima
$22,474 - $34,118
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
$20,727 - $26,719
Nissan Altima
$22,474 - $34,118
Nissan Pathfinder
$37,204 - $53,428
Nissan Murano
$35,982 - $48,258
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
BMW X3
48.6%
BMW X5
55%
BMW X5
55%
Cars
BMW 3 Series
50.1%
BMW M2
38.4%
BMW 5 Series
57.1%
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
54.2%
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
61.2%
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
59.1%
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
59.1%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
42.6%
Nissan Pathfinder
52.7%
Nissan Murano
51.2%
Cars
Nissan Sentra
38.2%
Nissan Z
30.4%
Nissan Altima
46%
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
38.2%
Nissan Altima
46%
Nissan Pathfinder
52.7%
Nissan Murano
51.2%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
BMW X3
248 hp / 258 foot-lbs
BMW X5
375 hp / 398 foot-lbs
BMW X5
375 hp / 398 foot-lbs
Cars
BMW 3 Series
255 hp / 295 foot-lbs
BMW M2
453 hp / 406 foot-lbs
BMW 5 Series
255 hp / 295 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
288 hp / 310 foot-lbs
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
288 hp / 310 foot-lbs
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
483 hp / 516 foot-lbs
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
483 hp / 516 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
201 hp / 225 foot-lbs
Nissan Pathfinder
284 hp / 259 foot-lbs
Nissan Murano
260 hp / 240 foot-lbs
Cars
Nissan Sentra
149 hp / 146 foot-lbs
Nissan Z
400 hp / 350 foot-lbs
Nissan Altima
188 hp / 180 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
149 hp / 146 foot-lbs
Nissan Altima
188 hp / 180 foot-lbs
Nissan Pathfinder
284 hp / 259 foot-lbs
Nissan Murano
260 hp / 240 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
BMW X3
23 / 29 / 25
BMW X5
23 / 27 / 25
BMW X5
23 / 27 / 25
Cars
BMW 3 Series
25 / 34 / 29
BMW M2
16 / 24 / 19
BMW 5 Series
27 / 35 / 30
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
24 / 32 / 27
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
24 / 29 / 26
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not Yet Available
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not Yet Available
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
Not Yet Available
Nissan Pathfinder
Not Yet Available
Nissan Murano
Not Yet Available
Cars
Nissan Sentra
30 / 40 / 34
Nissan Z
19 / 28 / 22
Nissan Altima
27 / 39 / 32
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
30 / 40 / 34
Nissan Altima
27 / 39 / 32
Nissan Pathfinder
Not Yet Available
Nissan Murano
Not Yet Available
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
BMW X3
4400 lbs
BMW X5
7200 lbs
BMW X5
7200 lbs
Other Comparisons
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
5952 lbs
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
5952 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
1500 lbs
Nissan Pathfinder
6000 lbs
Nissan Murano
1500 lbs
Other Comparisons
Nissan Pathfinder
6000 lbs
Nissan Murano
1500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
BMW X3
8.6 / 10
BMW X5
7.8 / 10
BMW X5
7.8 / 10
Cars
BMW 3 Series
8.6 / 10
BMW M2
7.5 / 10
BMW 5 Series
7.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.3 / 10
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.0 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
8.1 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
8.6 / 10
Nissan Murano
8.6 / 10
Cars
Nissan Sentra
8.4 / 10
Nissan Z
Not available
Nissan Altima
8.6 / 10
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
8.4 / 10
Nissan Altima
8.6 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
8.6 / 10
Nissan Murano
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
BMW X3
8.4 / 10
BMW X5
8.4 / 10
BMW X5
8.4 / 10
Cars
BMW 3 Series
8.4 / 10
BMW M2
6.8 / 10
BMW 5 Series
8.2 / 10
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.5 / 10
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.4 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.4 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.4 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
8.0 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
8.6 / 10
Nissan Murano
8.4 / 10
Cars
Nissan Sentra
7.9 / 10
Nissan Z
Not available
Nissan Altima
8.3 / 10
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
7.9 / 10
Nissan Altima
8.3 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
8.6 / 10
Nissan Murano
8.4 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
BMW X3
10 / 10
BMW X5
8.0 / 10
BMW X5
8.0 / 10
Cars
BMW 3 Series
10 / 10
BMW M2
Not available
BMW 5 Series
8.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
8.6 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
10 / 10
Nissan Murano
10 / 10
Cars
Nissan Sentra
9.1 / 10
Nissan Z
Not available
Nissan Altima
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
9.1 / 10
Nissan Altima
10 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
10 / 10
Nissan Murano
10 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
BMW X3
7.5 / 10
BMW X5
7.1 / 10
BMW X5
7.1 / 10
Cars
BMW 3 Series
7.4 / 10
BMW M2
8.1 / 10
BMW 5 Series
6.9 / 10
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.1 / 10
BMW 5 Series (Plug-in Hybrid)
6.7 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
6.8 / 10
BMW X5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
6.8 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
7.9 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
7.2 / 10
Nissan Murano
7.3 / 10
Cars
Nissan Sentra
8.1 / 10
Nissan Z
8.6 / 10
Nissan Altima
7.6 / 10
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
8.1 / 10
Nissan Altima
7.6 / 10
Nissan Pathfinder
7.2 / 10
Nissan Murano
7.3 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
BMW X3
#1 of 61 in
Best Luxury 5-seater SUVs
BMW X5
#7 of 20 in
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
BMW X5
#7 of 20 in
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
Cars
BMW 3 Series
#3 of 36 in
Best Luxury Small Cars
BMW 5 Series
#11 of 29 in
Best Luxury Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series
#2 of 20 in
Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)
BMW 5 Series
#4 of 6 in
Best Hybrid Luxury Midsize Cars
BMW X5
#5 of 7 in
Best Hybrid Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows
BMW X5
#5 of 7 in
Best Hybrid Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
#11 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Nissan Pathfinder
#6 of 18 in
Best 8-seater SUVs
Nissan Murano
#13 of 32 in
Best Midsize SUVs
Cars
Nissan Sentra
#14 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Nissan Altima
#5 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
#14 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Nissan Altima
#5 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
Nissan Pathfinder
#6 of 18 in
Best 8-seater SUVs
Nissan Murano
#13 of 32 in
Best Midsize SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
BMW X3
#2 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
BMW X5
#5 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Midsize SUVs
BMW X5
#5 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Midsize SUVs
Cars
BMW 3 Series
#3 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
BMW 5 Series
#8 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
BMW 3 Series
#4 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)
BMW 5 Series
#6 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)
BMW X5
#10 of 18 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
BMW X5
#10 of 18 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
#9 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Nissan Pathfinder
#7 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Nissan Murano
#15 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Cars
Nissan Sentra
#15 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Nissan Altima
#3 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
Other Comparisons
Nissan Sentra
#15 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Nissan Altima
#3 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
Nissan Pathfinder
#7 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Nissan Murano
#15 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
BMW X3
#3 of 4 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money
BMW X5
#6 of 10 in
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for the Money
BMW X5
#6 of 10 in
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for the Money
Cars
BMW 3 Series
#6 of 12 in
Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money
BMW 5 Series
#5 of 9 in
Best Luxury Midsize Cars for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Nissan Rogue
#2 of 21 in
Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money
Nissan Pathfinder
#7 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money
Nissan Murano
#9 of 16 in
Best Midsize SUVs for the Money
Cars
Nissan Sentra
#6 of 13 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Nissan Altima
#4 of 6 in
Best Midsize Cars for the Money