Honda Civic vs. BMW 5 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic and the BMW 5 Series.
When we compare the Honda Civic's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic 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 fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The BMW 5 Series has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Civic's and the BMW 5 Series's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the BMW 5 Series.
Pricing: A used 2024 Honda Civic ranges from $24,951 to $32,094 while a used 2024 BMW 5 Series is priced between $56,935 to $71,330. For a new model, the Honda Civic's price is between $25,044 and $32,100, 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 Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value and the BMW 5 Series loses 57.1 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 33.6 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 Honda Civic is 9.0 out of 10 while the BMW 5 Series' quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 5 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the BMW 5 Series being ranked 11 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10. For the BMW 5 Series the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW 5 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Civic’s base engine makes 158 horsepower, and the BMW 5 Series base engine makes 255 horsepower. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 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 Honda Civic the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW 5 Series the advantage in maximum range. The Civic uses regular unleaded, and the 5 Series uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Honda Civic, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room and rear leg room. The BMW 5 Series, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Honda Civic has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Honda Civic and the BMW 5 Series have the same Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$25,044 - $32,100
Starting MSRP:
$23,950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
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:
$27,777
Price Range:
$24,951 - $32,094
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,804
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,445
# Good or Great Deals:
250
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:
707
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12,221
# Good or Great Deals:
224
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$5,875
Depreciation %:
24.5%
Resale Value $:
$18,075
Residual Value %:
75.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
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%
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.8 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
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 Honda Civic
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
41.9%
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:
14.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
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
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 43Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
23 out of / 43BMW 5 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Honda Civic Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW 5 Series Trim Levels
530i, 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK
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:
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
138 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 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:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
31 / 40 / 35
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 496 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
14.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.0 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:
2877 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
184 inches
Wheelbase:
107.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Aegean Blue Metallic
Gray
Meteorite Gray Metallic
Red
Rallye Red
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Green
Not available
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
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Green
Cape York Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Brown
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Gray
Silverstone II Atlas Grey
Brown
Copper Brown/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Red
Burgundy Red
White
Smoke White
