2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

2021 BMW 5 Series
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$54,200

MSRP

$21,250

Average price

$34,613

Average price

$20,448

Listings

634

Listings

935

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Great ride quality
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple body styles
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap

2021 BMW 5 Series Reviews Summary

BMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout.

Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better.

That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment.

2021 Honda Civic Reviews Summary

Honda is ready to retire the 10th-generation Civic, one of the groundbreaking versions in the nameplate's long and storied history. From its polarizing design and three body styles to the arrival (finally!) of the Type R performance variant in the U.S. market, this version of the Civic made its mark. And even though the design is now six years old, and the car is ubiquitous on American roads, the 2021 Honda Civic remains worthy of consideration.
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No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 248 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 158 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

Horsepower

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG City

25

MPG City

30

MPG Highway

33

MPG Highway

38
2021 BMW 5 Series
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 BMW 5 Series
$54,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Civic
$21,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$54,200
$21,250
Average price
$34,613
$20,448
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.7
4.9
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.2 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Great ride quality
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Multiple body styles
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Outdated technology
  • Interior materials feel cheap
Summary

BMW was once known for sports sedans, and the 5 Series was one of the most prolific of those sedans. Sitting between the 3 Series and 7 Series in size and price, previous generations of 5 Series were known for a balance of performance and luxury, with impeccable engineering throughout.

Today, the BMW 5 Series is largely irrelevant. The 3 Series is now so big that there is less reason to upgrade, and most buyers are more interested in SUVs anyway. The competition—including the Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S90—has also gotten better.

That doesn’t mean BMW has given up on the 5 Series. The current generation (codename G30) arrived for the 2017 model year, but it gets a midcycle refresh (or LCI, short for “Life Cycle Impulse,” in BMW speak) for 2021. Major updates include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling changes.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is not like the 5 Series models of old. That may drive away hardcore car fans, but the 2021 model makes a strong case to new-car buyers, maintaining sportier-than-average driving dynamics, along with the tech and luxury features expected of a car in this segment.

Honda is ready to retire the 10th-generation Civic, one of the groundbreaking versions in the nameplate's long and storied history. From its polarizing design and three body styles to the arrival (finally!) of the Type R performance variant in the U.S. market, this version of the Civic made its mark. And even though the design is now six years old, and the car is ubiquitous on American roads, the 2021 Honda Civic remains worthy of consideration.
Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 248 hp I4
2.0L 158 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
MPG City
25
30
MPG Highway
33
38
Look and feel
2021 BMW 5 Series
8/10
2021 Honda Civic
8/10

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had a restrained design, lacking the flourishes of the 3 Series and the imposing size of the 7 Series. It received a minor styling refresh for the 2021 model year, featuring sleeker LED headlights and a larger twin-kidney grille. The car also had trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated front and rear bumpers for the M Sport Package. The interior maintained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements that clearly identified it as a BMW. Lower trim levels came with standard SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather options. The test car featured Nappa leather in Mocha and aluminum trim, enhancing the high-end feel, although the sport steering wheel felt out of place.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic continued to be a segment-defining model, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in various trims, with the Touring trim featuring Cosmic Blue Metallic paint. The Civic's design, initially polarizing, had become familiar over time. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and Cosmic Blue paint added to its appeal, though the infotainment screen size and some interior elements showed their age.

Performance
2021 BMW 5 Series
8/10
2021 Honda Civic
7/10

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, and reaching 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.6 seconds with xDrive all-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive had a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the M5 boasted 617 hp in Competition spec, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in LX and Sport trims. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, produced 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and responsive steering made it enjoyable to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) detracted from the driving experience, with its droning noise and lack of responsiveness. Despite this, the CVT contributed to impressive fuel economy, with an average of 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop.

Form and function
2021 BMW 5 Series
8/10
2021 Honda Civic
8/10

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was available only as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the U.S. The spacious interior offered competitive front-seat space and ample rear-seat room. The trunk provided 14.0 cubic feet of space, more than the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with various adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Forward visibility was poor due to the long, high hood, but a surround-view camera system helped with parking.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit challenging. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats were roomy and comfortable, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The center console provided ample storage space, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

Technology
2021 BMW 5 Series
9/10
2021 Honda Civic
5/10

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, while voice control and gesture controls were also available.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age. The LX trim had a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim added a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim included HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured navigation, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

Safety
2021 BMW 5 Series
9/10
2021 Honda Civic
7/10

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist. BMW's driver-assist tech was sophisticated and smooth in operation.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance. LaneWatch, available starting with EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane but had limitations. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 BMW 5 Series
6/10
2021 Honda Civic
8/10

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 BMW 5 Series is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Civic scores 7.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 BMW 5 Series is the recommended choice for its superior luxury, performance, and advanced technology.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 BMW 5 Series is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda Civic scores 7.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2021 BMW 5 Series is the recommended choice for its superior luxury, performance, and advanced technology.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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