2021 BMW 5 Series vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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, featuring sleeker LED headlights and a larger, yet not overly large, twin-kidney grille. The car also had trapezoidal tailpipes, new L-shaped taillights, and updated bumpers for the M Sport Package. The interior maintained the familiar BMW layout, with specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning and the unique shifter. Lower trims had standard SensaTec upholstery, while higher trims offered Dakota and Nappa leather options. The aluminum trim added a high-end feel, although the sport steering wheel felt out of place.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite having all-new body panels, retained a similar look to its predecessor. It was longer and lower, with a stable silhouette and a short wheelbase for nimbleness. The front end featured a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake and a signature red accent line between the LED headlights. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling. The GTI came with red brake calipers and different wheel sizes depending on the trim. The interior offered plaid cloth seats as standard, with Vienna leather available on higher trims. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, and the rear seats provided ample legroom.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrains. 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, 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 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 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, reaching peak torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine was paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG). The GTI's fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, and 25/34/28 with the automatic. The GTI had a retuned suspension, with a lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes and an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential improved handling. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series was available as a four-door, five-seat sedan in the United States. It offered spacious front seats and adequate rear-seat room. The trunk had a capacity of 14.0 cubic feet, with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for longer items. The test car had 16-way power front seats with various features, providing supportive bolstering. Forward visibility was poor due to the long hood, but a surround-view camera system helped with parking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality. It had 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, and the "light and sight" panel allowed for easy adjustment of headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making it suitable for a family of four.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with 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 feel, and voice control was available. Gesture controls were also an option, though they were less precise than traditional controls.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 10.25-inch digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays. The infotainment system included an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim and a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation in the SE and Autobahn trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SE and Autobahn trims had a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some of which required additional subscriptions.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS for 2021, 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.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, and the Autobahn trim featured Park Assist technology.