Compare the2022 BMW 5 Series SedanVS 2021 Porsche Panamera

The 5 Series Sedan’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The 5 Series Sedan has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 5 Series Sedan offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 5 Series Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Panamera’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 5 Series Sedan’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Panamera doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 5 Series Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 5 Series Sedan and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and night vision systems.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 5 Series Sedan its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 103 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Panamera has not been tested, yet.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series Sedan for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Panamera (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 81 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 5 Series Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 24th.

Both the 5 Series Sedan and the Panamera have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 5 Series Sedans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The 5 Series Sedan has a standard Brake Assistant to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The 5 Series Sedan stops shorter than the Panamera:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 5 Series Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Panamera doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 5 Series Sedan offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Panamera; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The BMW 5 Series Sedan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1000 pounds less than the Porsche Panamera.

The 5 Series Sedan is 3 inches shorter than the Panamera, making the 5 Series Sedan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 5 Series Sedan amounts to more than styling. The 5 Series Sedan offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .27 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 5 Series Sedan get better fuel mileage.

The 5 Series Sedan has 2.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Panamera (98.8 vs. 96).

The 5 Series Sedan has .8 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 5 Series Sedan easier. The 5 Series Sedan’s trunk lift-over height is 26.2 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 5 Series offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 5 Series Sedan offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The 5 Series Sedan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the 5 Series Sedan the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 5 Series Sedan’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Panamera’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Insurance will cost less for the 5 Series Sedan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 5 Series Sedan will cost $880 to $12640 less than the Panamera over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 5 Series Sedan will be $28198 to $76089 less than for the Porsche Panamera.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 5 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.