Compare the2022 BMW 5 Series SedanVS 2021 Genesis G80

The BMW 5 Series Sedan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The G80 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 G80 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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 5 Series Sedan helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The G80 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 5 Series Sedan and the G80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

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 G80 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

The 5 Series Sedan’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the G80’s (12 vs. 7 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 5 Series Sedan’s reliability 15 points higher than the G80.

The 5 Series Sedan has more powerful engines than the G80:

As tested in Motor Trend the 540i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the Genesis G80 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series Sedan gets better mileage than the G80:

Regenerative brakes improve the 5 Series Sedan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

For better stopping power the M550i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the G80:

The 5 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the G80:

The 5 Series Sedan’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G80’s standard 50 series tires. The 5 Series Sedan’s optional 245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the G80’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

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 G80 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 5 Series Sedan 540i/M550i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The G80 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M550i offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Genesis doesn’t offer an active suspension on the G80.

The M550i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the G80 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M550i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the G80 AWD (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The front grille of the 5 Series Sedan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the 540i is quieter than the G80 (68 vs. 72 dB).

The 5 Series Sedan has a larger trunk than the G80 (14 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

The 5 Series Sedan’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G80 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 9th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G80, the 5 Series Sedan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 5 Series Sedan’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the G80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 5 Series Sedan has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 5 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis G80 isn't recommended.