Compare the2024 BMW 5 SeriesVS 2023 Porsche Panamera

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 5 Series are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Panamera doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The 5 Series 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 has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 5 Series has a standard blind spot warning system that 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’ standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Brake Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The 5 Series’ 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 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 around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series 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 80 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 5 Series’ warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series gets better mileage than the Panamera Sedan running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 5 Series uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Panamera requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

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 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 has a standard 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 5 Series’ wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Panamera (117.9 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The 5 Series has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

The 5 Series has a larger trunk than the Panamera with its rear seat up (18.4 vs. 17.6 cubic feet).

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 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’ 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 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’ 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.

The 5 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Porsche Panamera by over seven to one during 2022.