BMW 5 SERIES TOURING

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AUDI A6 AVANT

A6 with a stylish rear view

When you think of the BMW 5 Series Touring’s rivals, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Station Wagon comes to mind, and while that’s not wrong, it’s important to remember that the Audi A6 Avant is also a serious competitor.

Comparing the body size, the 5 Series is slightly larger. In particular, its overall height is 50mm higher. This is because the 5 Series shares its platform with the EV model. Space has been secured under the floor to accommodate the battery, which makes the vehicle height higher. And to balance this overall height with stylish proportions, the overall length has also been increased. The difference with the A6 is a whopping 120mm.

There are also differences in the design tastes of the two cars. The biggest difference is the slope of the rear window. The 5 Series has a typical angle for a touring wagon, but the A6 has a steeper slope, as can be seen from the larger area of the rear window. Therefore, the rear view of the A6 gives a more elegant and dynamic impression. This is an area where preferences will differ.

BMW 523d xDrive Touring Exclusive

Body size = Length 5060mm x Width 1900mm x Height 1515mm

Wheelbase = 2995mm

Vehicle weight = 1940kg

Tire size = 225/55R18

Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI quattro Advanced

Body size = Length 4940mm x Width 1885mm x Height 1465mm

Wheelbase = 2925mm

Vehicle weight = 1860kg

Tire size = 225/55R18

Is the 5 Series’ uncharacteristic nature deliberate?

The 5 Series Touring may have made the base model “diesel + AWD” to differentiate it from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. However, this can also be thought of as a reference to the A6 Avant.

The 5 Series and A6 use a diesel engine of the same displacement and an AWD powertrain. Audi is a manufacturer that is confident in its AWD system, called “Quattro,” and actively adopts it in all of its models. On the other hand, BMW is known for its rear-wheel drive (RWD) system, so AWD seems a bit unusual.

BMW must have struggled a lot with how to market the new 5 Series Touring when it was being developed. With the popularity of SUVs on the rise, the AWD design may have made it a station wagon with crossover-like characteristics. In order to clarify its character, it could be said that BMW has made it a model that is not typical of BMW, in a good way.

BMW 523d xDrive Touring Exclusive

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder turbo diesel

Displacement = 1995cc

Maximum output = 197PS/4000rpm

Maximum torque = 400Nm/1500-2750rpm

Transmission = 8-speed AT

Drive system = AWD

Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI quattro Advanced

Engine type = Inline 4-cylinder turbo diesel

Displacement = 1968cc

Maximum output = 204PS / 3800-4200rpm

Maximum torque = 400Nm / 1750-3250rpm

Transmission = 7-speed DCT

Drive system = AWD

Is the price designed with the A6 Avant in mind?

In terms of price, the 5 Series is priced about 400,000 yen more than the A6, but considering the rising costs of today, it must have taken a lot of effort to set the price below 9 million yen.

Many people perceive BMW as having a more premium feel than Audi, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, so it’s not surprising that some people would be attracted to a BMW if it can be purchased for about 400,000 yen more than an Audi.