2024 BMW 5 Series vs 2024 Nissan Sentra

The 2024 Nissan Sentra received a styling update that enhanced its visual appeal. The wider grille seamlessly blended with the headlights, which featured black interior bezel elements, and chrome trim added a touch of elegance. Vertical elements resembling air vents at the front fascia's edges created a broader appearance. The Sentra maintained its balanced design, avoiding the eccentricity of some competitors while offering more flair than others. The trim levels remained consistent with previous years, with the SR trim offering distinctive styling elements and vibrant color options. Inside, the Sentra's interior showcased large round air vents inspired by the Z sports car, a plunging dashboard, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, providing a distinctive design for an entry-level car.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series embraced a clean, minimalist design, both inside and out, with a focus on aerodynamics and BMW's current styling language. The 530i test car featured a prominent grille and intricate 21-inch wheels, with M Sport bodywork adding a touch of flair. Inside, the M Sport treatment continued with Smoke-color Veganza artificial leather, aluminum trim, and artistic metal speaker grilles, creating a modern and elegant cabin. However, the interior surfaces often caused reflections and glare, complicating control usage. The BMW Curved Display housed most functions, with traditional iDrive controls on the center console, though these were touch-sensitive and less user-friendly.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra focused on efficiency rather than performance, offering a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel-drive setup and continuously variable transmission (CVT) aimed to improve fuel efficiency and smooth operation. Despite its efficiency focus, the Sentra provided a pleasant driving experience with responsive steering and a comfortable suspension. However, the updated CVT occasionally caused unexpected acceleration surges.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series, specifically the 530i model, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system enhanced efficiency, with BMW estimating a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The 530i delivered smooth acceleration, a quiet engine, and a refined driving experience. The M Sport suspension provided a supple ride, and the car excelled on twisty roads. However, the driving experience felt remote and muted, lacking the connection once associated with BMW. Fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 26.7 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra offered decent interior space, particularly in the front, with comfortable Zero Gravity seats. Front-seat legroom was competitive, but rear-seat legroom lagged behind rivals. The Sentra's design allowed for good forward visibility, and the interior featured practical storage solutions. The trunk provided 14.3 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. An All-Weather Package added comfort features like heated seats and dual-zone climate control.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series excelled as a luxury car, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The power-adjustable front seats were wrapped in Veganza artificial leather, though ventilated seats were absent. The rear seats provided excellent comfort and support, with ample legroom and headroom. Interior storage was adequate, with thoughtful design elements like a smartphone tray and a well-sized glove compartment. The trunk offered 18.4 cubic feet of space, though a spare tire storage box reduced usable cargo room.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's tech offerings felt slightly outdated compared to rivals. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but not wireless. The SV and SR trims added features like a six-speaker audio system and SiriusXM compatibility. The Premium Package offered an eight-speaker Bose system and Wi-Fi connectivity. While functional, the graphics appeared dated.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen under a single curved display. The iDrive 8.5 system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of connected services. Gesture controls and voice interaction were available, though the latter proved inconsistent. The optional Bowers and Wilkins audio system offered impressive aesthetics but fell short in sound quality. The Premium Package added features like a head-up display and advanced parking assistance.

The 2024 Nissan Sentra's safety ratings were mixed. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" rating in the original side-impact test but only "Acceptable" in the updated version. Front crash prevention received "Advanced" and "Basic" ratings for daytime and nighttime scenarios, respectively. The NHTSA provided five-star ratings for rollover and side crashes, but other scores were unavailable. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series came with Active Driving Assistant, offering features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added advanced systems like adaptive cruise control and hands-free highway assistance. The lane-departure warning system was subtle and effective. The IIHS named the 5 Series a Top Safety Pick, though it lacked the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to incomplete testing.