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BMW 5 Series Saloon vs VW Transporter Bus comparison

Compare performance (727 HP vs 286 HP), boot space and price (51,400 £ vs 41,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 5 Series Saloon or VW Transporter Bus?

BMW 5 Series Saloon vs VW Transporter Bus: Key differences

BMW 5 Series Saloon

  • substantially more power
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • moderately lighter
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VW Transporter Bus

  • visibly cheaper
  • substantially more efficient
  • significantly more electric range
  • noticeably more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

5 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

VW Transporter Bus is visibly cheaper – starting at 41,500 £ , while the BMW 5 Series Saloon costs 51,400 £ . That’s a price difference of around 9,950 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Transporter Bus uses 0.8 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the BMW 5 Series Saloon with 2.1 L/100km. The difference is about 1.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the VW Transporter Bus offers significantly more range – reaching up to 324 km, about 219 km more than the BMW 5 Series Saloon.

Transporter Bus

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 5 Series Saloon offers substantially more power – delivering 727 HP compared to 286 HP. That’s roughly 441 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 5 Series Saloon is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Transporter Bus takes 7.4 s. That’s about 3.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 5 Series Saloon delivers substantially more torque with 1,000 Nm compared to 415 Nm. That’s about 585 Nm more.

5 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: VW Transporter Bus offers more seats – 8 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, BMW 5 Series Saloon is moderately lighter – 1,800 kg compared to 1,998 kg. The difference is around 198 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Transporter Bus offers noticeably more boot space – 763 L compared to 520 L. That’s a difference of about 243 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Transporter Bus carries considerably more – 1,143 kg compared to 600 kg. That’s a difference of about 543 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Transporter Bus is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £41,500
Transporter Bus

VW Transporter Bus

  • Engine Type Diesel, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 110 - 286 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 0.8 - 9.2 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 22.4 - 24.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 87 - 324 km
BMW 5 Series Saloon
VW Transporter Bus

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The BMW 5 Series Saloon blends executive poise with a driver's instinct, delivering a supple, refined cabin and a chassis that prefers composed authority over bravado. For buyers who want a grown-up commuter that still enjoys a twisty road, it’s the kind of car that keeps your colleagues impressed and your weekend grin intact.

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VW Transporter Bus

The VW Transporter is the Swiss Army knife of vans — rugged, practical and surprisingly civilized on the road, whether you’re hauling kit for a job or converting it into a weekend camper. It isn’t trying to be glamorous, but its blend of durability, clever packaging and familiar VW charm makes it a sensible choice for buyers who need space without sacrificing driveability.

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BMW 5 Series Saloon
VW Transporter Bus

Costs and Consumption

Price
51,400 - 124,500 £
Price
41,500 - 85,100 £
Consumption L/100km
2.1 - 5.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
0.8 - 9.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
22.4 - 24.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
67 - 105 km
Electric Range
87 - 324 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
11.8 - 63.8 kWh
co2
48 - 152 g/km
co2
0 - 229 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 60 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Bus
Seats
5
Seats
4 - 8
Doors
-
Doors
4 - 5
Curb weight
1,800 - 2,515 kg
Curb weight
1,998 - 2,620 kg
Trunk capacity
466 - 520 L
Trunk capacity
0 - 763 L
Length
-
Length
4,973 - 5,450 mm
Width
1,900 - 1,970 mm
Width
1,941 - 2,032 mm
Height
-
Height
1,907 - 1,997 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
3,672 - 4,005 L
Payload
425 - 600 kg
Payload
330 - 1,143 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
197 - 727 HP
Power HP
110 - 286 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 7.5 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.4 - 16.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
112 - 200 km/h
Torque
330 - 1,000 Nm
Torque
310 - 415 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
145 - 535 kW
Power kW
81 - 210 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 4,395 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,488 cm3

General

Model Year
2,023 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B, C
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, F, B, A
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.