Since its debut, we’ve wished that the new G31 BMW 5 Series Touring would make it to the US market. It’s such a good looking car and is probably the best variant of the 5 Series. In fact, the BMW 540i Touring might be the perfect everyday car. Now, though, there’s a new challenger to the 5 Series Touring and it looks pretty damn good itself — the Audi A6 Avant. So let’s see which one is the better looking car of the two.
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From the front, it’s really tough to call. Both are really handsome cars, both have aggressive front fascias (with the 5 Series in M Sport trim, the Audi A6 has that face as-standard) and both have very large grilles. While looks are subjective and you might have a different opinion, I personally like the Audi A6 better up front but it’s by the tiniest of margins. The difference maker for me is the hood. Its creases are so sharp you could cut yourself on them. That really goes for all Audis these days, as Audi is doing incredible metal stamping work.
In profile, it’s also very close. Both cars have sharp and aggressive shoulder lines, both have similarly shaped rooflines and D-pillars and both looks muscular. Though, I’m going to have to lean toward the 5 Series, here. I love the way its shoulder line stops at its flared front wheel arch, which gives it a really tough look. It also has a much shorter front overhang, which looks better than the Audi’s longer one. It’s close again, though, as the A6 is a really good looking car as well.
Out back, I think the 5 Series is also the more handsome car. The Audi A6 looks really good but its worst angle is from the rear. It just looks a bit dumpy compared to the 5 Series and that has a lot to do with the 5er’s little built-in spoiler, if you can call it that. Also, the Audi A6 Avant has fake exhausts and that’s inexcusable.
Inside, though, the Audi A6 starts to fight back. The 5 Series has a handsome interior but it’s just not as smart looking as the Audi A6’s. It features a really slick looking dual-touchscreen MMI infotainment system, which works better than we had expected (although, we only used it while parked at the NY auto show), great looking ambient lighting on either side of the center console and probably the best digital instrument panel in the business. Also, I’m personally a big fan of four-spoke steering wheels like that and miss them, as it seems as if every car has a three-spoke steering wheels nowadays. Both cars are great inside, though, and both have incredible build qualities. I give the Audi the nod, though, for a slick-looking, more modern styling. But it’s close.
Overall, I honestly don’t know which one I’d choose. I like more about the 5 Series Touring on the outside but I like the Audi A6 Avant’s interior better. So it’s really tough to decide. I guess in an unfair way, I have to choose the 5 Series Touring. I know that it’s a great car to drive so I know that I would love to own it. However, we haven’t driven the new Audi A6 yet, so I can’t really say that it’s worse. It’s just unknown. And on that really unfair bombshell, the BMW 5 Series Touring wins.
[Photo Source: BimmerToday]
Both are largely bland and unexciting.
But BMW is probably more characterful and Audi is more imposing.
I like the exterior of the 5 Series touring more especially the side view. Although I’m leaning towards the front of the Audi A6 Avant against the 5 Series. The Audi’s interior beats the 5 series unfortunately. To me, It just looks more special. I guess it comes down to which one the buyer would enjoy driving on a daily basis. How it navigates the highways and that fun loving twisty b roads. I’m sure the 5 series will feel more special in that regard.
I must be one of a handful of people that doesn’t like Audis interior. But the exterior to me is more exciting than the 5er. Just goes to show, no one company can please everyone.
I am with you as far as Audi’s interiors are concerned. Its way less organic than what i would prefer.
I feel that its way too early to move completely to screen for controlling various functions.
I don’t like it either, AT ALL. So that makes 2 of us already. ;) Don’t agree on the exterior though, in my opinion the 5 Series is way better looking from any angle, especially the rear. But even on the side. I do really like shoulder lines usually, but even in this application I don’t like that…
The Audi does look sleek in front. The back goes to BMW. The side profile is also BMW’s.
Call me boring but I love and prefer BMW interiors for their ergonomic layout. They just feel usable.
Overall, though, I’d pick the BMW as I feel the Audi will look really outdated in a short space of time with that sleek and “funky” front.
Comparing the gorgeous G31 to this overpriced VW is an insult…
Maybe that’s a bit exaggerated. Seriously though, I really think BMW nails most of their Touring models, the only one I didn’t really like was the E61. The G31 is a real looker, it’s sporty, classy, everything a car in this segment should be.
The front of the Awdi is sharp, I must admit and it’s no longer boring like most of them are. Especially on the side, the shoulder line could be cool. However, the way they’ve done it and with everything else I don’t even like that. The rear is just flat-out ugly. All just my opinion of course.
The interior, for me is no comparison. BMW is way ahead with any of their interiors. I never liked the Audi interiors, they were always so darn boring. But now, they’ve gone to the cheap, unsafe touchscreen everywhere. Which is even worse. What is that steering wheel even?
As there’s still only one battle that really counts: BMW vs Mercedes-Benz.