A comparison of BMW 528 packages: BMW 528i vs 528xi.
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Comparing any two cars can be an exercise in hair splitting. The BMW 528i vs 528xi comparison is going to be closer than most. Not only are both of these cars in the same class of luxury German import sedans, and not only are they made by the same manufacturer, but they're both members of BMW's 5 Series. Clearly, these two will have more points in common than points of divergence, as they are essentially similar vehicles with different trim packages.
Buyerlink is a good place to begin learning about the differences between these two cars. As a buyer's guide, this article will go beyond the sales copy of most car buying guides to consider factors important to a prospective buyer. A BMW 528i vs 528xi comparison will show there are differences between the trims in the areas of price, miles per gallon and overall cost of ownership.
Engine and fuel efficiency
Both of these BMW vehicles feature the same the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant engine. The 528i gets 24 mpg for city driving and a respectable 34 mpg on the highway, while the somewhat sportier 528xi does slightly worse, with 22 mpg and 33 mpg, respectively. In exchange for this slight loss of efficiency, the 528xi offers the convenience of a standard automatic transmission, while the six-gear manual is standard equipment on the 528i.
Safety features
Both the BMW 528i and 528xi include oustanding standard safety features. Both of these cars come with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system, anti-lock brakes, Dynamic Traction Control and other crash avoidance technologies. In the event of a collision, both cars also have dual airbags in front, head airbags in the front and rear and side airbags, which cushion side impacts for four out of the five passengers.
Optional safety equipment for both includes a lane departure warning system, BMW Night Vision with Pedestrian Recognition and a collision warning alarm. Considering that most safety features are either small enough to squeeze into almost any model or built directly into the car's frame, it isn't surprising that such close cousins as the BMW 528i and the 528xi should have little to choose from in this area. One difference is that the 528i offers Integral Active Steering as an option, while the 528xi does not.
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Few cars are quite as similar as these two sedans. A BMW 528i vs 528xi contrast will therefore always be more about their similarities than differences. The 528i is a little more efficient, while the 528xi is a little sportier. A few options are different from one package to the other, but both are BMWs, and both show it.