Holden Barina vs BMW 5 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Holden Barina
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder petrol
85kW
6.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
502L
BMW 5 Series
From $114,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
140kW
6.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
520L
Holden Barina: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Holden Barina and BMW 5 Series hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW 5 Series, against 0 on the Holden Barina.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems. Airbag count is 6 in the Holden Barina and 6 in the BMW 5 Series.
Feature Showdown
The Holden Barina features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the BMW 5 Series gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The BMW 5 Series counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio that the Holden Barina does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Holden Barina uses a 1.6 litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder petrol producing 85kW and 155Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a FWD layout.
The BMW 5 Series responds with a Petrol making 140kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
The BMW 5 Series has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 85kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Holden Barina measures 4,399mm long on a 2,525mm wheelbase, 661mm shorter than the BMW 5 Series at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 5 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 502L in the Holden Barina and 520L in the BMW 5 Series, giving the BMW 5 Series a 18L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m diameter
Average
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,938/year for the Holden Barina and $1,938/year for the BMW 5 Series.
Estimated annual total: $1,938 (Holden Barina) vs $1,938 (BMW 5 Series). Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Holden Barina) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 5 Series). The BMW 5 Series has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Holden Barina if: You or prefer Holden's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 5 Series if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 5 Series takes 3 of 3 key spec categories. The BMW 5 Series adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Holden Barina and BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 5 Series is the cheapest at $114,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Holden Barina uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Holden Barina and BMW 5 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 5 Series has the largest boot at 520L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 5 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 5 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 5 Series makes the most power at 140kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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