Vehicle naming systems can be confusing, especially when it comes to luxury brands. Vehicle shoppers can be confident that any vehicle with the BMW name will offer engaging driving and attractive features, but what advantages does the BMW 3 Series have over the BMW 5 Series? Or visa versa? In this BMW 3 Series vs 5 Series comparison, we are going to examine one compact and one midsize model in the BMW lineup. The BMW 3 Series is a compact four-door luxury sedan that seats five passengers. The BMW 5 Series is also a five-person four-door luxury sedan, but it is on the midsize scale. This means more interior space and cargo room, and a higher price point. Those looking for an attractive daily commuter or general driver can be very satisfied with the engaging driving and attractive features in either of these models. We’ve compared a recent model year to give you an idea of the specifics.