BMW 5 Series is taking over Europe with Mercedes-Benz E-Class in distant second
Published on Jun 17, 2025 at 4:45 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Jun 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The BMW 5 Series is outselling both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6 in Europe through the first four months of 2025.
This surge reflects a clear preference shift in the premium sedan market, with the BMW 5 Series pulling significantly ahead of its closest rivals.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, despite strong brand loyalty, has failed to keep up in unit volume, and the Audi A6 has also struggled to match BMW’s pace.
These European sales results suggest that BMW’s recent redesign is resonating well with buyers across the continent.
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BMW reported 20,402 units of the BMW 5 Series sold between January and April, outpacing the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which recorded 15,811 sales, and the Audi A6, which followed with 13,774.
Despite year-on-year growth for all three models, BMW’s momentum is the strongest.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class gained 19 percent over last year, while the Audi A6 posted a 10 percent increase, but neither figure comes close to the 56 percent sales jump for the BMW 5 Series.
These figures underscore BMW’s competitive advantage in a tightening luxury sedan segment.
Electrification has also played a key role in shaping the 2025 European sales race.
The electric BMW i5 accounted for 8,843 of the brand’s total 5 Series sales, putting it ahead of the Audi A6 e-tron, which logged 7,460 units.
The Mercedes EQE sedan managed just 3,740 units in the same period, further widening the gap in electric model performance.
This reinforces the appeal of the BMW 5 Series lineup as a well-rounded offering across drivetrain types.
With fewer competitors in the market, BMW’s lead appears even more secure.
The Jaguar XF and Maserati Ghibli have both exited production, with Jaguar shifting its strategy and Maserati winding down sales after delivering only 51 units in early 2025.
That leaves the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6 as the primary contenders in the executive sedan category. And right now, BMW is winning.
The BMW 5 Series is dominating European sales in early 2025, leaving the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 to play catch-up in a changing luxury car landscape.
Strong design updates, high electric adoption, and market availability are driving its success.
As the year progresses, Mercedes and Audi will need bold strategies to close the gap. For now, the BMW 5 Series remains the clear leader in European sales.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
