History/Overview
The 5 Series has been BMW's midsize sedan for decades, offering buyers who need larger space but still want a sports sedan an excellent option. The 5 now offers gas and PHEV options, as well as a supercar beating M5 that is covered in its own separate guide.
What's New
For 2021, the BMW 5er gets a slight facelift that has given it slightly more angry-looking LED headlights and a more aggressive grille that better links it to the 7 Series and X7. Inside, driver assistance and infotainment systems are much-improved with new mapping and other user interface improvements. The 540i's inline-six also gets a new 48V mild hybrid system.
Available Trims
BMW offers the 5 series with four different engine options, rather than traditional trim levels. The base is the 530i xDrive with a 248 hp turbocharged four, followed by the 530e xDrive which is a plug-in hybrid model. A 540i version gets a 335 hp twin-turbo inline-six while the M550i uses a 4.4L V8 turbocharged to 523 hp. All are all-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic.
Standard Features
Standard equipment on 530i includes a heated steering wheel, sunroof, four-zone climate, heated front seats, ambient lighting, power seats with lumbar adjustment, active LED lights, parking sensors front and rear, driving assistant with pedestrian warning and emergency braking as well as lane change warnings and other driver aids, and a 12.3-inch digital dash with 10.25-inch infotainment system. 540i adds variable sport steering M550i models add M Sport brakes and Sport differential, adaptive dampers, power trunk, proximity key locking, sports seats, leatherette dash, Harman Kardon audio, head-up display, and gesture control.
Key Options
Extensive leather, paint colour, and trim options are available, as well as wheels. Advanced driver assistance with dashcam recorder, traffic jamp assistant, and parking assistant with surround view is offered, as are premium packages to add ventilated and massage seats as well as head-up display with another to add soft-close doors, sunshades, and wireless charging. Nearly all comfort features on M550i can be added to the other models through various packages.
Fuel Economy
BMW 530e offers a 31 km electric range, and 3.8 Le/100 km combined. 530i offers 10.1/7.5 L/100 km city, highway, 540i 10.3/7.6, and M550i 13.5/9.5.
Competition
BMW's 5 Series competes with the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class as well as the Genesis GV80.
