2020 BMW 5 Series

History/Overview

The BMW 5 Series is the German brand's mid-size sedan; it's also one of the auto industry's best-known luxury cars. BMW introduced the seventh-generation 5 Series in 2017; as a model, it has been in production since the early 1970s.

What's New / Key Changes from Last Year

For 2020, the most significant change is a power boost for the top-end M550i, which now boasts 523 hp (from last year's 456). Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid 530e gets a larger battery pack that extends the car's electric driving range. BMW has also added a few new items to the car's list of standard features.

Available Trims

The 5 Series' trims are all based around the car's four available drivetrains. The 530i and 530e share a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with the 530e adding power from an electric motor. The 540i gets a 3.0L turbo six-cylinder, and the M550i uses a 4.4L turbo V8.

An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard in all variants.

Standard Features

Outside, the 530i and 530e come with 19-inch wheels and tires, a sunroof, auto-dimming side mirrors, LED headlights and fog lights, and an M aerodynamics package.

The cabin is equipped with a heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Dakota leather seat upholstery, heated front sport seats with power adjustments and lumbar support, ambient lighting, aluminum dash trim, a full digital gauge cluster, four-zone automatic climate control, navigation, a 12-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay, and a black headliner.

Standard safety kit consists of front and rear parking sensors, adaptive headlights, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and city-speed braking, lane departure/lane change warning, blind sport monitoring, and cross traffic alert.

540i adds an M Sport suspension system and 20-inch wheels and tires.

The M550i gets 20-inch wheels in a trim-specific style, an M rear spoiler, heated rear seats, larger brakes, an adaptive M suspension, a head-up display, and gesture control.

Key Options

One of the 5 Series' most notable packages is a remote parking system that lets you drive the car into a parking lot using the key fob.

A driver assistance package adds steering and lane control, evasion assist, front cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, and active cruise control with stop-and-go and traffic jam assistance.

An interior comfort group bundles ventilated front comfort seats with massage, reading lights, and a leatherette-trimmed dash.

The premium package brings an integrated garage door opener, hands-free trunk operation, a head-up display, and satellite radio. An enhanced premium package adds rear sunshades, active headlights, soft-close doors, and an upgraded stereo.

Finally, the M Sport package adds bigger brakes, transmission shift paddles, and 20-inch wheels.

Fuel Economy

BMW's fuel consumption estimates for the 530i are 9.9/7.5 L/100 km (city/highway).

The 540i's ratings are 10.7/8.1 L/100 km.

Finally, the M550i's figures are 13.6/9.3 L/100 km (city/highway).

As of this writing, BMW had not published estimates for the 2020 530e and its larger battery. Last year's car was rated 3.5 Le/100 km on electric power, and 8.8/7.7 L/100 km when running as a gas-electric hybrid.

Competition

With the venerable 5 Series, BMW competes with other wealthy-household names like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6, Volvo's S90, the Jaguar XF, Lexus's GS, and the Genesis G80.