Cars

2025 Best Large Luxury Car: BMW 5 Series / i5

Completely redesigned last year, the BMW 5 Series enters the 2025 model year without major changes or upgrades, and that’s a good thing because the luxury sedan continues to set benchmarks. The versatile 5 Series was crowned as the Best Large Luxury Car in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards, with our jury of over 20 automotive experts considering every model available in this segment before voting for this BMW as the standout winner. 

With traditional gas-powered engines, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, performance variants, and fully electric models, the robust 5 Series lineup represents vehicles our jury can confidently recommend as best buys in this segment.

The 5 Series has long been an excellent vehicle to consider when shopping for a large luxury car, and the current eighth generation of BMW’s popular sedan continues to deliver the features, driving feel, and amenities that have made it a winning choice for many years. Sandwiched between BMW’s smaller and more nimble 3 Series and its larger and more luxurious 7 Series, the 5 Series offers a spacious interior and premium materials that give the cabin an executive suite-like ambiance and a luxurious feel.

The upscale interior comes with an array of modern technologies, many of which are accessed and controlled via a massive panel that sits atop the dashboard. The large curved digital panel serves as the focal point of the cabin and incorporates a 12.3-inch gauge display with a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Although the crisp graphics and intuitive user interface make it a delight to use, some of the more advanced tech features come with a learning curve.

The fact that the 5 Series comes well-equipped with a long list of standard safety and advanced driver assistance features is another reason why it’s a winner. Also key is the availability of driver assistance packages that can significantly lower a driver’s fatigue levels in all types of road and traffic conditions.

The 5 Series’ wide array of powertrain options is yet another factor that makes it a winner. The fully-electric i5 has a range of up to 428 km, the 255-hp gasoline-powered 530i is a great gas-powered option, the 550e PHEV is luxurious and efficient, and the athletic M5 packs a punch with 727 hp, 738 lb-ft of torque, and a neck-snapping zero-to-100-km/h time of only 3.5 seconds.

No matter the 5 Series model or the powertrain choice, this German sedan has long been known for delivering on the promise of a sporty yet luxurious ride, for offering ample room for all passengers, and for pampering occupants in an inviting and quiet cabin. Add in the right mix of essential technologies and a thoroughly modern infotainment system, and it’s easy to see why the 5 Series checks all the boxes, and why it has been voted as the Best Large Luxury Car in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards.