History/Overview
While the 5 Series is historically one of BMW’s best-known and loved vehicles, it is often passed over these days in favour of the company’s wide range of SUV models. And like many BMWs, the 5 Series has been reimagined as a quiet, comfortable luxury car where its predecessors offered more driver engagement.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
There are no changes to the 5 Series for the 2022 model year.
Available Trims
BMW offers the 5 Series in 530i and 530e turbo four-cylinder trims, with the latter adding plug-in hybrid capability; the 540i, with a turbo 3.0L six-cylinder engine; and the M550i, powered by a turbo V8. All engines are backed up by an eight-speed transmission and AWD. There’s also a balls-to-the-wall M5 performance variant, which is covered in a separate buyer’s guide entry.
Standard Features
The 530i and 530e come fitted with 19-inch wheels, auto-dimming side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, active LED headlights/fog lights, and automatic high beams. Inside, you get leatherette upholstery, wood interior trim, a heated steering wheel, chrome/satin aluminum exterior trim, a sunroof, heated front sport seats with lumbar support, ambient lighting, automatic A/C, a 12-speaker stereo, and digital gauges.
BMW’s basic safety kit comprises rear cross-traffic alert, city-speed forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear collision prevention, and speed sign recognition.
540i adds real leather upholstery, variable sport steering, passive keyless entry, an M sport package, sensatec dash trim, and satellite radio.
M550i models gain 20-inch wheels, M sport brakes and differential, an adaptive suspension, hands-free trunk, a head-up display, upgraded audio, and an aerodynamics package.
Key Options
To 530i and 530e models, a premium essential package adds passive keyless entry, hands-free trunk, a rear-seat pass-through, head-up display, and an integrated garage remote. A premium enhanced package builds on that with upgraded audio, soft-close doors, a head-up display, and a parking assistant with surround-view cameras.
In the 540i and M550i, a premium excellence package brings BMW’s display key with remote control parking, a drive recorder, comfort front seats with massage, and an ambient air system.
Fuel Economy
BMW rates the 5 Series’ fuel consumption starting at 10.1/7.4 L/100 km (city/highway) in the 530i; 10.5/8.1 L/100 km in the 540i; and 13.5/9.3 L/100 km for the M550i.
The plug-in 530e is rated for 10.5/8.4 L/100 km (city/highway) when running as a gas-electric hybrid, or 3.8 Le/100 km when using the car’s promised 31 km of electric driving range.
Competition
The BMW 5 Series’ primary competitors are the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Genesis G80, Volvo S90, and the Lexus ES.
