It’s hard to think of another car that’s been as consistently brilliant as the BMW 5 Series over 50 years and seven generations. It’s won an army of fans and, more often than not, delivered a well-built and practical interior, an extremely comfortable ride, and genuinely engaging driving dynamics. This is the new eighth-generation 5 Series, and a lot is new. But does it still live up to the name?
The new 5 Series, code-named G60, is still a rival to cars like the Audi A6 and the Mercedes E-Class, but it is the biggest 5 Series ever. In fact, it takes up a similar amount of room on the road as the old 7 Series, and it has had a styling update as well. It’s not quite as divisive as some other BMW designs, like the iX and the 4 Series, but it has still divided some BMW fans.
Exterior Design
Design features to point out include this grille at the front, which is quite traditional rather than going down the 4 Series route. You can also get an LED light strip around the outside to illuminate it at night. You get adaptive LED headlights as standard, there are flush door handles, and the alloys range from 19 inches up to 21 inches.
Interior
Inside, you get a very comfortable driving position in every 5 Series. You get an electric adjustment for the seat as standard, which also includes electrical lumbar adjustment, and you have very good forward visibility out the front. It’s not quite so impressive out the back, but you still get a reversing camera and all-around parking sensors as standard. Plus, on the options list, you can also add a 360° bird’s-eye view camera setup, which is very fancy indeed. It makes parking this pretty big car fairly simple. We also mentioned earlier you get adaptive LED headlights as standard, and what’s great about that is that at night, you can leave your full beams on, and the car will automatically adapt the output of the light to avoid dazzling oncoming road users, which is very useful.
Tech Features
On the options list, you’ll also find a head-up display, but as standard, you get this fully digital driver display. It’s very good because the graphics are nice and the information is clear. However, the problem is that for some driving positions, the top of the steering wheel cuts off a significant chunk of the top of the screen, which is frustrating. Unfortunately, this is common in new cars with fully digital driver displays. It’s attached to a touchscreen infotainment system, giving it a widescreen techy layout.
For many years, BMW’s infotainment system has been praised for being fantastic, which remains true here. One of the reasons iDrive has always been fantastic is the rotary dial on the centre console, which allows you to scroll and select menus far more easily than using a touchscreen. However, the rotary dial is a bit thin, making it difficult to grip, and pushing it up or down doesn’t feel particularly satisfying.
The shortcut buttons on the centre console are part of a wobbly plastic touch-sensitive setup, which is harder to use than simple, physical buttons. Despite these flaws, the system is still easier to use than those in the Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class, which are touchscreen only. There is also a voice control function available.
Infotainment and connectivity
Every model in the 5-series has a sizable curved digital panel that houses a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch adjustable gauge display. We have found the technology to be pretty intuitive, and it is already present in other BMW models, including the iX electric SUV and the 7-series sedan. While a head-up display is an optional feature, all versions include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and a video game system that BMW refers to as AirConsole, which is only accessible while the vehicle is parked.
Practicality & Quality
In terms of quality, the interior feels good with soft-touch materials on the dashboard and an interesting finish on the dash. There are no-cost options to customize the dash finish and upholstery colours, which is a nice touch. Upfront, there is plenty of space, with a padded central armrest that contains a small storage cubby. There are also two cupholders and a spot for wireless phone charging, while the door bins are of a decent size. The rear seats offer good headroom and legroom for a six-footer, though it’s not particularly limo-like. The middle seat is firmer, and the large transmission tunnel makes it harder for a middle passenger to get comfortable.
Cargo Space
The boot has a capacity of 520 litres, no matter which engine version you go for. The Mercedes E-Class has a larger boot at 540 litres, but its plug-in hybrid variant drops to 370 litres, a compromise not necessary with the 5 Series plug-in hybrid. The boot space in the 5 Series is large and practical, though there are bulges that reduce capacity slightly. If the 5 Series sedan isn’t practical enough, the 5 Series Touring estate offers even more space, with 570 litres of storage. The fully electric version of the 5 Series has a slightly smaller boot at 490 litres.
Engine, Power and Performance
There is no diesel option in the new 5 Series lineup, a significant change compared to previous generations. The lineup starts with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the 520i, followed by two plug-in hybrids: the 530e and the more powerful 550e. Above these is the fully electric i5, starting with the eDrive 40 and topping out with the M60. The 520i is a good entry-level option, with a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds, though you’ll need to rev it hard for quick acceleration. The plug-in hybrids are faster, with the 530e covering 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds, and the 550e taking two seconds off that. The plug-in hybrids can also travel on electric power alone, with official ranges of up to 60 miles for the 530e and 55 miles for the 550e. However, real-world ranges are likely to be much lower.
For most buyers, the 520i is the best choice, as the plug-in hybrids are expensive and their real-world electric ranges are not particularly impressive. A performance-focused M5 with over 700 brake horsepower, a V8 engine, and a plug-in hybrid setup is also on the way.
BMW 5 Series Driving
On the road, the BMW 5 Series is based on updated architecture from the previous car. The regular suspension setup can feel firm at low speeds, but it absorbs bumps impressively, especially compared to the E-Class. At motorway speeds, the 5 Series feels quiet, calm, and settled. The best-riding version comes with adaptive suspension professional, but this is only available on more expensive models. Handling is precise, with minimal body lean, making it more enjoyable to drive on twisty roads than the A6 or E-Class.
BMW 5-Series Price
In terms of cost, the 5 Series price starts from $60,500 to $72,700 and sits between the Audi A6 and the more expensive Mercedes E-Class. However, it’s disappointing that you don’t get more standard equipment for the price. The lineup starts with M Sport trim, which includes climate control, 19-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, and heated front seats. M Sport Pro adds exterior styling elements but little else, so it’s best to stick with the entry-level trim and spend money on options like the Comfort Plus Pack, which adds luxuries like keyless entry, an electric boot lid, four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.
How good is the BMW 5 Series?
Ultimately, the fuel-powered versions of the BMW 5 Series are very good, offering comfort, great driving dynamics, and a nice interior. However, the plug-in hybrids are pricey, and their electric ranges are unimpressive compared to rivals. The 520i is a solid choice, but the engine lineup lacks diversity.
