BMW 5 Series 520d MHT SE 4dr Step Auto Review
Category: Luxury car
Section: Version review
The model
Read full reviewThe BMW 5 Series is a brilliant, classy and wonderfully refined luxury saloon, with surprisingly low running costs if you go for the 530e plug-in hybrid or 520d mild hybrid. It's a more complete package than its chief rivals, such as the Audi A6, Jaguar XF and Mercedes E-Class.
The trim
See full equipmentSE may be the entry-level trim but it still comes with plenty of luxuries. As standard you get 17in alloy wheels (18in on the more powerful engines), leather seat trim, heated front seats with electric lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, BMW’s fantastic iDrive infotainment system, LED headlights and tail-lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and a parking assistance system. The only option that we’d suggest adding is the split-folding rear seats.
The engine
See full engine specsThe 520d is punchy enough for most people and is our pick of the range. If you don't believe us, check out its claimed 0-62mph time of just 7.2 seconds, which is plenty for whisking you up to motorway speeds without any fuss. Performance is roughly on a par with the rival Mercedes E220d, although in terms of real-world drivability (as opposed to outright 0-62mph acceleration), the Audi A6 40 TDI has a slightly wider performance window, and is fractionally more flexible as a result.
