BMW 5 Series review

Lionel Messi has won football’s Ballon d'Or a record eight times, but he’s still got nothing on the BMW 5 Series, which has won 27 What Car? Awards over the years – more than any other model.

Part of the reason for the 5 Series' sustained success is that BMW has done a great job of keeping it up to date. The latest version is even available as an electric car – the BMW i5 – which you can read about in our separate review. However, here we’re focusing on the other variants.

The cheapest option is the 520i, which uses a 205bhp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine, and there are also two plug-in hybrids: the 530e, which produces 295bhp, and the 550e, with a whopping 482bhp. (Or, for the performance version, see our BMW M5 review.)

BMW 5 Series video review

Rivals include the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class so in this review we’ll look at how the latest BMW 5 Series compares with those cars in key areas. We'll cover everything from the way it drives to how practical it is and how much it will cost to run. Read on to find out how we rate it...

Even in entry-level 520i form, the BMW 5 Series isn’t slow (0-62mph takes 7.5 seconds), but you do have to rev it quite hard if you want to get up to speed in a hurry. In addition, while its standard eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts smoothly and smartly most of the time, if you ask for a sudden burst of pace, it can pause noticeably before changing down with a jolt.

For a more responsive drive, you’ll want to look at the BMW 530e plug-in hybrid (PHEV). That version is more powerful, and the addition of an electric motor helps fill in any gaps when you want a burst of acceleration, cutting the 0-62mph time to 6.3 seconds. The other 5 Series PHEV – the 550e – is even quicker, cutting two seconds off the sprint time.

Better still, both have good electric-only ranges, with the 550e officially managing 55 miles on a charge, and the 530e capable of 63 miles. That said, the Mercedes E300e trumps both, managing around 70 miles.

BMW car models tend to be at their best when specified with adaptive suspension but even on the standard passive set-up the 520i and 530e handle well. Body movements are more tightly controlled than they are in an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class and the precise, well-weighted steering adds to your confidence in corners.

On the downside, you feel some fidget over poorly surfaced roads, especially in the heavier PHEV, but no version of the 5 Series is overly jarring when it hits a larger bump or pothole. 

As for refinement, the engine in the 520i is smooth and quiet enough at a steady cruise, with a pleasingly rorty edge when pushed hard. The same can be said for the 530e, but being a PHEV, at slow speeds it can drive on electricity alone, making for some silent driving around town.

When speeds increase, there’s more wind noise from around the 5 Series' door mirrors than there is in a Mercedes E-Class but it’s still a quiet car.

To read about the most powerful version of the 5 Series, see our BMW M5 review.

"Despite its extra weight over a regular 5 Series, I found the BMW 530e plug-in hybrid surprisingly good to drive. It managed the battery’s heft with ease." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Every BMW 5 Series has a comfortable and supportive driver’s seat, with electric adjustment for the seat height and backrest angle, plus electrically adjustable lumbar support.

Forward visibility is good. And while the view behind the car is more restricted, that's not a huge problem due to the standard rear-view camera and all-round parking sensors (a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera is available as an option).

In addition, all versions of the 5 Series come with adaptive LED headlights, which you can leave on high beam because they automatically shape their beam to avoid dazzling other drivers.

A head-up display that projects sat-nav instructions and your speed on to the windscreen is optional. Meanwhile, the standard 12.3in digital driver's display sits side by side with a 14.9in infotainment touchscreen to give the illusion of a big curved display.

As well the touchscreen for controlling functions, the 5 Series also gives you a control dial and shortcut buttons between the front seats. They make it far less distracting to make menu selections and change settings than the systems in the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class.

Voice control is included too, while a system that allows you to operate certain functions with gestures is optional – although it doesn’t really improve usability, and feels like a bit of a gimmick that’s not worth the extra outlay.

On the other hand, you’re certainly not short-changed by the 5 Series' standard of assembly, and it’s a match for the rock-solid Audi A6 in this regard. All the materials you come into contact with look and feel expensive, whereas the Mercedes E-Class is flimsy in places.

A DAB radio and a Harman Kardon stereo come as standard in the 5 series, with a Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available as an option. Wireless phone-charging is also included, along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.

"While the 5 Series' standard Harman Kardon stereo is really good, I'd argue that the optional Bowers and Wilkins system is one of the best out there, giving your music more depth. It’s quite expensive though." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

There’s loads of leg and head room in the front of the BMW 5 Series, even with the optional panoramic glass roof fitted. Meanwhile, storage includes a pair of cupholders, a cubby beneath the central armrest and large door bins.

Rear space is comparable with key rivals, meaning two six-footers will be comfortable, but a central rear passenger gets a narrower seat and has to straddle a hump in the floor.

The 5 Series gives you 520 litres of boot space (a bit more than the all-electric BMW i5, which has 490 litres). That’s slightly down on the 540-litre capacity of a non-PHEV Mercedes E-Class but more than the Mercedes E300e (370 litres).

Like the E-Class, the 5 Series has rear seats that split and fold in a versatile 40/20/40 configuration. The Audi A6 and Jaguar XF have the same set-up. For even greater practicality, consider the estate version – the BMW 5 Series Touring – which can take 570 litres of luggage below its load cover and has all the same engines.

"I find it impressive that BMW has managed to keep the 5 Series plug-in hybrid’s boot the same size as the mild hybrid – something that can’t be said for the Mercedes E-Class." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

The BMW 5 Series looks quite pricey compared with the Audi A6 and Jaguar XF but it’s significantly cheaper than the Mercedes E-Class on a like-for-like basis. Better still, the 5 Series is predicted to depreciate slightly slower than that rival (and all the others, for that matter), helping to keep PCP finance rates down.

The 530e PHEV treads the middle ground when you consider company car tax bills, costing more than the Mercedes E300e (the E-Class's longer electric range gives it a lower BIK tax rating) and lots less than an Audi A6 PHEV.

It’s worth noting that if the fully electric BMW i5 is on the list of company cars you’re allowed to choose from (and it might not be due to its high lease price) it will cost less to run than any PHEV – as will other electric cars and electric SUVs.

M Sport trim is the cheapest available for the 5 Series, and includes 19in alloy wheels, faux-leather upholstery, climate control, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats and ambient interior lighting.

Upgrading to M Sport Pro brings black exterior highlights, a subtle rear spoiler, an illuminated front grille, red brake callipers, Alcantara across the interior and 20in wheels.

Unless M Sport Pro's styling really appeals, we'd recommend you instead spend your money on the Comfort Plus Pack, which includes keyless entry, a powered boot lid, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and four-zone climate control.

In the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, BMW finished eighth out of the 31 manufacturers included – above Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes, but a fair way below Lexus, which came second.

The three-year unlimited-mileage warranty BMW gives you is also inferior to the Lexus equivalent, which lasts 10 years or 100,000 miles if you get your car serviced at a Lexus dealer.

In terms of safety, the 5 Series scored the full five stars out of five when it was assessed by Euro NCAP. Its best score was 89%, for Adult Occupant protection. All versions come with a host of electronic driver aids, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and rear cross-traffic alert as part of the standard-fit Driving Assistant Pack.

"I think it’s a bit of a shame that most of the BMW 5 Series’ options are sorted into packs, because it means you can’t get things like the brilliant head-up display without paying lots for a pack." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

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