BMW 5 Series review – a near-faultless executive saloon

Verdict – is the BMW 5 Series a good car?

BMW has done itself proud with the latest 5 Series, which is one of the most well-rounded executive saloons on the market. Not only is it good to drive, it’s comfortable and boasts a beautiful interior that feels ergonomic, well-built and makes use of intuitive technology. There’s loads of interior space and no tradeoff in boot space if you go for the plug-in hybrid over the petrol model, but beware that this impressive car comes at a steep price.

BMW 5 Series models, specs and alternatives

The BMW 5 Series is a long-standing staple of the BMW executive saloon car range, which is now in its eighth generation. It’s long set the benchmark as a refined German executive car which offers a more engaging driving experience than its close competitors the Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6.

The BMW 5 Series costs from just over £50,000 for an entry-level 520i model, and while that’s expensive, we were surprised at how much cheaper even our circa-£63k plug-in hybrid 530e test car could be compared to the Mercedes E 300 e on a PCP finance deal when we crunched the numbers.

For the first time, the BMW 5 Series range consists of petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric models; the latter of which is badged as the BMW i5. Even entry-level petrol models get some form of electrification, though, with a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid-assisted engine. Plug-in hybrids make up the majority of the range, with the standard 5 Series coming in two power outputs badged 530e and 550e, and of course the standalone high-performance M5. There’s no longer a diesel version of the 5 Series, despite one being offered in other European markets.

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The BMW i5 comes in two versions – the standard i5 gets a single rear-mounted electric motor, but the performance M model badged M60 xDrive gets a higher power output from two electric motors (one on each axle).

In the UK, the BMW 5 Series is offered in two main trims, forgoing the more pedestrian-looking entry-level trim offered in other markets in favour of M Sport and M Sport Pro, which feature a sportier exterior design as standard.
 

Now that the BMW 5 Series range consists of mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric variants, it’s economical across the board. The biggest savings can be made driving the i5 electric model and the plug-in hybrids because of their low emissions, with the potential to make them great company cars thanks to favourable tax incentives. The PHEVs boast a much more usable electric range than that of the old plug-in hybrid 5 Series. Read more about the BMW 5 Series' MPG, running costs & CO2 emissions...

The BMW 5 Series lineup now mainly consists of plug-in hybrids, though there is a 520i entry-level mild-hybrid petrol, too. The 5 Series is more geared towards an engaging driving feel than all-out comfort, but it’s arguably a better all-rounder than its rivals, which can feel rather numb in comparison. Read more about the BMW 5 Series' engines, drive and performance...

The BMW 5 Series strikes a good balance on the inside, with a less minimalist design than that of a Tesla, but smart, clean lines that evoke a sense of calm. It’s beautifully built and finished, exuding high quality, and the infotainment system is one of the best on the market. Read more about the BMW 5 Series' interior and comfort...

The BMW 5 Series boasts a spacious interior which should make it comfortable for drivers and passengers alike. The boot is a good size and it’s even available as an estate Touring model if you need even more space. Read more about the BMW 5 Series' practicality and boot space...

BMW doesn’t score particularly well in our Driver Power Customer satisfaction surveys, but reliability doesn’t seem to be a weak spot either. Safety is top-notch, however, with the 5 Series getting the full five-star rating from independent crash-test body Euro NCAP. Read more about the BMW 5 Series' reliability and safety...

BMW 5 Series alternatives

The BMW 5 Series has had a long rivalry with executive models such as the Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6, but now the electric i5 goes up against standalone electric models from the aforementioned rival brands and new emerging brands, there’s quite a varied mix of competitors.

• Mercedes E-Class
• Mercedes EQE
• Audi A6
• Audi e-tron GT
• Porsche Taycan
• Porsche Panamera
• Tesla Model S
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Jaguar XF
• Lexus ES

Should you buy a BMW 5 Series?

Quite simply, the BMW 5 Series is hard to fault. This time around it offers a wide range of choices for buyers, with a comprehensive lineup of petrol, plug-in hybrid and electric models, and is arguably the most well-rounded of its competitors in terms of comfort and driving feel.

The 5 Series really does feel special, particularly on the interior, where it exudes an air of luxury and strikes a good balance of physical controls and intuitive virtual ones via the crisp infotainment system. Fit and finish is impeccable and its large dimensions mean there’s a lot of passenger space, too.

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The BMW 5 Series is a fairly practical saloon car, and whereas PHEV versions of many cars are robbed of interior and boot space, there’s no trade-off in the 5 Series unless you go for the all-electric i5, which gets a marginally smaller boot.

If we were to criticise anything, it would be the price – the BMW 5 Series is an expensive car, and jumping up to the 530e PHEV from the mild-hybrid 520i is a circa-£8,500 leap. In fact, that’s the case with each different engine option, so while it might start from just over £50,000, a fully electric model will cost just shy of £80,000, and the range-topping i5 M-car will set you back just under £100,000.

What is the best BMW 5 Series for low running costs?

The cheapest of the BMW 5 Series range to run is the BMW i5 thanks to its zero-emissions status meaning it’s free to tax until 2025, after which point it will cost just £10 a year. It’s also exempt from the first five-year surcharge applicable to cars costing over £40,000 as a result. Purchase one as a company car and you can make big savings because it sits in the lowest BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) tax band. If you don’t fancy the BMW i5, then the 530e is the next best option, as it’s got a cheaper list price and still boasts low emissions which will put it in a low Benefit-in-Kind tax band, although be aware that the luxury car surcharge for the first five years of ownership for cars costing over £40,000 will be applicable for this model, as well as VED (road tax).

How we tested the BMW 5 Series

We drove the BMW 530e plug-in hybrid on British roads in dry, clear weather in April 2024.