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- Highs Wide range of powertrains, roomy and luxurious cabin, many standard and optional technology features.
- Lows Comfort-over-sport demeanor, conservative exterior, most of the good stuff costs a lot extra.
- Verdict Although it doesn't drive like BMW sport sedans of the past, the 5-Series is a nice, relaxing luxury car with pedigree.
Overview
Past versions of BMW's 5-Series have been sharp-handling sports sedans, but the 2020 model has traded driving verve for quiet comfort. It will fit four adults in its spacious cabin with room to spare and can be outfitted with all manner of luxuries including optional massaging seats, soft-close doors, a power trunklid, and a host of driver-assistance features. Buyers can choose between the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a plug-in hybrid powertrain, a turbo inline-six, and a twin-turbo V-8. We've found the V-8–powered M550i to be the most thrilling, but those interested in a more relaxed luxury car will find one of the other three more to their liking.
What's New for 2020?
BMW has made a few significant improvements to members of the 5-Series family to help improve performance for 2020. On one end of the spectrum, the M550i model receives a power bump from 456 horsepower to 523; on the other end of the spectrum, the 530e plug-in hybrid model receives a larger 12-kWh battery pack. Other changes to the lineup include a list of new standard features, including a digital gauge display, in-dash navigation, and keyless passive entry. M550i models receive heated front seats as standard and also now come with the M Sport Differential. The diesel 540d model has been discontinued.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Although it's tempting to spring for the twin-turbo V-8 M550i, the midrange 540i and its silky-smooth inline-six is the better value, so it's our recommendation. It's easy to skyrocket the 540i's price by adding on a number of expensive packages, so we'd take it easy and select the Convenience package, which adds heated seats, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and a power-operated trunk lid.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Smooth, powerful, and efficient, both the four-cylinder in the 530i and the six-cylinder in the 540i motivate this big sedan with authority. Each pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts intuitively and quickly, making the most of the available power. The 540i's six-cylinder is silky and potent, and it makes a delightful noise to boot. With a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under its hood, the M550i is the athlete of the 5-Series lineup (we review the M5 separately) and in our hands, the M550i sprinted through our acceleration runs faster than the Audi S6 and the 10Best-award-winning Mercedes-AMG E43. All of the 5-Series models are competent handlers, but they lack the kind of driving verve we expect from BMW. Steering feedback is light, and the ride, even in the performance-oriented M550i, feels tuned more for comfort than for pure driving pleasure.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The 530e plug-in uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to produce 248 horsepower; in our testing, an all-wheel-drive 530e managed a nippy 6.1-second run from zero to 60 mph.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
On top of their already impressive power and refinement, the engines offered here are remarkably efficient. EPA numbers for both the four-cylinder 530i and the six-cylinder 540i are near the top of the class. Both cars were overachievers in our real-world testing, delivering 34 and 31 mpg, respectively. If that's still not enough to placate your fuel-sipping needs, check out the 530e plug-in hybrid, which managed 39 MPGe in our real-world testing.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Rich appointments and good design make the cockpit of the 5-Series a civilized space—and a noticeable upgrade compared with the somewhat drab cabin of its predecessor. It's also spacious for rear-seat passengers and features an impressive amount of technology, even for this high-tech segment. We've experienced the optional 20-way multi-contour front seats, which adjust in every way imaginable and provide plush comfort for hours on end. The standard seats might not be as sybaritic, but still adjust in 16 ways. The BMW's large trunk is on par with its competitors (we fit six carry-on suitcases inside a 540i's trunk), but the cabin is lacking in cubbies and storage compartments. To accommodate the battery pack, the plug-in hybrid 530e has four less cubic feet of trunk space than nonhybrid models. The 530e fit two fewer carry-on suitcases in its trunk but retains its folding rear seats.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large, 10.2-inch high-resolution central display is standard on every 5-Series and is controlled by your choice of BMW's iDrive rotary knob, the touchscreen, or various voice commands. Navigation, a USB port, and Bluetooth streaming audio are standard, although you have to pay extra for SiriusXM satellite radio. Apple CarPlay is standard; Android Auto is not available, and neither is an auxiliary input jack. BMW's Gesture Control is an unusual option: It allows the driver or passenger to input certain commands with hand gestures, but we found it to be more gimmicky than useful.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 5-Series performed well in crash-testing, earning top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety across the board and earned a Top Safety Pick+ award; however, it has yet to be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Plenty of driver-assistance features are standard and additional tech is optional. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW's warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance are about average for the segment but fall short of the Jaguar XF's more comprehensive coverage.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
