2021 BMW 5-Series

The fine but familiar exterior and warm interior earn it a point to get a 6. 

The adaptive headlights get a little narrower and have twin L-shaped daytime running lights that double as indicators. The taller and wider grille with more pronounced slats nudge the headlights out. The rear features bolder tailpipe finishers with a new taillight design. 

Inside, two 12.3-inch screens fill a dash that comes with a nice but sedate contrast of available leather with wood trim separated by chrome dash elements. Nothing stands out, including the controller dial in the center console or the butterfly center armrest, but it envelops riders in warmth and comfort. The refreshed Mercedes E-Class does it better.

The base 530i model packs a punch with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, good enough to reach 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, or 5.8 with all-wheel drive. Ready acceleration is made better by linear delivery from the superlative 8-speed automatic transmission that goes deep into the red during Sport mode driving and remains effortlessly calm in EcoPro or Comfort mode. 

A 2.0-liter engine pairs to a 12.0-kwh battery pack to boost the 530e plug-in hybrid to 288 hp and 310 lb-ft. The improvement of 40 hp from last year’s model results in a 5.7-second 0-60 mph time but a middling 20 miles of all-electric range. That hardly justifies the $3,000 upcharge, even with available governmental subsidies. 

The new mild-hybrid system on the 540i is worth the money, however. The two-battery system takes the load off the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with a coasting function that returns energy to the larger 48-volt starter generator, which then powers the 12-volt battery to run the electrical systems in the cabin. The starter/generator provides a boost of 11 hp for total output of 335 hp and 332 lb-ft. It never lacks for power. Unlike current politics, the transfer of power is virtually unnoticeable, except for the power monitor on the touchscreen and digital cluster. It improves efficiency by 2 mpg and boosts 0-60 mph time to 4.6 seconds with all-wheel drive.

The M550i’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 comes with all-wheel drive standard. It needs it to get 523 hp and 553 lb-ft to the pavement for a 60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. 

If that’s not quick enough, there’s a higher strung variant that wrings out 600 hp and 553 lb-ft in the M5, or 617 hp in the M5 Competition. The face melt happens in 3.1 seconds. 

Is the 5-Series 4WD?

The sedan can be had with all-wheel drive for $2,300 more on 530 and 540 models; it’s standard on the V-8 car. It’s heavier but quicker that way, and the double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension never betray the crossover-like 4,000-pound average weight. 

The suspension, with the adaptive dampers on the M package or standard on the M550i, vies for the 8-speed automatic as the finest element of the 5-Series. The adaptive dampers help it hug the road, and challenges the driver to go quicker in and out of turns without losing its sure footing. The 5-Series can cruise comfortably and leisurely, or button down on a switch to run quicker, turn sharper, and handle with more firmness and agility. 

A middle seat rider in back won’t be as charmed by the adequate leg and head room, and heated option on the outboard seats. The center is best used as a pass through from the 40/20/40 split rear seats into the long but narrow 14.0 cubic feet of trunk space. The 530e plug-in hybrid trims that cargo volume down to 10.0 cubic feet.

The IIHS crowned the 5-Series a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with adaptive LED headlights last year. This year it aced all six crash tests—but received an Acceptable rating for its LATCH child seat system. It does not have a Top Safety Pick award this year because its pedestrian-protection system hasn't been tested. If it is, we'll update our score.

The 5-Series comes with standard driver assist systems that help it avoid or mitigate a crash as well, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, rear automatic braking, and automatic high beams. 

The optional Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control that can restart from a stop, active lane control, an emergency setting that can bring the car to a stop on a highway shoulder, and hands-free driving up to about 37 mph in clearly marked divided highways with a lead vehicle present. 

Good outward vision aids drivers, abetted by other options such as a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and a built-in dash cam.

The infotainment system has improved to be one of the best on the market, with natural voice commands that can do everything from put down windows or disable navigation voice guidance. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster adapts to the drive mode, so the tach becomes an energy usage monitor in EcoPro mode, for instance. Oddly, the button to toggle through the gauge info hides on the indicator stalk. 

Which BMW 5-Series should I buy?

Starting at $55,195, the 2021 5-Series comes with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless start, ambient lighting, a sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but not leather seats. 

Any colors other than white or black add at least $550 and leather hides add at least $1,500, which reflects the extensive options parsing in the 5-Series. 

For real hides and wireless smartphone compatibility, as well as adaptive cruise control, you’d have to step into our recommended model, the more powerful and efficient 540i for $60,445. 

How much is a fully loaded 2021 BMW 5-Series?

The M5 sedan costs $104,495, and the Competition model tops out at $112,095. It wears revised bumpers for 2021, has a new Track mode with new shock absorbers and revised dampers. The Competition model rides 0.2 inches lower than the M5, and has firmer springs, ball joint mounts, and rear anti-roll bar. It’s made for tracking.

Beyond those outliers, the 2021 5-Series improved efficiency via a mild hybrid system on its 540i volume model to earn a 5 here. The turbo-6 gets an EPA-rated 25 mpg city, 32 highway, 27 combined. Last year’s model was 25 mpg combined.

The 530i gets the same 25/33/28 mpg. All-wheel drive knocks either model down 1 mpg combined.

The V-8 in the M550i got 20 mpg combined last year, but hasn't been rated this year.