Overview

What's New for 2023

The 2023 BMW 5 Series is available in four trim levels: 530i, 530e, 540i, and M550i. The 530i is popular, but we recommend the 540i. We'll explain why.

530i

The base 530i ($57,795) is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 248 horsepower. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, all-season run-flat tires, a moonroof, adaptive LED headlights, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, front sports seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. In-car tech features include dual 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, complemented by automatic high beams, parking sensors, and a drowsy driver alert.

530i xDrive

Priced at $58,095, the all-wheel-drive version of the entry-level 5 Series mirrors the standard 530i's equipment list.

530e

The "e" in the 530e ($57,395) signifies that the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is hooked up to a plug-in hybrid system. The result is 288 total system horsepower and 21 miles of all-electric driving range. The 530e has the same equipment as the 530i.

530e xDrive

The plug-in all-wheel-drive 530e xDrive costs $59,695 and is equipped similarly to the 530e model.

540i

For $62,595, the 540i is upgraded with a 335-hp twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine supplemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It's more expensive than the 530i, but its six-cylinder engine delivers the extra wallop most buyers will want and expect in a midsize luxury sedan.

The standard features list is the same as the 530i/e models. But the 540i does offer additional options, such as the Dynamic Handling package that delivers adaptive drive, active roll stabilization, and dynamic damper control. As on all lower trims, M Sport brakes are a $650 option and well worth it if you engage in performance driving.

Options for the 530i, 530e, and 540i include the Premium package (adds a power trunk release, remote engine start, heated front and rear seats, a head-up display, and a Harman Kardon audio system) and the Executive package (includes Premium package features and adds rear sunshades, ceramic trim controls, and wireless device charging).

Additional safety features come with the Driving Assistance Professional package, including low-grade autonomous driving aided by adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, and evasive steering assist.

Several other stand-alone options are available, including 19- and 20-inch wheels, M Sport brakes with red or blue calipers, an adaptive suspension, front massaging seats, and a dashboard wrapped in simulated leather.

540i xDrive

The all-wheel-drive version of the 540i costs $64,895 and is equipped similarly to the 540i model.

M550i

The top-spec M550i model ($80,895) comes standard with a raucous 4.4-liter V8, 19-inch wheels, M Sport brakes and rear differential, adaptive suspension, aero kit with a rear spoiler, power trunk lid, aluminum interior trim, remote engine start, and a Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo system.

The optional Parking Assistance package, available only for the M550i, includes a self-parking system, a dash cam, a surround-view camera, and automatic braking if necessary during low-speed parking maneuvers.

The 5 Series serves up impressive performance in any trim. The 248-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four-cylinder propels the base 530i from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. That's probably enough for most drivers, although the 530i lacks some punch when you need to quickly accelerate from a highway cruising speed. That's where the 540i's turbocharged six-cylinder comes in with its 335 horses and a 4.9-second 0-60 mph time.

If you don't want to pay $105,000 for the BMW M5 but want most of its thrust, the 523-hp M550i's 4.4-liter V8 will deliver a 0-60-mph time of 3.6 seconds while saving you $25,000 over the M5.

All engines route power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission that seamlessly upshifts and downshifts with lightning speed when prompted. Handling comes secondary to a smooth ride in all models except for the M550i. The standard brakes grab and release smoothly, making them ideal for zipping around town or battling traffic congestion. If you tend to drive aggressively, upgrading to the M Sport brakes will deliver more immediate stopping power.

The 530i returns an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which are strong numbers for a sedan of its size. By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz E350 turbo four-cylinder returns 22/31 mpg city/highway, the Audi A6 Quattro AWD turbo-four gets 23/31 mpg, and the Volvo S90 AWD achieves 21/32 mpg.

The BMW 540i loses just 1 mpg on the highway compared to the 530i, with 25/32 mpg city/highway estimates.

Choosing all-wheel drive drops estimates by 2 mpg city and 1 mpg on the highway. The big V8 in the M550i gets estimates of 17/25 mpg city/highway. Measuring plug-in hybrids is trickier; the 530e gets 26 mpg combined, 21 miles of electric-only range, and 64 MPGe combined city/highway.

Both the instrument cluster and center screen are 12.3-inch digital displays. The menus are endless but easily navigable using the touchscreen or iDrive dial controller. Standard features include SiriusXM satellite radio with a one-year paid subscription, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and USB and Bluetooth Smartphone integration.

Some of the Chiclet-sized center-stack buttons, such as those for climate control, are a bit small to locate when driving, and the cluster of buttons on the center console also requires some memorization. The 5 Series allows "preconditioning" so that you're not scorched when getting back into a car that's been sitting in a hot parking lot. The maps/navigation display is one of the industry's best, especially the resolution and accuracy of traffic-speed overlays.

The BMW 5 Series has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2022 5 Series its top Good rating.

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, complemented by automatic high beams, parking sensors, and a drowsy driver alert. Other features such as lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, and evasive steering assist are optional.

The BMW 5 Series is a proper long-haul executive commuter that offers supreme comfort and connectivity, with one of the best infotainment systems among luxury sedans. Its Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 rivals are equally cushy and classy, with each offering a slightly different approach to midsize luxury. Other competitors, like the Jaguar XF and Volvo S90, are worthy alternatives but can't match the BMW's performance or refinement.

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