2023 BMW 5-series

Overview

Earlier generations of the BMW 5-series set benchmarks for sports-sedan road manners that we still refer to when evaluating ride and handling. But years before the 2023 5-series arrived this model moved on to a more comfort-focused mission. BMW’s executive sedan looks upscale without being ostentatious, and that stealthy appearance provides some respite from constabulary scrutiny. And that’s a good thing, especially if you order the turbocharged inline-six 540i or twin-turbo V-8 M550i models, which can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 3.5 seconds, respectively. Looking for a 5-series with a more relaxed personality? The entry-level 530i and plug-in hybrid 530e, both four-cylinder-powered, offer adequate punch and also the benefit of better fuel economy. No matter the trim, the 5-series offers plenty of space for passengers and a list of luxury and technology features that keep pace with rivals such as the Audi A6, Genesis G80, and Mercedes-Benz E-class. The fiver’s handling might not be the sharpest, but it can waft down the road as effortlessly as any mid-size luxury cruiser.

What's New for 2023?

The 5-series sedan carries over to the 2023 model year largely unchanged. The optional Premium package now includes a remote-start feature but no longer includes the company’s gimmicky gesture controls for the iDrive infotainment system. The Parking Assistance package is no longer available on 530i, 530e, and 540i models but the Executive package is now available for those cars and includes a head-up display, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, a power-operated trunk lid, and heated front seats among other items. The top-spec M550i now comes with a power rear sunshade. Three new colors—Artic Race Blue, Skyscraper Grey, and Aventurin—are now available.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The mid-range 540i continues to be the best value in the 5-series lineup, offering a nice balance of performance and comfort. This model comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. The available Convenience package seems like a wise add-on, as it includes heated front seats 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. The 540i's powertrain benefits from a little extra boost, care of a 48-volt hybrid system. Each engine 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 smooth and potent, and it makes delightful noises. Apart from the top-dog M5, which we review separately, the M550i is the athlete of the lineup, with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under its hood. In our testing, the M550i sprinted through our acceleration runs quicker than the Audi S6 and Mercedes-AMG E53, hitting 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. All 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—appears to be tuned more for comfort than driver involvement.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the four-cylinder 530i will earn up to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The six-cylinder 540i is rated at up to 25 mpg city and 32 highway. The more powerful V-8 M550i lowers those to 17 mpg city and 25 highway. All three of the models we tested overachieved in our real-world testing; the 530e delivered 34 mpg while the 540i and M550i did 31 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. For more information about the 5-series's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Rich appointments and good design make the cockpit of the 5-series a civilized space. It's 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. We've experienced the optional 20-way multi-contour front seats, which adjust in every way imaginable and provide hours of comfort. The standard seats might not be as indulgent, but you can still adjust them in 16 ways. The BMW's large trunk space is on par with what its competitors offer, fitting six carry-on suitcases back there. That said, the cabin is lacking in cubbies and storage compartments. To accommodate the battery pack, the plug-in-hybrid 530e has four fewer cubic feet of trunk space than nonhybrid models and swallows two fewer carry-on suitcases, but at least it retains its folding rear seats, unlike many other hybrids.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

A large 12.3-inch high-resolution central display comes standard on every 5-series. You can control it by using BMW's iDrive rotary knob, tapping the screen, or saying various voice commands. All 5-series models come with a digital gauge display that can be configured to show a variety of information to the driver. Navigation, a USB port, Bluetooth audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are all included in the tech suite.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Plenty of driver-assistance features are standard and additional tech is optional, including a navigation-based semi-autonomous driving mode that can even plan for upcoming lane changes based on GPS data. For more information about the 5-series's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. 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 what's offered on the Jaguar XF.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2021 BMW 530e

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$70,485 (base price: $58,195)

POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 181 hp, 258 lb-ft; permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 107 hp, 195 lb-ft; combined output, 288 hp, 310 lb-ft; 9.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.7-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP, F: 245/40R-19 98Y ★ R: 275/35R-19 100Y ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.1 in
Length: 195.8 in
Width: 73.5 in
Height: 58.4 in
Passenger volume: 99 ft³
Trunk volume: 10 ft³
Curb weight: 4308 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.2 sec
100 mph: 13.8 sec
130 mph: 28.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
1/4 mile: 13.8 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (mfr's claim): 146 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 27 MPGe
75-mph highway driving, EV/hybrid mode: 64 MPGe/32 mpg
Highway range, EV/hybrid mode: 17/380 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 26/24/29 mpg
Combined gasoline+electricity: 64 MPGe
EV range: 21 miles 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

2021 BMW 540i xDrive

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$78,235 (base price: $62,745)

ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
183 in³, 2998 cm³
Power
335 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
332 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4, F: 245/40R-19 98Y ★ R: 275/35R-19 100Y ★

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.1 in
Length: 195.8 in
Width: 73.5 in
Height: 58.2 in
Passenger volume: 99 ft³
Trunk volume: 14 ft³
Curb weight: 4187 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.7 sec
100 mph: 11.7 sec
130 mph: 21.3 sec
150 mph: 32.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 sec
1/4 mile: 13.3 sec @ 106 mph
Top speed (mfr's claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 311 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 34 mpg
Highway range: 610 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 26/23/31 mpg

More Features and Specs