To say that the 5 Series is an important car for BMW is putting it lightly. Since its debut back in 1972, there have been around 5.6 million of the things sold, and roughly 17 per cent of all Bimmers that make their way off the forecourt today have their badges start with the prefix ‘5’.
Yet despite its importance and its success, the middle child of the BMW family hasn’t gone without its difficulties. Smaller and less luxurious than the 7 Series, but less accessible than the ubiquitous 3 Series, it’s always had to go more out of its way to show off its abilities.
To that end, this latest version of the ‘business athlete’ is the most advanced yet, with a whole host of advanced semi-autonomous technologies packaged between its sleek but aggressive new exterior.
In essence a mini 7 Series, complete with the same 'Air Breather' slats behind the front wheel arch, it features many of the same gizmos introduced on its larger sibling, and in many ways is the gateway car for introducing such advanced tech to BMW’s more everyday ranges.
Yet that old ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ tagline still expresses its influence. Sure, the car can order you a takeaway (more on that later), but it’s also lighter, more agile and more powerful than ever before.
The aim? To make the most technologically-advanced car in its class, but still one that you’ll enjoy driving. Does it succeed?
Performance - 4/5
You can spec your new 5 Series with a choice of four engines in all, starting with the entry-level 520d diesel, which produces 187bhp. For a bit more power but with emissions that are still taxman-friendly, you can instead opt for the 261bhp 530d.
If petrol’s your bag then you have a choice of the 249bhp 530i or the monster 540i, which with 523bhp and xDrive four-wheel drive as standard is quicker than the previous-gen M3. That said, it’ll be the 520d that should prove the more popular with fleet and private buyers alike here in Britain.
It mightn’t be huge on the horsepower but with 400Nm of torque the 520d is more than brisk enough for most buyers and can whisk you up the road at a decent pace when you need it to. 0-62mph takes 7.5 seconds in this car, and it accelerates smoothly and quietly with minimal fuss.
Indeed, refinement is hugely impressive in the new 5 Series, and it’s easy to forget the 520d is a diesel at times. It’s easy to forget it’s even on sometimes except when higher in the rev range for overtakes, such is the car’s silent road manners.
Although it makes less business sense, the brawnier 530d may be better for drivers who crave a little extra power
Although it makes less business sense, the brawnier 530d may be better for drivers who crave a little extra power, though. Certainly, the extra grunt is nice; you won’t get to stretch its legs anywhere near the legal limit but it makes overtaking much more effortless. A simple squeeze of the throttle and you’re away, while the 520d takes a bit more persuading.
As standard, every 5 Series now comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Hardly surprising given that a full 96 per cent of buyers specced the automatic on the previous 5 Series, and on a car like this even the purists will agree that the auto is the way to go.
It suits the car’s demeanour to a T, with shifts that are smooth and yet surprisingly fast when you put your foot down, and is free of the indecisiveness when pulling out of junctions or milling around in stop-start traffic that some other autos suffer from.
Ride and handling - 5/5
Given the importance of the 5 Series, BMW has pulled out all the stops for the new model. It’s wicked out as much as 100kg in weight courtesy of more intensive use of lightweight materials like aluminium and magnesium, something which it says makes it the lightest car in its class.
Likewise, it’s conducted a large amount of its testing here in the UK in order to hone the chassis, which BMW says is both more comfortable than before but sportier too, with much more feedback.
On top of that, xDrive four-wheel drive is available for the first time following its success in the 7 Series range, while you can now choose from a total of five different suspension and damper choices to personalise how you want it to behave.
Better than ever, then? In a nutshell, yes. The new 5 Series is really, really impressive to drive and certainly delivers on the promise of more comfort and better driving dynamics without compromising either.
There’s tonnes of grip even without the optional xDrive, while the chassis is absolutely superb
100kg lighter it may be, but it’s still a hefty car and that just makes the way that it handles itself all the more remarkable. There’s tonnes of grip even without the optional xDrive, while the chassis is absolutely superb.
Given that it corners so fantastically flat thanks to the M Sport suspension fitted to this model, you can wing this thing as hard as you like and yet there’s nary a sniff of either understeer or oversteer unless you’re really making a point of trying to bully it.
It’s supple in the corners and possesses a fantastic poise and balance, with an effortlessness to its ability that makes caning it along at 70mph feel like you’re bumbling around town at 30, regardless of where you are.
Still the benchmark drivers’ car in its class, then? Well, yes and no. It’s an amazing car to drive, there’s no doubt about that, but the fact that it feels so planted on the road means that it could be accused of occasionally feeling a bit sterile.
All that grip means it’s solid, capable and remarkably agile, but never what you’d describe as playful. It’ll destroy Autobahn lanes and country B-roads alike with inerrant, unwavering efficiency, but it’ll always feel a bit detached from it all. An Ivan Drago rather than a Rocky Balboa, if you will.
Will that matter to Johnny 5 Series Buyer? Probably not, because this class of car is required to do everything and do it well, something which the new 5 Series does flawlessly. As before mentioned, refinement and ride are absolutely impeccable and the sheer breadth of the car’s ability is astonishing.
Even in its stiffest Sport mode setting, the thing simply glides over lumps, bumps and potholes. To get the absolute best from it, the optional adaptive dampers are worthwhile given that they imperceptibly work to relax and stiffen the suspension depending on your driving style and the surface you’re on.
Interior and equipment - 5/5
As you might expect, interior fit and finish in the 5 Series are exemplary, with high-quality materials used throughout and the option to spec your car with all manner of metal/wood trim inserts and various leather finishes to create a custom appearance.
Our test model came with a cream leather interior which we might avoid for practicality reasons, but which we can’t deny looks and feels absolutely fantastic. The control layout and design are perhaps not much of a departure from regular BMW fare, but then that’s what buyers pay for when they buy this car and it’s what they expect.
It’s a real tour de force in terms of equipment too, and inherits much of the tech that’s trickled down from the new 7 Series. That means BMW Active Guard as standard along with the Personal Co-Pilot system, which allows the car to steer itself on motorways at speeds of up to 150mph.
The control layout and design are perhaps not much of a departure from regular BMW fare, but then that’s what buyers pay for
There’s a larger and more detailed HUD, which now displays contact and infotainment information as well as speed and navigation tips, along with the fantastic remote control parking function which debuted on the 7 Series, and which allows you to start and manoeuvre the car into and out of parking spaces by using the key fob like a controller.
That’s not all. The new 5 Series is at the time of writing the only car in its class which comes with a digital cockpit display screen as standard, while it also features nifty touches aimed at business customers, like Office 365 integration so you can answer work emails on the go via voice dictation and a 24/7 concierge service.
Could it be accused of being a little overstuffed? Certainly, there’s more kit and equipment inside than any one person will probably ever be able to use, but it’s brilliant to know that if you did want it it’s there, and it doesn’t detract from the car at all.
To make your choices easier, the trim layout has been simplified too. Gone is the previous Luxury trim, with only SE and M Sport remaining, but you can still configure your car’s specification with all sorts of options and packages. Be warned though, that some can get extremely pricey. Our test cars all came loaded with options which drove the price up by £10,000 or more.
Of course, the 5 Series is a car as much to be driven in as it is to drive, and there’s loads of legroom in the back seats given that the car’s wheelbase has been significantly stretched over the previous model, making it roomier inside than some previous 7 Series cars.
Headroom is alright, though the high transmission tunnel and sloping roofline makes room in the middle seat quite tight, but then this is a car you’re more likely to use to hold business meetings in rather than cart the whole family and a bootful of luggage.
Speaking of the boot though, it’s now 10 litres bigger than the previous 5 Series, bringing total capacity up to 530 litres. That’s a little bit smaller than that of rivals like the E-Class, but it’s still roomy enough for large suitcases, golf clubs or shopping bags, while an optional electric bootlid takes much of the hassle out when you’ve got your arms full of luggage.
Cost - 4.5/5
Prices for the new 5 Series range start from £36,025 on the road for the basic 520d, while the option of xDrive is an extra £2,000 for each model. The 530i starts from £40,120, while the 530d is £43,835. Sitting at the top of the range, the 540i is priced from £46,645.
That makes it priced about on par with its closest rivals like the Mercedes E-Class, the Audi A6 and the Jaguar XF, though BMW claims that the 5 Series has much more equipment as standard.
As we stated before though, beware the options packages. One of the models we tested came with more than £6,000 worth of extras, while another topped £10,000 for things like reversing cameras, leather upholstery options and memory seats.
If you’re a company driver or efficiency is a big factor for you, the 520d will be the pick of the bunch in terms of running costs. BMW claims it can return up to 68.8mpg with just 108g/km of CO2, while BIK tax is 21 per cent.
Verdict - 5/5
For four decades or so, the BMW 5 Series has set the bar in the executive saloon class, and with this latest model it continues to do so. It’s a fantastic business or company car, but show it a good stretch of road and it’ll tackle it as ably as the best drivers’ cars on the market.
It does the luxury, it does the drivability, it does the technology. It looks damn good too. In short, the new 5 Series continues to be a triumph in the executive saloon class, and one of those cars which is as close to perfect as it’s possible to be.
The one major criticism we could level at it, outside of the expense of its optional extras, is that in some respects it almost does everything too well. It’s flaws that give things character, and we get attached to character. Things that just do what they’re supposed to rarely excite us.
Is it a bit clinical? Maybe, but then it’s not the sort of car you really buy for character. You want it exactly because it delivers what it says it will, and with the utmost ability. Want something different? Go for a car like the XF. Want the class leader? The 5 Series is your car.
