2024 BMW 5 SERİES

Overview

The 5-series has long served as BMW's middle-child sedan, offering a just-right size for buyers who can't fit a 7-series in their parking spot and for whom the 3-series feels a bit too cramped. The upcoming new generation of the 5-series doesn't deviate from this Goldilocks storyline, and it offers a spacious cabin filled with luxuries. The 5-series's new digital dashboard features BMW's iDrive 8.5 interface, and the company's hands-free driver-assistance system is available, too. Our chief complaint about the previous-generation 5 was that it sacrificed some of its athletic road manners in the name of comfort, but BMW has figured out a way to engineer some of that driver-first ethos back into its sedans. Although the current 5-series is still relatively fresh, receiving its most recent revision only a couple of years ago, this ground-up redesign is intended to keep it competitive against rivals such as the Audi A6, the Genesis G80, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class—the last of which has also been fully redesigned this year.

What's New for 2024?

BMW is preparing the next-generation 5-series sedan together with an all-electric i5 variant as well as the performance-oriented M5 sports sedan. Look for the new four-door on dealer lots in early 2024.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 BMW 5-series starts at $58.895 and goes up to $74.795 depending on the trim and options.
Although the 5-series has been redesigned for 2024, it's offered with familiar powertrains and trim levels, starting with an entry-level 530i model and culminating in a plug-in hybrid 550e xDrive trim. But our favorite setup in the last-generation model was the inline-six 540i, and we're inclined to recommend that one again.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

For 2024, the 5-series will be offered in 530i, 540i, and 550e guises, with the 530i getting a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The 540i comes with all-wheel drive standard as well as a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six. Both are augmented by a 48-volt hybrid system. At our test track, the all-wheel drive 530i xDrive hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. BMW says the 540i should be powerful enough to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The plug-in hybrid 550e is powered by an inline-six and an electric motor that combine for 483 horsepower; all-wheel drive is standard. The ride is smooth but the 530i still provides a sense of subtle athleticism. Cornering grip is generous, especially with the M Sport package's upgraded suspension. Speaking of the M Sport package, it also adds better brakes, which resulted in a heroic 156-foot stop from 70 mph at our test track. When we have the chance to test the 540i and 550e models, we'll update this story with test results and driving impressions.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The 550e xDrive plug-in hybrid carries a 19.4-kWh battery pack that we think will provide around 40 miles of driving range per charge. When we get a chance to test it for ourselves we'll update this story with real-world results.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the four-cylinder 530i should provide fuel economy of 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Estimates for the 540i or the plug-in hybrid 550e have not been released. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the 530i xDrive returned 35 mpg. For more information about the 5-series' fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Interior dimensions have increased a bit, so there should be plenty of room for adult riders to get comfortable in the front and rear seats of the 5-series, and the cabin looks appropriately deluxe. While genuine leather upholstery remains an option, BMW has included a vegan-friendly option called Veganza this time around. All models come with an automatic climate control system with vents that are cleverly integrated into the dashboard design to hide them from view. A tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard, but you can also opt for a large, fixed glass roof that extends into the rear seat area. The optional Luxury Seating package adds heated and ventilated front seats with more power adjustments and a massage feature; the Premium package adds a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and more; and the Executive package adds the panoramic glass roof as well as power rear sunshade, glass interior controls, and an interior camera.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All 5-series models come with a large curved digital panel with a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system is already in use in other BMW models such as the 7-series sedan and the iX electric SUV and has proven quite intuitive in our experience. A head-up display is optional, but all models come standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, and a video game system BMW calls AirConsole that can only be used when the car is parked.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 5-series offers the expected driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, but more advanced features—including BMW's Highway Assistant hands-free driving mode—are optional. For more information about the 5-series' 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 lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode

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