2023 BMW 5 Series

It was 2017 when the BMW 5 Series last got a full redesign, entering its seventh generation. The ‘G30″ 5 Series (named for its chassis code, as BMW-philes often refer to the company’s models), is offered only as a sedan in the United States, though other markets continue getting BMW’s excellent 5 Series wagons. Happily, we still get the M5 and its even-faster companion, the M5 competition and a healthy range of powertrains including four, six and eight-cylinder choices.

Biggish sedans like this have been fading in popularity for the last few years, and the German automaker sold 2.5 X5s for every 5 Series it moved in 2021 according to data from Motor Intelligence, but the story’s the same at almost every other automaker. Many companies have responded the the popularity of SUVs by cutting their car lines, but BMW, Audi, Mercedes and other premium marques have remained steadfastly in the sedan’s corner. The 5 Series sees its most direct competition in the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but Genesis has a real winner in the G80. 

If variety is the spice of life, then the 5 Series is spicy indeed. There are five main 5 Series configurations: 530i, 540i, 530e, M550i xDrive and M5; four different powertrain configurations, rear- or all-wheel drive, a plug-in hybrid and two incredibly quick performance variants. All this makes this subtle sedan one of the most customizable models in its segment and a desirable buy for a wide variety of customers. In an age when BMW’s exterior styling is often over-the-top, the 5 harks back to a time of less controversial designs. To look at, it’s clean and spare, inside and out.

Through the magic of sport suspension and massive leaps forward in tire technology, the 5 Series manages to wrangle its two-ton-plus heft into a reasonably spirited driving experience. BMW offers M Sport suspension and brakes for all variants, but even the base setup makes the driver feel like Valtteri Bottas behind the wheel. Adaptive dampers further improve the experience, but they’re an added cost option and not available on the 530i. While there’s plenty of power and personality here, like many modern BMWs the 5 feels less connected to the driver than some of its ancestors.

BMW does a solid job with its interiors, both from materials and design standpoints, but its vehicles don’t have the same panache and unique feeling that the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class offer. Five people can ride comfortably, though the car is much better with four in tow. Back-seat passengers get decent head and legroom, and the rear bench offers good padding and support. Taller people riding in either the front or back may find themselves jockeying for position with other moderately tall people, as the midsize 5 Series does have its limitations.

The 5 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022. The car scored “Good” in all crash test categories and “Acceptable” for LATCH (car seat anchor) ease of use. The list of standard safety features is long, and BMW offers several advanced features as options. Buyers can add a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera and more. All told, the overall package is a fantastic choice for those who want a rewarding driving experience from a midsize sedan or who miss the more understated BMW visuals of the past, even if it isn’t flamboyantly luxurious.

Performance: 15/15

The 530i comes with the base engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 248 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. The 540i steps up to a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine that produces 335 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, complete with mileage-boosting 48-volt mild hybrid system. 

The 530e plug-in hybrid delivers 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque from a combined 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. 

The M550i xDrive, the athlete of the regular lineup, gets a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 rated at 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the line, the M5 brings the same turbocharged V8 with the output cranked up to 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. At the very outer limits of the 5 Series universe is the M5 CS, with 627 hp and the same 553 lb-ft, but it’s capable of running to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. All of these models use eight-speed automatic transmissions, and manuals are no longer available even in the M5.

This is a very athletic car by the standards of midsize sedans, but like many BMWs today, the new 5 Series lacks the driver-connected feel that older models had (here’s looking at you, E39). The steering sometimes feels a little numb, and the driver feels further isolated by obnoxious and unnecessary synthetic engine sounds.

The 5 Series’ impressive engine range and stout suspension help its cause, but the truth remains that the car isn’t as engaging or as fun to drive as it used to be, nor is it as exciting or fun as some rivals. That said, the M550i xDrive and M5 both flip that script on its head, as both offer tremendous speed and razor-sharp handling. Plus, with up to 627 horsepower on tap in the M5 CS, it’s easy to slip deep into extra-legal speeds while the V8 sings its intoxicating song. 

Mercedes and Audi also offer performance versions of their executive sedans, and Cadillac now challenges with the CT5-V Blackwing. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 features a rowdy turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the Audi RS6 Avant wagon offers a twin-turbocharged V8 making 591 hp and the Cadillac belts out a track-roasting 668 hp accompanied by a host of mechanical modifications from the standard V version.

Fuel Economy: 12/15 

The most efficient 5 Series is the 530e hybrid, which offers up to 26 mpg combined with gas and 64 MPGe with the hybrid system. The 530i returns 25 mpg city, 33 highway and 28 mpg combined while the 540i reaches 25, 32 and 27. The V8s drink more, of course. The M550i xDrive is rated at 17 mpg city, 25 highway and 20 mpg combined. The worst offender in the line is the M5, which returns 15 mpg in the city, 21 on the highway and 17 mpg combined. The fuel-sipping 540d Diesel was discontinued back in 2019.

The Audi A6 returns up to 23 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined with its standard four-cylinder engine. The upgraded V6 fares a little worse, returning up to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient Mercedes E-Class is also the base model, which delivers up to 26 mpg combined. The G80 also returns 26 mpg in its most efficient form.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 11/15

The BMW 5 Series took top honors in IIHS crash tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022 (a rating that has been extended to 2023 models). The car picked up “Good” scores in all crash test categories, an “Acceptable” headlights score, a “Superior” score for front vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention and “Advanced” for daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention. Every car has blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, road sign recognition, lane departure warnings, automatic high beams and more. Buyers can add a hands-free parking system, adaptive cruise, a head-up display and a surround-view parking camera with the $1,700 Driver Assistance package.

BMW knocked it out of the park from a safety standpoint, but its rivals haven’t been sitting around. Mercedes, Audi and Genesis also earned a Top Safety Pick+ with the E-Class, A6 and G80, respectively. All cars in the class offer similar standard equipment, but Genesis is considerably more generous with its tech at lower price points. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested this generation of BMW 5 Series.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

Synthetic leather upholstery is standard, which does a decent impression of the real thing. Buyers can upgrade with real leather and climate-controlled seats, and BMW offers massaging functions in certain models. The front seats are deep and supportive, offering great cushioning and remaining comfortable on long drives. Ergonomics and driver comfort are both great, reducing fatigue, and outward visibility is solid in most directions. 

Unique technology, such as a digital key and remote-activated 360-degree cameras, goes a long way to making the 5 Series more useful. The interior is reserved and looks like BMW interiors have for decades, which is a good thing. There’s plenty of space in both rows, and the rear bench is surprisingly well-padded and supportive. 

Infotainment: 13/15

Every 5 Series comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch configurable digital gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, 12 speakers and more are standard. BMW offers several upgrades, including a premium audio system and remote start, although the former Bowers & Wilkins audio system on the M5 is no more for 2023. The displays are clear and easily visible, and the cabin’s driver focus puts everything within easy reach of the driver’s seat. 

BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system offers a responsive, intuitive method for interacting with the car. The driver can interact with the system through touch, voice, gestures and the rotary iDrive controller in the center console. BMW says it used fewer switches than before, incorporating many of the car’s physical controls into the touchscreen. BMW also equips a configurable digital gauge cluster that can display maps, entertainment and other information in front of the driver.

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

The 5 Series is surprisingly practical and brings more cargo space than most in its class. People needing to haul longer items can fold down the rear seats, and the trunk opening is wide and low, making it easy to load and unload the car. There’s 14 cubic feet of space in the trunk, which is better than the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The 5 Series is a traditional sedan, so there are limits to the height of items that fit, but the overall space is wide and easy to use.

BMW did a solid job with small-item storage inside, as the vehicle offers plenty of space for phones, wallets, and even larger items like purses and bags. One big knock is the size of the cupholders, which are far too small to hold anything larger than a small to-go cup. Big-gulp water bottle users will be disappointed and may need to buy a separate adapter to fit larger containers. 

Style & Design: 9/10

BMW avoided pushing the 5 Series toward some of its other models by leaving it with a reasonably sized grille and more traditional details. The M3, 4 Series and other BMW models have evolved in recent years with a toothy, prominent grille that takes some getting used to. The sporty M550i and M5 offer aggressive styling but maintain an air of luxury and upscale appeal. 

The interior is reserved and looks like BMW interiors have for decades, which is a good thing. While the overall look is typically spartan, the automaker uses high-end materials and subdued design to convey its idea of luxury. This gives the 5 Series a grown-up, buttoned-up feel–perfect for an executive sedan. Genesis and Mercedes have frillier looks with prettier detailing, but they might also play to different tastes.

Is the 2022 BMW 5 Series Worth it? Which 5 Series is the Best Value? 

The BMW 5 Series is objectively a better choice than most other cars in its segment. That said, it gets expensive quickly, and top trims can be unobtainable for most car buyers. The 540i xDrive ($62,595 including a $995 destination fee) hits all the 5 Series high notes while maintaining a mostly reasonable price tag. 

Buyers wanting more performance can make a big price jump to the M550i xDrive ($80,895), but the M5 ($109,895) and M5 CS ($117,495) are probably expensive overkill for all but the most power-hungry buyers.

Mercedes and Audi offer compelling alternatives to the 5 Series, each with their own pros and cons. Both brands’ interiors are nicer than BMW’s, but in lower trims their powertrains and feature offerings don’t quite align with those of the 5 Series. On the performance side, Audi wins with a twin-turbocharged V8-powered RS6 wagon and Cadillac with the CT5-V Blackwing. Mercedes isn’t currently selling the top-dog E 63 S, but the less powerful (but still insanely quick) E 53 is still on sale and it compares well to the M550i xDrive.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series’ insurance costs vary wildly from model to model, but are a little higher than it competitors. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an annual premium between $2,961 (530i) and $5,364 (M5 CS), though this averages all 50 states. Competitors like the Genesis G80 would cost between $2,546 and $2,744 to ensure, while the Audi A6 runs between $2,872 and $3,349 and the Volvo S90 between $2,959 and $3,210. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.