BMW 5 Series

Name: 2018 BMW 5 Series
Brand: BMW

EPA MPG: 27 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 27 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

BMW continues to focus on luxury, refinement, fuel efficiency and high tech for most of its models somewhat to the detriment of handling agility. Case in point: the redesigned 2017 5 Series is the most luxurious version ever of BMW's midsized sedan. The new car is essentially the same size as the outgoing model, but marginally lighter and roomier. BMW's focus on reducing weight, adding technology, and minimizing cabin noise has resulted in a car that is remarkably satisfying but no longer among the sportiest choices. Instead, it's plush, quiet, finely crafted inside, frugal with fuel, and more user friendly than before. That makes it score among the top in its class in our road tests. With a few desirable option packages, our 530i xDrive rang in at $65,210, which is par for the course among its peers.

2018 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

BMW 5 Series

vs. Similar Cars

Audi A6

Buick LaCrosse

Cadillac XTS

Genesis G80

Lexus ES

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

2018 Luxury midsized cars Ratings

2018 BMW 5 Series

$13,675 - $21,450

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Acura RLX

$16,175 - $17,550

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Audi A6

$9,075 - $17,450

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Audi A7

$17,325 - $18,325

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 BMW 6 Series

$16,525 - $25,600

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Buick LaCrosse

$8,875 - $17,200

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Cadillac CT6

$13,500 - $22,900

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Cadillac CTS

$9,625 - $52,400

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Cadillac XTS

$12,675 - $17,075

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Genesis G80

$12,100 - $17,625

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Infiniti Q70

$12,525 - $17,600

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Jaguar XF

$7,700 - $18,350

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Lexus ES

$18,525 - $19,800

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Lexus ES Hybrid

$19,800

EPA MPG 40 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Lexus GS

$17,275 - $37,925

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Lincoln Continental

$11,125 - $16,975

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Lincoln MKZ

$8,525 - $16,575

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Maserati Ghibli

$10,775 - $15,750

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS

$18,850 - $25,625

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$14,700 - $40,025

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Volvo S90

$13,075 - $16,850

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Volvo V60

$10,350 - $17,775

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2018 Volvo V90

$17,025 - $21,075

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury midsized cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Rear

2-liter 4 plugin hybrid (248 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (248 hp)
3-liter 6 turbo (335 hp)
3-liter 6 turbodiesel (261 hp)
4.4-liter V8 turbo (456 hp)
4.4-liter V8 turbo (600 hp)

8-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2024-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 5 Series is larger than its predecessor, and has lightly smoothed-out styling. For the first time ever, the 5 Series is available with both gasoline and all-electric powertrains. Gasoline engine options are either a 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 375-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The single-motor i5 eDrive40 produces 335 hp, and the two-motor M60 xDrive makes 590 hp. BMW estimated 295 miles of driving range for the rear-wheel drive, and up to 256 miles for the all-wheel drive. The interior is luxurious and high-tech, and features an all-digital instrument display and a massive 14.9-inch center touchscreen. The back seat and trunk are generously sized. A full suite of active safety and driver assistance features is standard. Updates for 2025 included a new M5 Touring model that's powered by a 4.4-liter, 717-hp, plug-in hybrid V8. "Touring" is BMW-speak for wagon. BMW claims this hot rod wagon will deliver about 25 miles of all-electric driving.

2017-2023

2017 Redesign Year

BMW focused on adding technology and on sharpening the handling of the 2017 5 Series redesign. The midsized luxury sedan is essentially the same size as the outgoing model, but BMW says it's lighter by 220 pounds and the rear seat and the trunk are marginally roomier. Engines include a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 248 hp in the 530i and a 335-hp, 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder in the 540i, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional but standard on the V8-powered 550i. A 530e plug-in hybrid is also available. BMW's gesture control, which lets occupants wave their hands to operate certain control functions, is optional. For 2021 the 5 Series got a mild freshening that brought the latest iDrive infotainment system. Android Auto is now compatible. The 530e plug-in hybrid became more powerful. The latest update also brought a mild hybrid set up for the 540i, and the high performance, track ready M5 returns.

2011-2016

2011 Redesign Year

With the 2011 redesign, the 5 Series BMW grew larger and sacrificed a lot of its handling precision. Steering is vague and the car tends to understeer at its limits. However, fit and finish are still excellent, the engines remain powerful and refined, and the eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly. The cabin is also comfortable and roomy with excellent seats. The iDrive system has been somewhat simplified over the years, making it a bit more user-friendly. We think you won't be disappointed with the basic 528i, with or without all-wheel-drive. If you can afford it, the slick six-cylinder in the 535i is a worthy upgrade. Anything more strikes us as overkill. New four-cylinder, diesel, and hybrid variants debuted in 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively.

2004-2010

2004 Redesign Year

Prior to the introduction of this model, the BMW 5 Series had been ranked as CR's best car tested for two years. While this edition of the car flaunts slightly improved fuel economy and more room for rear-seat passengers, some of the agility of the previous generation is gone. Further, many of our testers find the iDrive multifunction control system to be less than intuitive, which detracts from their overall impression of the car. With it, some of the more involved audio and climate functions are distracting, because you frequently need to shift your eyes between the road and the display. The instruments are clear however and most of the logically placed conventional controls are lighted at night. While we still like the car, we think less of it than we did before.

1997-2003

1997 Redesign Year

Most luxury cars aren't sporty, and most sporty cars aren't luxurious. BMW's excellent 5-Series--available in both sedan and wagon forms--manages to be both. These cars handle nimbly and ride very comfortably and quietly. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, and interior detailing is flawless. Braking is excellent, and traction- and stability-control systems help maintain directional stability on slippery roads. The 525i and 530i employ invigorating inline Sixes, while the 540i uses a punchy, refined V8. The automatic transmission is extremely smooth and responsive in all versions. The line-topping M5 is an ultra-high-performance model with a price to match.