BMW 5 Series

Name: 2026 BMW 5 Series
Brand: BMW

CR MPG:

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The redesigned 5 Series ups the ante on luxury, refinement, technology, and fuel efficiency, delivering an exceptional driving experience in most ways. The 530i xDrive we tested is powered by a potent and pleasing turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Along with the car’s agile handling, comfortable ride, supportive seats, and high-quality cabin, it’s no wonder that the 5 Series’ stellar road-test score lands it near the top of the midsized luxury sedan segment. The 5 Series’ biggest downside is that the controls have become more difficult to use. Other small quibbles include the steering’s overly light feel, and that the cabin—in particular the rear seat—is a bit tight, considering the car’s size; this, in spite of the fact that the new 5 Series is slightly larger than its predecessor. We bought a BMW 530i xDrive—anonymously from an area dealer, as we do with every vehicle we test—for the purpose of this road test review.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

BMW 5 Series

vs. Similar Cars

Genesis G80

Lexus ES

Lexus ES Hybrid

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

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

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

BMW vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury midsized cars Ratings

2026 BMW 5 Series

$59,900 - $123,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

In Test

2026 Audi A6

$64,100

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

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Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Audi A7

$132,700

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Genesis G80

$58,450 - $79,350

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Lexus ES

$42,140 - $52,430

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Lexus ES Hybrid

$41,020

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

$63,900 - $93,350

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Volvo S90

$58,300 - $71,200

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Volvo V90

$51,800 - $57,800

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

wagon

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Rear

electric (335 hp)
electric (593 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (255 hp)
3-liter 6 plugin hybrid (483 hp)
3-liter 6 turbo (375 hp)
4.4-liter V8 plugin hybrid (717 hp)

8-speed automatic
1-speed direct

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion 12 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance 3 years/36,000 miles

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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.