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    Current Model
    The redesigned 5 Series ups the ante on luxury, refinement, technology, and fuel efficiency. The 530i we tested uses a punchy 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive.
    We got an impressive 29 mpg overall with our AWD model. The 540i xDrive is powered by a muscular 375-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six and comes standard with AWD. Both engines are mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic. Handling is taut and agile, while the ride is firm yet compliant and composed. The front seats are well-shaped and supportive, and the rear seat is comfortable but a bit tight compared to some midsized sedans. The interior is luxurious and high-tech, and features an all-digital instrument display and a massive 14.9-inch center infotainment touchscreen. Unfortunately, the climate functions are performed through the screen, which makes them more difficult to use. A plug-in hybrid is coming as a 2025 model.
    Road Test
    Predicted Reliability
    Predicted Owner Satisfaction
    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. 
    $35,650 - $59,950
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $31,750 - $50,475
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $26,450 - $45,350
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $20,650 - $35,550
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $18,550 - $30,650
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $16,125 - $25,000
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $14,575 - $17,700
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    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.
    $10,050 - $15,075
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $9,700 - $13,300
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $8,525 - $11,675
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $6,650 - $9,150
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $6,000 - $7,700
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $6,150 - $6,975
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
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    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.
    $5,475 - $6,800
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $5,225 - $6,075
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $5,125 - $5,950
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $5,000 - $5,750
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $4,725 - $5,100
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $4,700 - $4,850
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $4,575 - $4,675
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    1997-2003
    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.
    $3,975 - $5,100
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $3,725 - $4,825
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $3,450 - $4,475
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    $3,125 - $3,975
    Average Retail Price
    RELIABILITY VERDICT
    OWNER SATISFACTION
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
    EPA MPG
    Owner Reported MPG
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