2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan
Pros
- Wide range of new and innovative technology features
- Larger size didn't result in added weight
- Powerful engines are still relatively fuel-efficient
Cons
- Evolutionary styling doesn't stand out in a crowded class
2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan pricing
in Ashburn, VAEdmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
With a new platform and new engines, the 2017 BMW 5 Series looks to reaffirm its standing in the midsize luxury sedan segment. It distinguished itself decades ago as a driver's car and has since evolved into a sophisticated, comfortable sedan that attempts to be all things to most people. In the process, the 5 Series traded some of its driver's car chops for a more isolated feel. The 2017 model doesn't stray far from this contemporary vision of the 5 Series. And despite being a hair larger and bringing an arsenal of technology to bear, the new car manages to avoid the weight bloat that afflicts many such attempts.
BMW didn't take any chances with its successful product. The new 5 Series grows in length by 1.2 inches and stands 0.6 inch taller than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase and width are nearly unchanged. The updated cabin primarily benefits backseat passengers, who gain 1.2 inches of legroom. These modest changes to its footprint, combined with the evolutionary styling, mean the new car is readily familiar.
Under the skin, the new 5 Series keeps its weight in check by employing lightweight and strong metals such as aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel. Weight is said to be reduced by up to 137 pounds, though that's the best-case scenario. Expect the real-world weight savings compared with last year's 5 Series to be negligible. That's because the new 5 Series is packed with technology that offsets the weight saved in the structure. It even borrows some of its cabin features from its bigger brother, the 7 Series.
The 2017 BMW 5 Series' most direct foe is its crosstown rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which brings a formidable combination of style, comfort and performance. Likewise, the Audi A6 manages to feel light on its feet and has an outstanding cabin. The Lexus GS 350 is a finely crafted competitor, and we're also fond of the impressive-handling Cadillac CTS.
The 2017 BMW 5 Series comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors.
Available safety features include a lane departure warning system, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, semi-automated steering, and a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking.
2017 BMW 5 Series configurations
The 2017 BMW 5 Series is a five-passenger, four-door sedan available in two trim levels that each indicate a different engine: the 530i and the 540i. All-wheel drive is optional and denoted by the xDrive moniker.
The 2017 BMW 530i comes standard with LED adaptive headlights, 18-inch wheels, driver-selectable vehicle settings (altering steering, transmission response and throttle calibration), LED accent lights, LED foglights, power-folding and auto-dimming heated mirrors, automatic wipers, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone automatic cruise control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver and passenger 16-way-adjustable sport seats with power-adjustable side bolsters and driver memory functions, a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and premium vinyl upholstery. Standard technology features include the iDrive interface (knob/button controller and 10.3-inch display), a navigation system, gesture and voice controls, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, BMW emergency services, and a 205-watt, 12-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port, a media player interface and 20 gigabytes of digital music storage.
Options include a 600-watt, 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system or a 1,400-watt, 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, 20-way-adjustable multicontour driver and front passenger seats with ventilation and massage, a rear-wheel steering system and adaptive dampers. The Adaptive Drive system package combines the adaptive dampers with active stabilizer bars.
An M Sport package includes unique body trim, a lowered suspension and 19-inch wheels, a sport leather steering wheel and unique interior trim. Twenty-inch wheels are optional on the 540i when the M Sport package is selected.
The Rear-Seat Entertainment Professional package includes two 10.2-inch screens in the back of the front seats, a DVD player and USB ports.
The 2017 BMW 530i is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that develops 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque is found in all 540i models. All-wheel drive is optional on both models, and all 2017 5 Series models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission; no manual gearbox is available.
BMW says the 530i will reach 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and the 540i does the feat in 4.9 seconds. All-wheel-drive variants shave these figures by 0.2 second, respectively.
The EPA says the rear-wheel-drive 530i will achieve 27 mpg combined (24 city/34 highway). The thirstiest variant, the 540i xDrive, will get 23 mpg combined (20 city/29 highway).
Driving
During a short preview drive, both the 530i and the 540i felt more than capable of delivering long-distance comfort and the kind of performance necessary to uphold the 5 Series' reputation as a sport sedan. The smoother power delivery of the 540i makes it the one to get if you like the idea of always having something in reserve, but the 530i will satisfy everyone else.
Interior
Continuing the evolutionary progression established by the exterior styling, the cabin's design theme bears close resemblance to that of the outgoing car. The dashboard is mounted a bit lower, but the arrangement of the center stack is very similar. With gesture controls lifted from the 7 Series, plus touchscreen, the iDrive controller knob and voice control, there's an interface that will work for anybody.
Another feature shared with the 7 Series is a remote self-parking function that can be operated from outside the car. (Tesla has a similar feature.) There's also a system to remotely operate the car's bird's eye surround-view function from your smartphone.
Front-seat occupants enjoy the same spacious accommodations as in the outgoing car, and there's more than an inch of additional legroom in the backseat. The optional multicontour seats come with touch-sensitive adjustment controls on the edge of the seat that, in turn, open the seat control menu on the central screen.
Cargo space increases a hair over last year's model, growing from 18.4 to 18.7 cubic feet. It was already an amply sized cargo hold, so the new car's trunk won't disappoint.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 BMW 5 Series.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2017 BMW 5 Series video
SPEAKER: BMW just unveiled their all new 5 Series for 2017 and it's set to go on sale as early as next month. Now they'll probably have the usual line of 5 Series, but they brought two of the more exciting models here. To my left, we have the 530e iPerformance hybrid. That's a plug-in hybrid as well as a V8 twin turbo charged M550i xDrive. That's a mouthful. Now at first glance, unless you're a BMW fanatic, you might have some difficulty picking out the differences between this model and the previous one, but BMW's actually said that they've cut as much as 220 pounds from the last model, which is a huge difference. Other cool things -- BMW's actually added a new technology that's going to further increase the autonomous capabilities of the 5 Series. We're looking forward to testing those features out for ourselves pretty soon. So now you have an overview of the new 5 Series. If there's anything that you want me to check out personally, let me know in the comments and be sure to subscribe to Edmunds for more videos.
2017 BMW 5 Series First Look
The BMW 5 Series is all-new for 2017. The exterior styling isn't a huge departure from the previous model, but the new 5 Series is more powerful, significantly lighter in weight and packed with a ton of technology that expands its autonomous driving capabilities.
Features & Specs
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See your car's valueThe BMW nameplate is practically synonymous with luxury sport sedans. And the all-new 2017 BMW 5 Series carries on the Bavarian automaker's longstanding tradition of providing shoppers with a selection of models intended to strike a balance between comfort and performance. The styling of the midsize 5 Series hasn't been radically changed. It remains a sleek design, elegant yet muscular, crafted around a cabin that can seat five with a trunk large enough to hold a fair amount of luggage.
For 2017, the 5 Series grows incrementally larger than the outgoing model but sheds up to 137 pounds, thanks to the use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel construction. There are new available advanced chassis systems with Dynamic Damper Control and active steering — which can be combined with xDrive, BMW's all-wheel-drive system — as well as a host of new driver-assist features. Other changes include technology updates, such as a new iDrive user interface, available gesture control and a head-up display.
Powerplant choices include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which generates 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and comes standard in the base 530i, and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six that comes in the 540i and produces 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance M550i, arriving later, is equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that puts out 456 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. All models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
EPA fuel economy figures for the 2017 BMW 5 Series have not yet been released.
Handling has always been a BMW strong suit, and the revamped 5 Series is no exception. The new models ride on revamped suspension, double wishbone in front and five-link in the rear, with electronically controlled antiroll bars. Available multiple drive modes — Adaptive, Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro — allow drivers to alter the suspension settings and other characteristics to match conditions and personal taste. And buyers looking for even better handling can opt for the M Sport suspension package, which adds firmer components, lower ride height, larger wheels and performance tires.
The well-designed, upscale interior of the new 5 Series has been moderately revised. There's still plenty of space for front-seat occupants, and an additional 1.2 inches of legroom has been added to the rear compartment. Power sport bucket seats are standard, and heated and cooled versions with massage are available. A plethora of the latest advanced technology, safety and convenience features are either standard or available.
The base 530i comes extremely well equipped with enough comfort and tech equipment to satisfy many buyers, including dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control; although a host of packages and optional accessories are available. Moving up to the 540i brings the higher performance of the turbocharged six-cylinder engine and, BMW says, a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.9 seconds. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2017 BMW 5 Series that best meets your needs.
2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan Overview
The 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan is offered in the following styles: 530i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), 540i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), 540i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and 530i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A).
What do people think of the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 5 Series Sedan 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 5 Series Sedan.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 5 Series Sedan featuring deep dives into trim levels including 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Read our full review of the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan here.Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
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Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan and all available trim types: 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, etc. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2017 BMW 5 Series?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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2017 BMW 5 Series Information
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